Showing papers in "Oryx in 1973"
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TL;DR: The author's 1972 census of the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes, which straddle the Zaire–Rwanda–Uganda borders, shows a small but still declining population.
Abstract: The author's 1972 census, following one the previous year, of the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Volcanoes, which straddle the Zaire–Rwanda–Uganda borders, shows a small but still declining population. All the signs, including the behaviour of the gorillas, one of which fled screaming at the sight of one of the observers, suggests that the decline is due largely to human interference. As the entire area has national park or game reserve status the urgent need is to enforce the law.
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TL;DR: The black lechwe of northern Zambia are today confined entirely to one area, the Bangweulu floodplain, and poaching is the cause of their numbers shrinking from more than half a million as recently as 50 years ago to an estimated 16,000 today as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The black lechwe of northern Zambia are today confined entirely to one area, the Bangweulu floodplain. Numbers have shrunk from more than half-a-million as recently as 50 years ago to an estimated 16,000 today. The authors, who have been engaged in a 3½-year research project on these lechwe, are able to show that the numbers today are well below the carrying capacity of the floodplains, and that poaching is the cause. The highly specialised lechwe is the only mammal capable of exploiting the high fertility of the floodplain, which could support ten times the present numbers. Allowed to increase and properly managed on sustained yield principles, the black lechwe could provide a large quantity of badly needed protein in Zambia.
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TL;DR: The author spent three years (1969–1972) in Niger's National Park W (sq called because of its shape), working for the Government as a wildlife biologist, and contains notes on the three animals that have become extinct in Niger in the last few decades and also on those that are rapidly disappearing today.
Abstract: The author spent three years (1969–1972) in Niger's National Park W (sq called because of its shape), working for the Government as a wildlife biologist. This article contains notes on the three animals that have become extinct in Niger in the last few decades and also on those that are rapidly disappearing today.
TL;DR: The following are taken from Dr Koford's ‘interim conservation review’—his final report will come later this year—together with some points from his separate reports on ten Latin American countries.
Abstract: Dr Karl B. Koford spent seven months last year studying the status and distribution of the spotted cats, especially jaguar and ocelot, in tropical America from Mexico south to Brazil and Argentina. This project, to which FPS contributed through the Oryx 100% Fund, is mainly funded by the International Fur Trade Federation (as part of the agreement in December 1970 that introduced a voluntary ban on the use of five endangered fur species, including leopards and the cheetah), the Frankfurt Zoological Society and WWF. The following is taken from Dr Koford's ‘interim conservation review’—his final report will come later this year—together with some points from his separate reports on ten Latin American countries.
TL;DR: In 1965 there were eleven populations of the already declining northern race of the swamp deer in Uttar Pradesh, in northern India; by 1972 eight of these had disappeared, either through habitat destruction, such as the planting of eucalyptus and cultivation, crop protection shooting or poaching.
Abstract: In 1965 there were eleven populations of the already declining northern race of the swamp deer in Uttar Pradesh, in northern India; by 1972 eight of these had disappeared, either through habitat destruction, such as the planting of eucalyptus and cultivation, crop-protection shooting or poaching. Probably only the fact that the meat is tough and the skin poor have saved the deer from disappearing completely in the state. The author describes a brief survey he made in the summer of 1972, estimates numbers and status, describes the threats, and lists the immediate needs for a conservation programme. The author is Staff Ecologist with IUCN.
TL;DR: The beautiful colobus monkey is not yet an endangered species but the author fears that it may become one if the trade in the skins continues at its present level as mentioned in this paper, and suggests that full protection should be given now, before the animal has to go in the Red Data Book.
Abstract: The beautiful colobus monkey is not yet an endangered species but the author fears that it may become one if the trade in colobus skins continues at its present level He describes a short survey he made in Kenya and Tanzania, where colobus rugs are a popular item in tourist shops; in only two months he either saw or was told about stocks of skins representing over 27,000 colobus monkeys killed He suggests that full protection should be given now—before the animal has to go in the Red Data Book—with a ban on all trade in colobus skins until populations can be assessed
TL;DR: More leopard skins are being sold in 1973 than ever before, and the supply cannot keep up with the demand—despite the moratorium recommended by the International Fur Trade Federation.
Abstract: Leopards still occur in considerable numbers in Ethiopia, but cheetahs, though widespread, are not numerous and are still declining, according to this report of the author's survey of their status, made in January–February 1973 for IUCN. And the pressures on both species are too great to allow even present numbers to be maintained. The trade in skins flourishes, despite protection, and villagers and city merchants alike boast of their ability to supply skins at any time, often in considerable quantities. More leopard skins are being sold in 1973 than ever before, and the supply cannot keep up with the demand—despite the moratorium recommended by the International Fur Trade Federation.
TL;DR: The Sudan today has three National Parks and fifteen game reserves, and in addition there are sanctuaries and forest reserves where hunting is forbidden.
Abstract: The Sudan today has three National Parks and fifteen game reserves. In addition there are sanctuaries and forest reserves where hunting is forbidden. Dinder National Park covers 7120 sq. km (2750 sq. miles) and lies 406 km (315 miles) south-east from Khartoum, near the Ethiopian border in Blue Nile Province. Its fine assemblage of game includes elephant (during the rains), hippopotamus, giraffe, buffalo, roan antelope, waterbuck, tiang, greater kudu, red-fronted and Soemmering's gazelle, reedbuck, bushbuck, oribi, duiker, Salt's dikdik, warthog, bush pig, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyaena, wild dog, grivet and red hussar monkeys, and baboon. According to Dr William Dasmann (in litt. August 1972) the status of tora and lelwel hartebeest is uncertain. It has been decided not to reintroduce hippopotamus as poachers would be the only gainers. Southern National Park, covering 16,835 sq km (6500 sq miles) in Bahrel-Ghazal Province, comprises mainly wooded country and the animals include elephant, white rhinoceros, hippopotamus, giraffe, buffalo, giant eland, roan antelope, waterbuck, tiang, lelwel hartebeest, reedbuck, bushbuck, oribi, duiker, warthog, lion, leopard, serval, hyaena and wild dog.
TL;DR: A survey of the evidence for the yeti's existence and likely identity can be found in this article, where the authors point out that the misleadingly named "abominable snowman" is not a creature of the snows at all, but should be looked for in the dense Himalayan forests, which could support it.
Abstract: In this survey of the evidence for the yeti's existence and likely identity, the authors point out that the misleadingly named ‘abominable snowman’ is not a creature of the snows at all, but should be looked for in the dense Himalayan forests, which could support it. At present the authors are engaged in studying one such forest area, the Arun Valley between Everest and Kanchenjunga, on behalf of the Thailand Association for the Conservation of Wildlife. In January this year they reported having had ‘three incidents involving yeti so far, but only one yielded solid evidence’. On December 18 Cronin's and Emery's tent on a ridge in the upper Arun ‘was visited by an animal which left tracks that are not referable to any known animal’—see the photograph by Jeflrey McNeely on the next page.
TL;DR: The author argues the case for using eggs from the wild in these particular areas, and also urges the importance of allowing a turtle industry that will bring profit to the islanders — and no one else.
Abstract: The successful breeding of hawksbill turtles on experimental farms on islands in the Torres Strait, north of Australia, has persuaded the islanders to leave the turtle eggs (formerly taken for food) for the farms. The author argues the case for using eggs from the wild in these particular areas, and also urges the importance of allowing a turtle industry that will bring profit to the islanders — and no one else.
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TL;DR: The author went to Niger in August–September 1972 to report and advise on the wildlife situation as a result of a report by two residents describing the serious and continuing decline in Niger's wildlife, especially among the larger desert mammals.
Abstract: The author went to Niger in August–September 1972 to report and advise on the wildlife situation. This was as a result of a report by two residents, Mr and Mrs Barry Humphrey, describing the serious and continuing decline in Niger's wildlife, especially among the larger desert mammals, and the government's inability to raise the necessary money and manpower to protect it In particular, poaching in the W National Park in the south, and hunting mainly by Europeans in the Air Mountains in the north, where a large French mining company has concessions, are seriously depleting wildlife populations, notably addax and scimitar-horned oryx, both vulnerable species in the Red Data Book, and both desert-living species that can survive in the drought-ridden areas where cattle are dying and people starving. This article covers the gist of his report and recommendations.
TL;DR: In Botswana and Zambia last July/August, 13 members of the FPS, escorted by Dr David Jenkins, received a very special welcome and were entertained and helped by conservationists and addressed by the Zambian Minister of State.
Abstract: Thirteen members of the FPS, escorted by Dr David Jenkins, received a very special welcome in Botswana and Zambia last July/August. Not only did they see a wealth of wildlife, they were entertained and helped by conservationists and addressed by the Zambian Minister of State; they were also able to hear from and have discussions with workers in the field which gave them an insight into some conservation problems and made their trip 'very worthwhile'.
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TL;DR: Covering more than a million and a half acres, Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia has great possibilities as a wildlife sanctuary, but fanning, sport and hunting take precedence over wildlife except in the highest parts that are difficult of access.
Abstract: Covering more than a million and a half acres, Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia has great possibilities as a wildlife sanctuary. But fanning, sport and hunting take precedence over wildlife except in the highest parts that are difficult of access. The author spent a month in the park in 1971, making a film for BBC television.