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Showing papers in "Oryx in 1979"





Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: The author suggests that the number taken for food, especially for the tourist restaurants on Mahe, is excessive and should be curbed; tree-felling in suitable roosting areas should also be discouraged.
Abstract: Counts of the two endemic bats in the Seychelles in 1977 suggested that the fruit bat Pteropus seychellensis occurred in large numbers on Praslin and La Digue. But the author suggests that the number taken for food, especially for the tourist restaurants on Mahe, is excessive and should be curbed; tree-felling in suitable roosting areas should also be discouraged. The other bat, the small insectivorous Coleura seychellensis, is clearly endangered — only six were found despite an extensive search — and complete protection is called for.

20 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: The Himalayan tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus occurs along the southern flanks of the Himalaya, from the Pir Panjal Range in northern India eastwards through Nepal to Sikkim, between 1500m and 5200m.
Abstract: The Himalayan tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus occurs along the southern flanks of the Himalaya, from the Pir Panjal Range in northern India eastwards through Nepal to Sikkim, between 1500m and 5200m. It is also reported as being ‘not uncommon’ at 1500–2100m in southwest Bhutan. It is the only one of the three surviving tahr species that is not endangered. In Nepal its formerly continuous distribution has been disrupted by traditional land-use practices, which are spreading due to the increasing human population, and some hunting. Schaller mapped 14 populations known to occur in Nepal, but many more undoubtedly exist.

16 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: In 1969, an investigation supported by the FPS/WWF Revolving Fund established that there had been wholesale collecting of tortoises Testudo graeca throughout Morocco as mentioned in this paper, but only in the Oued Souss valley of south-west Morocco were they to be found in any numbers.
Abstract: In 1969 an investigation supported by the FPS/WWF Revolving Fund established that there had been wholesale collecting of tortoises Testudo graeca throughout Morocco. The three exporting dealers reported that tortoises were very sparse in the Casablanca region, their exporting centre; only in the Oued Souss valley of south-west Morocco were they to be found in any numbers. The total Moroccan population in 1969 was estimated to be about five million, occupying an area of approximately 162,000 sq km at a mean density of around 30 per sq km. Because so few were found (only 23), comparisons in abundance between different regions were made only in relative terms; the effects of bulk trade collection on population size and structure could not be pinpointed. Routine size/weight measurements were made in relation to age, sex and maturity; air temperature measurements were recorded in relation to activity and time of year.

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Rodney Jackson1
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: In this paper, the author spent two months in the winter of 1976-77 in the Langu Valley in the Nepalese Himalaya, and was convinced that numbers are declining due to over-hunting, a decline in their natural prey, and the increased use of alpine pastures by man and his livestock.
Abstract: Snow leopards are shy and nocturnal, inhabiting high and difficult mountain country. Nevertheless the author, who spent two months in the winter of 1976–77 in the Langu Valley in the Nepalese Himalaya, is convinced that numbers are declining due to over-hunting, a decline in their natural prey, and the increased use of alpine pastures by man and his livestock. Probably none of Nepal's mountain parks harbour snow leopards, and a large sanctuary for them is urgently needed.

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: The only living representative of the Dermatemydidae, a turtle family known from as early as the Cretaceous, its closest living relatives are the mud turtles (Kinosternidae), and it is not as closely related to the snapping turtles (Chelydridae) as previously thought.
Abstract: A large river turtle Dermatemys mawei, found only in the coastal lowlands of the Gulf of Mexico, is becoming rare throughout most of its restricted range. It is found from central Veracruz, Mexico, eastward through Guatemala and Belize, but not in the Yucatan Peninsula, and it is heavily hunted for its meat. The only living representative of the Dermatemydidae, a turtle family known from as early as the Cretaceous, its closest living relatives are the mud turtles (Kinosternidae), and it is not as closely related to the snapping turtles (Chelydridae) as previously thought.4,5,9,20 In the latest classification of turtles the Dermatemydidae are placed in the Superfamily Trionychoidea of the Infraorder Cryptodira.

12 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: In 1965, a resident of the Falkland Islands, made an aerial survey of seal populations, concentrating mainly on sealions, because numbers appeared to be declining as mentioned in this paper, and his results showed a drastic decline in sealion numbers, and he believes that they are still a fair indication of the situation today.
Abstract: In 1965 the author, a resident of the Falkland Islands, made an aerial survey of seal populations, concentrating mainly on sealions, because numbers appeared to be declining. His results showed a drastic decline in sealion numbers, and he believes that they are still a fair indication of the situation today. In this article he surveys the history of sealing in the islands, describes his census, discusses results and the possible causes for the decline, and urges the need for a full official census.

11 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: Are the seabird colonies in the Galapagos Islands harmed by the ever increasing numbers of tourists?
Abstract: Are the seabird colonies in the Galapagos Islands harmed by the ever increasing numbers of tourists? So far the National Park authorities have been able to safeguard the main nesting grounds from trampling by keeping visitors to prescribed paths, but the birds could be harmed in other ways and these need to be investigated. The author describes the research he is doing to find out the facts. This work has been aided by a grant from the Oryx 100% Fund.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: In March 1979 rhino horn imports were totally banned in Hong Kong, but the authors believe that the price in North Yemen will continue to rise, and with it the demand for rhinoceros horn.
Abstract: Between 1969 and 1976 the price of rhino horn in Kenya rose 446 per cent — from K£8.24 per kilogram to K–44.6. Between 1972 and 1976 the average amount exported each year represented the product of 1197 rhinos. Most of it went to Hong Kong, but demand was rising in southern Arabia, especially North Yemen. In March 1979 rhino horn imports were totally banned in Hong Kong, but the authors believe that the price in North Yemen will continue to rise, and with it the demand for rhino horn.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: The black rhino is now making a come-back thanks to the efforts of the National Parks Boards and other authorities as mentioned in this paper, and successful translocations have been achieved in three national parks, including the Kruger, and two reserves, and more are planned.
Abstract: Nearly exterminated in southern Africa in the 19th century, the black rhino is now making a come-back thanks to the efforts of the National Parks Boards and other authorities. Successful translocations have been achieved in three national parks, including the Kruger, and two reserves, and more are planned.


Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: In this article, two scientists resident in Kenya describe the desperate situation to which poaching has brought the black rhino in East Africa, and the IUCN/SSC African Rhino Group.
Abstract: These extracts from a memorandum by two scientists resident in Kenya describe the desperate situation to which poaching has brought the black rhino in East Africa. Dr Hillman is Chairman of the IUCN/SSC African Rhino Group.



Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: In this paper, Gray's monitor lizard was known to science only by two museum specimens, neither of which gave any data more precise than "Luzon" which identified an area on Luzon, and in 1976 he went to the Philippines and found this large monitor, which some scientists had thought might be extinct, widely distributed in forests in southern Luzon.
Abstract: Until 1976 Gray's monitor lizard was known to science only by two museum specimens, neither of which gave any data more precise than ‘Luzon’. In 1975 the author discovered a third which identified an area on Luzon, and in 1976 he went to the Philippines and found this large monitor, which some scientists had thought might be extinct, widely distributed in forests in southern Luzon. But large areas of these forests have been and continue to be destroyed, and with them go the monitor’s habitat. Also local people hunt it for meat. The author discusses the ecology and distribution of the monitor and urges that a new national park be created.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: The wildlife of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia is a remarkable mixture of Asian and Australasian forms, with many endemic species. But it is being rapidly destroyed as a result of timber logging, hunting and agriculture as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The wildlife of the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia is a remarkable mixture of Asian and Australasian forms, with many endemic species. But it is being rapidly destroyed as a result of timber logging, hunting and agriculture. However, Dr MacKinnon, who is manager for two World Wildlife Fund projects in North Sulawesi, believes that action now could save most of the larger animals. With Indonesia's new interest in conservation he is optimistic that this will be achieved.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: The effect of management in Kanha National Park, where the bans on stock grazing and tree felling and the removal of villages have benefited two endangered species, shows the need for more study and understanding of the large herbivores in order to manage the park successfully.
Abstract: The author, who has studied and advised on wildlife management and park problems in Africa, describes some of the differences he noted in India. He looks at the effects of management in Kanha National Park, where the bans on stock grazing and tree felling and the removal of villages have benefited two endangered species—tiger and barasingha—and shows the need for more study and understanding of the large herbivores in order to manage the park successfully.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: The white-winged guan Penelope albipennis, an endemic Peruvian bird thought to be extinct, was rediscovered in September 1977 and it is believed now that a few hundred of the birds may survive, and if protected could become a viable population as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The author was one of the first people to see the white-winged guan Penelope albipennis, an endemic Peruvian bird thought to be extinct, after its rediscovery in September 1977. It is believed now that a few hundred of the birds may survive, and if protected could become a viable population. But some are taken for food, and it is urgent to create a sanctuary for them. The author is Head of the Department of Ornithology and Mammalogy in the Natural History Museum in Lima.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: In two years the new Wildlife Foundation in Argentina has created two reserves, one to protect a new species of grebe that was only discovered in 1974 in its only known habitat, the other to protect the endangered endemic race of the pampas deer as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In two years the new Wildlife Foundation in Argentina has created two reserves, one to protect a new species of grebe that was only discovered in 1974 in its only known habitat, the other to protect the endangered endemic race of the pampas deer.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: An analysis of the ways in which technical assistance is deployed by the international organisations leads Dr Curry-Lindahl to answer his title question with a firm ‘yes’.
Abstract: A Vice-President of the FPS, Dr Curry-Lindahl has long experience as a scientist studying wildlife in the field, especially in Africa, as adviser on ecology and conservation to African governments, as a Council member of IUCN and as a staff member of both UNESCO and UNEP. This analysis of the ways in which technical assistance is deployed by the international organisations leads him to answer his title question with a firm ‘yes’. This address was given to the FPS at the Annual General Meeting in London on July 4.



Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: Siberut, the largest of the Mentawai Islands, has a remarkable fauna with at least ten endemic mammal species as mentioned in this paper, which include four primates, one endemic bird, thirteen endemic bird subspecies, and probably endemic insects, reptiles and amphibians still to be discovered.
Abstract: Siberut, the largest of the Mentawai Islands, has a remarkable fauna with at least ten endemic mammal species — which include four primates — one endemic bird, thirteen endemic bird subspecies, and probably endemic insects, reptiles and amphibians still to be discovered. Until the 20th century the Siberut people lived in harmony with their environment, but modern practices are changing their ways, destroying their culture, and threatening the wildlife. The author describes the wildlife, the people, and the programme planned to help both in this difficult transition.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 1979-Oryx
TL;DR: Indonesia, a land of forests, is still rich in wildlife, with tigers, rhinos, orang-utans and even elephants still surviving despite the enormous pressures of human population as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Indonesia, a land of forests, is still rich in wildlife, with tigers, rhinos, orang-utans and even elephants still surviving despite the enormous pressures of human population. But saving the wildlife means preserving large areas of forest, and timber is Indonesia's second largest export. However, the Government has now committed itself to a conservation programme that includes the promise of 100,000 sq km of nature reserves by 1984. Since 1974 John Blower has been in charge of a UNDP/FAO Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Project, selecting areas for conservation in national parks and other reserves, and drafting legislation and management plans. WWF has promised $1 million to support the schemes. The author has high hopes that Indonesia/s foresters are coming to realise that conservation and sustained-yield timber production can be combined to the benefit of both.

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Nov 1979-Oryx