Showing papers in "Oryx in 1989"
TL;DR: The decline of the jaguar in the 1970s reflected the large trade in their skins as discussed by the authors and since 1973, when the species was listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the threat from the commercial skin trade has abated.
Abstract: The decline of the jaguar in the 1970s reflected the large trade in their skins. Since 1973, when the species was listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the threat from the commercial skin trade has abated. However, habitat destruction and opportunistic killing continue. If the jaguar is to persist into the future, local people must be convinced that conserving jaguars has long-term benefits for them.
64 citations
TL;DR: The authors of as mentioned in this paper argue that even if these could be remedied in future similar projects, a wildlife rescue operation cannot compensate in any way for the loss of important wildlife habitat.
Abstract: The Chiew Larn Dam, Thailand's thirteenth, was completed in 1986 and the resulting flooding will destroy 165 sq km of the country's largest remaining area of lowland evergreen rain forest. For the first time ever in Thailand a rescue operation was carried out to try to save some of the wildlife, which includes threatened and endangered species, stranded on islands as the waters rose. In 18 months 1364 animals of 116 species were captured, but 44 died soon after. The survivors were released into protected areas nearby. The operation can be judged successful in some ways, but there were many shortcomings. The author, who was Field Director of the rescue operation, argues that even if these could be remedied in future similar projects, a wildlife rescue operation cannot compensate in any way for the loss of important wildlife habitat.
57 citations
TL;DR: Based on samples of ivory trade data, recent population modelling and field data, the implications of the ivory trade for the future survival of viable populations of African elephants are discussed in this article.
Abstract: The scientific community now agrees that, more than anything else, it is the killing of African elephants for the ivory trade that has caused the very dramatic declines in elephant populations witnessed over the past decade Based on samples of ivory trade data, recent population modelling and field data, the authors discuss the implications of the ivory trade for the future survival of viable populations of African elephants
28 citations
TL;DR: It is surprising to read that many of the disease organisms that could potentially be carried by vampires were not found or were of insignificant incidence in the wild.
Abstract: 0.2 per cent are attributable to this bat. Of course, these losses are concentrated (in time and locality), when they may be severe. And rabies is not the only vampire-related problem: these bats are also important in initiating outbreaks of surra and the wounds they leave provide access to other micro-organisms and insects, including screw-worm. But it is surprising to read that many of the disease organisms that could potentially be carried by vampires were not found or were of insignificant incidence in the wild. The book also allays common misconceptions about vampires and rabies, such as that the bats cannot be asymptomatic healthy carriers of the virus. A chapter on the control of vampire-borne rabies discusses the pros and cons of various methods, including the potential of oral vaccines, and the strategies for their application.
27 citations
TL;DR: The authors found evidence of five sub-populations, more or less isolated from each other and living in forests that are increasingly threatened by destruction and where hunting might kill one-and-a-half times as many gorillas as are born each year.
Abstract: There had been no news of Nigeria's gorillas for 30 years when in 1987 rumours began to circulate that they survived in the south-east part of the country. At the end of the year the authors conducted a survey in the area and confirmed that gorillas were indeed present. They found evidence of five sub-populations, more or less isolated from each other and living in forests that are increasingly threatened by destruction and where hunting might kill one-and-a-half times as many gorillas as are born each year. Nevertheless, the authors suggest that the future of these attractive animals could be ensured, with adequate control of hunting and the development of gorilla-viewing tourism in the region.
24 citations
TL;DR: Clouded leopards were believed to be extinct in Nepal, the last published record being from 1863, but in 1987-1988 four individuals were found in the country as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Clouded leopards were believed to be extinct in Nepal, the last published record being from 1863, but in 1987–1988 four individuals were found in the country. These findings extend the known range of the species westward and suggest that clouded leopards are able to survive and breed in degraded woodlands and scrub previously supporting moist subtropical semi-deciduous forest. One of the clouded leopards was radio-collared, the first free-ranging individual to be so, and tracked for several days after its release in Royal Chitwan National Park. The translocation was unsuccessful—the leopard rapidly travelled towards the site from which it was captured.
23 citations
21 citations
TL;DR: The Souss valley in Morocco still has remnants of forest dominated by the argan tree, which is endemic to the Atlantic coast of north-west Africa as mentioned in this paper. But modern developments have destroyed or damaged much of it, especially in the lowlands.
Abstract: The Souss Valley in Morocco still has remnants of forest dominated by the argan tree, which is endemic to the Atlantic coast of north-west Africa. The tree is valued for its edible oil and its timber and the argan forest ecosystem is rich in species. The forest has been exploited sustainably by man tor thousands of years, but modern developments have destroyed or damaged much of it, especiallyin the lowlands. The author, who worked in the region for three years, is alarmed at the rapidly increasing destruction. He makes a plea for effective protection of the remaining argan torest and for a plan for its sustainable exploitation.
20 citations
TL;DR: The Peruvian diving petrel Pelecanoides garnotii is endemic to the Peruvian or Humboldt Current and there are only two remaining breeding colonies in Peru as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The Peruvian diving petrel Pelecanoides garnotii is endemic to the Peruvian or Humboldt Current. Descriptions of past colonies suggest that the species was once abundant in Peru, but harvesting guano on its nesting islands and killing the birds for their meat caused a drastic decline in the population. Fishing activities and direct exploitation threaten the only two remaining breeding colonies in Peru. There are an estimated 4000 breeding individuals left, but unless they are protected the species will continue to decline.
13 citations
TL;DR: The authors of as mentioned in this paper investigated the status of the Azores natural forests and the rare endemic trees they contain, only on the island of Pico, although they also worked on Terceira and Sao Miguel.
Abstract: The authors visited the Azores in September 1986 to investigate the status of the archipelago's natural forests and the rare endemic trees they contain. They carried out intensive investigation only on the island of Pico, although they also worked on Terceira and Sao Miguel. These three are the only islands on which moderately large areas of forest are believed to remain.
12 citations
TL;DR: A long-term study of the socio-ecology of the red colobus monkey in the Abuko Nature Reserve in The Gambia was carried out by as discussed by the authors from March 1978 to September 1983 and further information was collected during brief periods between February 1985 and April 1989.
Abstract: There are five, perhaps only four, monkey species in The Gambia and all are under threat. The main problems are habitat destruction, hunting of crop raiders and illegal capture for medical research. The information presented here was collected during a long-term study from March 1978 to September 1983 on the socio-ecology of the red colobus monkey in the Abuko Nature Reserve. Further information was collected during brief periods between February 1985 and April 1989 on the presence of monkeys in the forest parks. It is not systematic nor extensive, but it indicates clearly that action is needed if monkeys are to remain as part of the country's wildlife. The most pressing need is for survey work to supply the information needed to work out a conservation plan.
TL;DR: The Zaire Gorilla Conservation Project was launched in 1984 after the 1981 census of mountain gorillas in the Virungas showed how the Mountain Gorilla Project in Rwanda, in which FFPS was closely involved, had helped to swell numbers as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The Zaire Gorilla Conservation Project was launched in 1984 after the 1981 census of mountain gorillas in the Virungas showed how the Mountain Gorilla Project in Rwanda, in which FFPS was closely involved, had helped to swell numbers. Over the past few years the Zaire project has made encouraging progress. The 1986 census counted the highest number of gorillas since the early 1970s and some of that increase can be attributed to improved protection in Zaire. In addition, the park is benefiting from income from tourists visiting habituated gorilla groups. The project continues to extend, taking in eastern lowland gorillas and chimpanzees, as well as developing an overall education programme for the region around the park.
TL;DR: The Al-Areen Wildlife Park as mentioned in this paper was the first conservation centre dedicated to the preservation of wildlife in the Middle East and it was hoped that setting up a conservation center dedicated to wildlife would promote similar projects in other countries in the region.
Abstract: Bahrain was perhaps the first Arab country to realize the rapid decline of many native wild animal populations in the region and the urgent need to implement measures to ensure their survival. Part of Bahrain's response to this realization was the establishment of Al-Areen Wildlife Park. It was hoped that setting up a conservation centre dedicated to the preservation of wildlife would promote similar projects in other countries in the region. Now, more than 10 years since its creation, the authors review the original objectives of the project, its achievements and its aims for the future.
TL;DR: Pendjari National Park in the north of Benin is being reorganized, poaching is being controlled and the future looks brighter, not only for Pendjari but for the neighbouring lands also.
Abstract: In 1985 the European Economic Community embarked on a major nature conservation project in Benin, the first time that the EEC has become involved in this way in a national park in Africa. The project is centred on Pendjari National Park in the north of the country, whose lands are a vital barrier against the spread of the desert from the north. The park is being reorganized, poaching is being controlled and the future looks brighter, not only for Pendjari but for the neighbouring lands also.
TL;DR: The findings reported here point clearly to the need for further research, more legislation and the promotion of sustainable methods of propagation in the countries of origin.
Abstract: Every year millions of bulbs, corms and tubers are being dug up in the wild to supply the market for garden plants. In many cases the level of exploitation is so high that it threatens some species with extinction in their natural habitats. Some have already been lost. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which has been so successful in controlling damaging trade in certain species of animals, has yet to address the bulb trade effectively. One of the difficulties to be overcome is assessing its true extent and its effect on wild populations. In 1987 the FFPS contracted its staff botanist, Mike Read, to investigate the trade in wild-collected plants in Turkey. The findings reported here point clearly to the need for further research, more legislation and the promotion of sustainable methods of propagation in the countries of origin.
TL;DR: In 1987, the author went to North Yemen to study the problem and to devlop a conservation strategy as mentioned in this paper, where rhinoceros horn was still being smuggled into the country.
Abstract: North Yemen banned the import of rhinoceros horn in 1982. There is still a demand for the horn to make dagger handles, however, and to meet this some is still smuggled into the country. This illegal trade threatens the world's last populations of rhinoceros and in late 1987 the author went to North Yemen to study the problem and to devlop a conservation strategy.
TL;DR: In 1985, Taiwan responded to widespread concern about its role in the international rhinoceros trade by banning imports and exports of all rhino products as discussed by the authors, but little has been done to enforce the new law.
Abstract: In 1985 Taiwan responded to widespread concern about its role in the international rhinoceros trade by banning imports and exports of all rhinoceros products. It is disheartening and alarming that, three years later, the trade still thrives and little has been done to enforce the new law. The authors describe the situation in Taiwan, discuss the implications for the world's last rhinoceros populations and recommend what action should be taken.
TL;DR: A survey conducted by the European Continental Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP-ECS) suggests that birds have not served as such good early warning indicators of ecological damage from acid precipitation as they have for damage from organochlorine pesticide use as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Evidence from a survey conducted by the European Continental Section of the International Council for Bird Preservation (ICBP-ECS) suggests that birds have not served as such good early warning indicators of ecological damage from acid precipitation as they have for damage from organochlorine pesticide use. Only a few highly specialized species have been badly affected, and then long after the impact was observed in other organisms. Some birds have even benefited from the superabundance of dead and decaying standing timber.
TL;DR: A nature reserve is being developed at Kuala Selangor on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia as discussed by the authors, which is important as the core area of a major belt of mangrove forest and intertidal mudflats, an ecosystem poorly represented in South East Asian reserves.
Abstract: A nature reserve is being developed at Kuala Selangor on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is important as the core area of a major belt of mangrove forest and intertidal mudflats, an ecosystem poorly represented in South East Asian reserves. The concept, as well as its management by a non-governmental organization, are unique in the region.
TL;DR: In 1986 the FFPS contributed £750 from its Oryx 100% Fund towards a study of riparian forest in Somalia Only small fragments remain The local and national importance of these forests demands that urgent action is taken to conserve them as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: In 1986 the FFPS contributed £750 from its Oryx 100% Fund towards a study of riparian forest in Somalia Only small fragments remain The local and national importance of these forests demands that urgent action is taken to conserve them, as the author explains
TL;DR: The authors, whose recent study of Nepal's forest birds reinforced the importance of the mountain, suggest ways in which protection could benefit both the forests and the people.
Abstract: The forests that clad Phulchowki mountain in Nepal are internationally renowned for their fauna and flora but they are unprotected. The subtropical forests on the lower slopes are particularly valuable, being one of the last remnants of such forest left in Nepal and probably the only one still worth protecting. Currently very little of this forest type is included in the country's extensive protected area system. If it is to be saved action is needed soon: marble quarrying and the removal of trees for firewood, foliage and timber are destroying the forests, which are also vital for the protection of water supplies. The authors, whose recent study of Nepal's forest birds reinforced the importance of the mountain, suggest ways in which protection could benefit both the forests and the people.