Asian large animals in crisis With recent reports suggesting that large animals in asia may be in sWifter decline than anyWhere else in the World, a neW initiative may be their last chance 22 clouded leopard
calwhiz Simon Stuart, Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission For some time it has been clear that the conservation situation <strong>of</strong> large animals is particularly severe in Asia. This was particularly highlighted in the results <strong>of</strong> the Global Mammal Assessment released in 2008. In total, 189 globally threatened large mammal species occur in East, Southeast <strong>and</strong> South Asia, representing 44% <strong>of</strong> the 422 globally threatened large mammal species in the world. Looking at the most threatened mammals, there are 27 Critically Endangered (CR) large mammal species in the region, 41% <strong>of</strong> the 66 CR large mammals in the world. Two species <strong>of</strong> large mammal have probably become extinct in recent years: the kouprey <strong>and</strong> the baiji (or Yangtze River dolphin). Others are perilously close to extinction, for example the saola, the tamaraw, the Javan rhinoceros, <strong>and</strong> the Hainan gibbon. There have been precipitous declines in once widespread species, such as the Sumatran rhinoceros, the hog deer, the banteng <strong>and</strong> the bearded pig. Deteriorating conservation situations are not by any means restricted to the usual high pr<strong>of</strong>ile species, such as the tiger <strong>and</strong> the Asian elephant, but affect almost all groups <strong>of</strong> large mammals, including deer, wild cattle, pigs, primates <strong>and</strong> cetaceans. Nor is the problem restricted to mammals. Significant declines have also been noted in large birds (such as storks, ibises <strong>and</strong> vultures) <strong>and</strong> reptiles (such turtles <strong>and</strong> crocodilians). The situation with turtles is especially severe, the Yangtze giant s<strong>of</strong>tshell turtle being one <strong>of</strong> the most seriously threatened species. In total, 70 turtle species in the region fall within the threatened categories <strong>of</strong> the IUCN Red List, 53% <strong>of</strong> the 133 globally threatened turtle species in the world. Nineteen turtle species in the region are CR; that is 61% <strong>of</strong> the 31 CR turtles globally. Other remarkable species on the brink <strong>of</strong> extinction include the world’s largest amphibian, the Chinese giant salam<strong>and</strong>er; the world’s longest freshwater fish, the Chinese paddlefish; <strong>and</strong> the enormous Mekong giant catfish. Most <strong>of</strong> the declines are linked to two issues: widespread over-harvesting for food <strong>and</strong> medicine; <strong>and</strong> extensive habitat loss (especially in the Sundaic lowl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>of</strong> Malaysia <strong>and</strong> Indonesia). For freshwater fishes, the damming <strong>and</strong> pollution <strong>of</strong> water bodies has also had catastrophic effects, <strong>and</strong> species closely related to domestic livestock are suffering from hybridization (such as the wild water buffalo). The Asian large animal crisis is not a single-species issue; it is a systemic problem occurring through most <strong>of</strong> Asia, <strong>and</strong> the IUCN Red List data indicate that the Asian situation is much more serious than those in Africa or Latin America. With almost 3.3 billion people, this region contains nearly 50% <strong>of</strong> the world’s human population. The tension between the needs <strong>of</strong> humans <strong>and</strong> large animals is exhibited here more than any other area <strong>of</strong> the globe - the pressure to find mutually beneficial solutions has reached a critical state. While this presents us with immense <strong>and</strong> immediate challenges, there is still a window <strong>of</strong> opportunity that must not be missed. Sustainable solutions developed <strong>and</strong> implemented here may well provide us with the knowledge <strong>and</strong> tools to address other developing conflicts elsewhere. Enforcement <strong>of</strong> wildlife conservation on the ground is a serious challenge throughout the region. Control <strong>of</strong> illegal hunting <strong>of</strong> threatened species is greatly hampered by a lack <strong>of</strong> resources <strong>and</strong> limited awareness amongst the general public. The root causes must be addressed if success is to be achieved, <strong>and</strong> the livelihoods <strong>of</strong> local people provided for in innovative ways. The Response: CRisis|AsiA The conservation community needs to consider how to respond to this crisis before some <strong>of</strong> Asia’s most emblematic species are lost. It is essential that this is h<strong>and</strong>led in a way that fosters national <strong>and</strong> local commitment to enhance the conservation <strong>of</strong> large animals. In response to this challenge, the IUCN Species Survival Commission is launching the Crisis|Asia initiative by convening a consortium <strong>of</strong> governments <strong>and</strong> NGOs (including zoos) to provide leadership <strong>and</strong> guidance for specific conservation activities in the region. Progress is being made with governments on policy changes to help endangered species control unsustainable domestic <strong>and</strong> international trade in species, <strong>and</strong> to limit habitat destruction in the long term. However, while essential, these changes are likely to take more time to be effective than many species have. On top <strong>of</strong> this, many projects <strong>and</strong> wildlife authorities lack the resources for necessary law enforcement on the ground. The top priorities for Crisis|Asia will therefore be onthe-ground enforcement, building conservation capacity, improving management effectiveness <strong>of</strong> protected areas, <strong>and</strong> engaging with local communities in the places where the most threatened species occur. Much good work is already being carried out in Asia on the conservation <strong>of</strong> a wide variety <strong>of</strong> species, but these efforts must be much better supported if success is to be achieved. Coordination, guidance, increased funding, <strong>and</strong> further assessment <strong>of</strong> threats <strong>and</strong> potential solutions is urgently needed to bring about change at the required level. Resources are urgently needed to support the formation <strong>of</strong> Crisis|Asia, to fund initial activities to define the most urgent priorities, <strong>and</strong> to develop conservation action plans for the region. Crisis|Asia will begin its work by gathering experts <strong>and</strong> key stakeholders to identify the top 10-20 areas in the region that <strong>of</strong>fer the greatest opportunities for success in reducing the rate <strong>of</strong> large animal extinctions, <strong>and</strong> the bringing about <strong>of</strong> population recoveries. Once this planning process is completed, a fund will be created in order to build the financial capacity <strong>of</strong> projects in the region. The goal is for this fund to grow to US$10million by the end <strong>of</strong> the fifth year <strong>of</strong> operation. These projects will focus on the defined priority areas <strong>of</strong> anti-poaching, training <strong>and</strong> monitoring activities. Crisis|Asia is just starting, <strong>and</strong> we are proud to announce that EAZA has become IUCN’s first partner in the initiative. It is not too late to save the remarkable large animals <strong>of</strong> Asia, but if we do not pull together <strong>and</strong> act now, we shall have lost our last chance. In the next few months we shall be growing the Crisis|Asia consortium, <strong>and</strong> we hope that many <strong>European</strong> zoos will be willing to join. 23
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