Population Increases - African Wildlife
Population Increases - African Wildlife
Population Increases - African Wildlife
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SPRING 2004<br />
Inside THIS ISSUE<br />
Machache ~ A Few Words<br />
You can turn your passion into action.<br />
Safari Report<br />
The differences between East Africa and<br />
Southern Africa.<br />
<strong>Wildlife</strong> Watch<br />
This endangered animal can roll up into a ball to<br />
protect itself.<br />
www.awf.org<br />
page 2<br />
page 4<br />
page 8<br />
First-time mother Rwanda Rushya of Rwanda’s Susa group gave birth to this little one on Christmas Eve 2003.<br />
Mountain Gorilla<br />
<strong>Population</strong> <strong>Increases</strong><br />
Life has been busier<br />
than normal recently<br />
for everyone who<br />
works with the mountain<br />
gorillas: Three babies were<br />
born, major census was<br />
carried out, a new community<br />
gift shop opened, and work<br />
continues on a buffalo wall.<br />
Christmas 2003 was<br />
cause for greater celebration<br />
than usual. New babies<br />
arrived in the Susa group in<br />
Rwanda, the Nkuringo group<br />
in Uganda, and the Rugendo<br />
group in Democratic Republic<br />
of Congo (DRC). With an<br />
infant mortality rate of 30%,<br />
rangers will keep a close eye<br />
on these little ones.<br />
The completion of the<br />
first census of the Virunga<br />
population in 15 years brought<br />
more reason to celebrate.<br />
BUT STILL CRITICALLY ENDANGERED<br />
The number of gorillas<br />
increased by 17%. In the 1989<br />
census, the gorillas numbered<br />
320. Today there are 380.<br />
Together with the 320 gorillas<br />
living in the Bwindi<br />
Impenetrable National Park in<br />
Uganda, the total number of<br />
mountain gorillas is up to 700.<br />
And the three recent births<br />
bring the total to 703.<br />
Years of civil war in<br />
Rwanda and DRC prevented a<br />
complete census of the<br />
Virunga population until now.<br />
Sadly, we know that these<br />
conflicts resulted in several<br />
gorilla deaths.<br />
The census was carried<br />
out by nearly 100 people in<br />
September and October 2003.<br />
They spent six weeks<br />
combing through 250 square<br />
miles of rainforest. The<br />
Craig R. Sholley<br />
International Gorilla<br />
Conservation Program (IGCP)<br />
led the census with support<br />
from AWF in conjunction with<br />
several partner conservation<br />
NGOs (non-governmental<br />
organizations) and the<br />
protected area authorities of<br />
Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC.<br />
IGCP, which is funded in<br />
part by AWF through several<br />
partners including the U.S.<br />
Agency for International<br />
Development (USAID), the<br />
U.S. Fish and <strong>Wildlife</strong> Service<br />
(USFWS), and the U.S. State<br />
Department, works with<br />
communities to benefit both<br />
the gorillas and the local<br />
people. One program helps<br />
educate communities on<br />
basic hygiene and sanitation<br />
continued on page 7
2 <strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News<br />
Machache ~ A FEW WORDS<br />
BOARD OF TRUSTEES<br />
Leila S. Green<br />
CHAIR<br />
Matthew T. Weir<br />
VICE CHAIRMAN<br />
Victoria Leslie<br />
SECRETARY<br />
Douglas C. Walker<br />
TREASURER<br />
Patrick J. Bergin, Ph.D.<br />
PRESIDENT<br />
Joanna Elliott<br />
VICE PRESIDENT<br />
Helen W. Gichohi, Ph.D.<br />
VICE PRESIDENT<br />
Tony Kalm<br />
VICE PRESIDENT<br />
Thomas W. Nichols<br />
VICE PRESIDENT AND ASSISTANT TREASURER<br />
Felix O. Otieno<br />
ASSISTANT SECRETARY<br />
Edward M. Armfield, Jr.<br />
Robin Berkeley<br />
Crandall C. Bowles<br />
Wendy McCrary Breck<br />
George R. Bunn, Jr.<br />
Jacques J. Busquest<br />
Stephen D. Cashin<br />
David Challinor, Ph.D.<br />
Dale F. (Tucker) Dorn<br />
James L. Foght, Ph.D.<br />
Christine F. Hemrick<br />
William E. (Wilber) James<br />
Dennis J. Keller<br />
Mark D. Kvamme<br />
Robin Lloyd<br />
Wariara Mbugua<br />
Henry P. McIntosh IV<br />
Anne B. Mize, Ph.D.<br />
Eleanor G. Nalle<br />
Ofer Nemirovsky<br />
Dr. Mamphela A. Ramphele<br />
Paul A. Schosberg<br />
Lisa M. Stevens<br />
David Thomson<br />
C. Bowdoin Train<br />
Nicholas Vingirai<br />
Annette Williamson<br />
Gordon Wilson<br />
TRUSTEES EMERITI<br />
Arthur W. Arundel<br />
E.U. Curtis Bohlen<br />
Joan Donner<br />
John H. Heminway<br />
George C. Hixon<br />
Richard M. Jackson<br />
Sally Pingree<br />
Russell E. Train<br />
<strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News<br />
is published four times a year.<br />
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR<br />
Elodie Sampéré<br />
©2004 <strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> Foundation<br />
1400 16th Street, N.W., Suite 120<br />
Washington, D.C. 20036<br />
202-939-3333<br />
202-939-3332 (fax)<br />
888-4-WILDLIFE<br />
E-mail: africanwildlife@awf.org<br />
Web site: www.awf.org<br />
Printed with soy-based ink<br />
Recycled Paper<br />
Turn Your Passion for Africa<br />
into a Lasting Legacy<br />
Each one of us has<br />
things we are<br />
passionate about.<br />
If we act on what we’re<br />
passionate about, these<br />
things become top priorities in<br />
our lives.<br />
We often think about<br />
being passionate in terms of<br />
favorite people, favorite<br />
activities, or even our favorite<br />
sports team. As a member of<br />
AWF, I believe you are<br />
passionate about Africa: the<br />
diverse wildlife, the amazing<br />
environment, and the people<br />
who call this continent home.<br />
One of the ways you act<br />
on this passion is through<br />
your support of AWF.<br />
Perhaps what first attracted<br />
you to our cause was the<br />
plight of the mountain gorilla.<br />
Or the majesty of the<br />
elephant. Or maybe you are<br />
fascinated by the big cats –<br />
the lion, cheetah, and leopard.<br />
Perhaps you appreciate our<br />
commitment to work with the<br />
people of Africa to protect<br />
their homeland and the<br />
wildlife that share the land.<br />
Whatever particular<br />
Craig R. Sholley<br />
passion drew you to AWF, I<br />
am proud to call you a partner<br />
in our cause. Your committed<br />
support is so important to<br />
fulfilling our mission – to<br />
ensure that Africa’s wildlife<br />
and wild lands endure<br />
forever. We are not just trying<br />
to help wildlife survive for the<br />
next few years. We want to<br />
create and protect vast<br />
Heartland areas where<br />
wildlife will be safe and thrive<br />
continuously.<br />
That’s why I’m thrilled<br />
that over the past several<br />
years, a growing number of<br />
AWF members have<br />
committed to make this<br />
happen in a special way.<br />
These members have worked<br />
with our AWF staff and their<br />
own financial advisors to<br />
design ways of giving that<br />
protect <strong>African</strong> wildlife now<br />
and for many years to come.<br />
AWF supporters who<br />
create lasting gifts become<br />
members of our Kilimanjaro<br />
Society. Mt. Kilimanjaro is the<br />
great timeless mountain that<br />
towers over so many of<br />
Africa’s wildlife treasures.<br />
LEAVE A LEGACY FOR AFRICAN WILDLIFE WHEN YOU:<br />
• Remember AWF in your will or trust.<br />
• Create a charitable remainder trust which provides income for you in your<br />
lifetime and for wildlife conservation in the future.<br />
• Name AWF as a beneficiary in your life insurance policy or retirement plan.<br />
And planned gifts provide a<br />
lasting legacy which will help<br />
AWF look over and protect<br />
Africa’s wildlife.<br />
There are several<br />
benefits to joining the<br />
Kilimanjaro Society, including<br />
invitations to special events<br />
and letters directly from the<br />
field when I’m traveling.<br />
If you are passionate<br />
about Africa, its wildlife, and<br />
its wild lands, I hope you will<br />
consider creating a lasting<br />
legacy though your support.<br />
The future of the mountain<br />
gorilla, elephant, lion, and<br />
so many other endangered<br />
and threatened animals<br />
depends on you and other<br />
compassionate friends.<br />
Thank you.<br />
Patrick J. Bergin, Ph.D.<br />
AWF President & CEO<br />
Protect<br />
<strong>Wildlife</strong><br />
Today &<br />
Always<br />
Make Your Will Known –<br />
Join the Kilimanjaro Society<br />
For more information about planned giving, go to www.awf.org/act. Or call 1-888-4-WILDLIFE and<br />
give us your state of residence so we can connect you with your regional planned giving officer.
Shocking Decline of <strong>African</strong><br />
Lion <strong>Population</strong> Reported<br />
Recent headlines<br />
tell a sad story:<br />
“Lions Close to<br />
Extinction,” “Africa’s<br />
Shocking Lion Loss,”<br />
“Declining Lion Pride<br />
Threaten Botswana<br />
Eco-Tourism.”<br />
The decline in numbers<br />
is being reported in both<br />
East and Southern Africa –<br />
from studies in South Africa<br />
and Botswana to Tanzania<br />
and Kenya.<br />
According to current<br />
news stories, <strong>African</strong> lions<br />
number between 18,000<br />
and 23,000 today. Twenty<br />
years ago they numbered<br />
200,000. The greatest<br />
threats to these big cats<br />
are sport hunting and<br />
conflict with farmers over<br />
livestock.<br />
Another killer that<br />
could become a very<br />
serious problem is feline<br />
immunodeficiency virus<br />
Lions appear to be declining in the Four Corners Heartland,<br />
according to recent research by AWF staff members.<br />
(FIV). It’s the animal<br />
equivalent of HIV. For the<br />
first time FIV is being<br />
blamed for the death of<br />
lions. It is one of the<br />
deadliest viruses in cats<br />
and can wipe out an entire<br />
pride.<br />
A strong predator<br />
population suggests a<br />
habitat that presents a<br />
healthy environment for all<br />
wildlife. In addition, the lion<br />
is one of Africa’s “big five.”<br />
Along with the elephant,<br />
buffalo, rhinoceros, and<br />
Cardo Kleberg<br />
leopard, the lion is one of<br />
the most popular animals to<br />
view and photograph. It<br />
therefore plays a critical<br />
role in attracting tourists to<br />
the continent.<br />
Your support helps<br />
protect Africa’s lions and<br />
other threatened wildlife.<br />
Through AWF, you help<br />
fund critical research,<br />
provide education for local<br />
communities, and better<br />
equip park rangers to<br />
protect the animals and<br />
their habitat.<br />
<strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News 3<br />
News in Brief<br />
New Radio<br />
System Helps<br />
Protect <strong>Wildlife</strong><br />
A new VHF radio network makes it<br />
possible to have complete coverage of<br />
Manyara Ranch. The network has a base<br />
station in a secure radio room, mobile<br />
radio stations in support vehicles, and six<br />
hand-held radios. Everything is powered<br />
by a solar array buffered by high-capacity<br />
batteries. This ensures 24-hour<br />
communication with no ongoing costs to<br />
run the network.<br />
This communication system has<br />
already made a big difference in the<br />
efficiency and cost of doing work on the<br />
ranch. Game scouts can communicate<br />
with each other from any area of the<br />
ranch. This creates a better network for<br />
surveying and protecting the wildlife and<br />
their habitat.<br />
New Cultural<br />
Boma Opens<br />
GIS Takes <strong>Wildlife</strong> Conservation<br />
to the Next Level<br />
By David Williams, AWF GIS Specialist, Kenya<br />
After the sweaty<br />
labor of digging<br />
his Land Cruiser<br />
out of the deep sand of a<br />
dry river bottom in Samburu<br />
Heartland, Dr. Paul Muoria<br />
understands the<br />
importance of water. Dr.<br />
Muoria is the lead<br />
researcher for AWF’s<br />
Grevy’s zebra program.<br />
He speculates that the<br />
seasonal rainfall<br />
fluctuations that diminish a<br />
coursing river in May to a<br />
bone-dry stretch of sand in<br />
March impact the<br />
movements of the<br />
endangered Grevy’s zebra.<br />
To test this hypothesis, Dr.<br />
Muoria sought to<br />
measure the distance<br />
from zebra observations<br />
to water sources to<br />
determine if it varies by<br />
season.<br />
Previously, making<br />
numerous distance<br />
measurements was a<br />
demanding task involving a<br />
compass and topographic<br />
map. It yielded only rough<br />
estimates. With the help of<br />
Geographic Information<br />
Systems (GIS) and Global<br />
Positioning Systems (GPS),<br />
hundreds of measurements<br />
can be calculated to the<br />
meter with the press of a<br />
button. GIS is a system of<br />
GIS map of Grevy’s zebra distribution<br />
in southern Samburu, Kenya.<br />
hardware and software<br />
used for storage, retrieval,<br />
mapping, and analysis of<br />
geographic data.<br />
Through training<br />
provided by AWF GIS<br />
specialists, Dr. Muoria<br />
learned how to use GPS to<br />
precisely locate his zebra<br />
observations. These<br />
continued on page 7<br />
Hassan Sachedina<br />
Maasai children celebrate at the opening ceremony of<br />
the Esilalei Cultural Boma.<br />
The new Esilalei Cultural Boma is the<br />
most recent conservation business<br />
venture completed in the Maasai Steppe<br />
Heartland. A boma is a Maasai<br />
homestead with several homes (bandas)<br />
in one round compound. The boma is<br />
operated by the Naisho Women’s Group of<br />
Esilalei village and emphasizes the<br />
people’s connection to the wildlife.<br />
It will house Maasai handicrafts for<br />
sale, as well as photos and brief<br />
interpretive displays. This new modern<br />
banda was built by AWF with USAID funds<br />
to benefit the local community.
4 <strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News<br />
Safari Report FROM CARDO KLEBERG<br />
Southern Africa vs. East Africa:<br />
Comparing and Contrasting the Safari Experience<br />
By Cardo and Britt Kleberg<br />
While working in the tourism<br />
industry, we were often<br />
asked: “Should I go on<br />
safari to East Africa or Southern<br />
Africa?” The answer is never easy<br />
because there are many factors to<br />
consider.<br />
First, let me define the regions: East<br />
Africa encompasses Kenya, Tanzania,<br />
Zanzibar, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi<br />
(although some people consider the<br />
latter three as Central Africa). Southern<br />
Africa includes South Africa, Zambia,<br />
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and<br />
Mozambique.<br />
To begin, let’s look at recent safari<br />
history. Up until the 1980s, East Africa<br />
was the preferred destination for<br />
adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts.<br />
Then, Botswana was little known,<br />
Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) was politically<br />
unstable, and South Africa was under<br />
the oppression of apartheid. In contrast,<br />
East Africa offered wonderful wildlife<br />
experiences, low human populations,<br />
and wide open spaces.<br />
In 1990, Nelson Mandela was<br />
released from prison and the new South<br />
Africa was born. Meanwhile, this<br />
decade brought political unrest in Congo<br />
and Uganda, massacres consumed<br />
Rwanda, famine hit Ethiopia, and<br />
bombings occurred in Kenya. These<br />
events affected all of East Africa. All<br />
the while, the rand (South Africa’s<br />
monetary unit) began to depreciate,<br />
making Southern Africa more affordable<br />
and attractive.<br />
When you consider terrain and<br />
destinations, the regions are very<br />
different. East Africa boasts magnificent<br />
landscapes including Tanzania’s Mt.<br />
Kilimanjaro, Ngorongoro Crater, the<br />
Serengeti Plains, the montane rain<br />
forests of Uganda and Rwanda, Kenya’s<br />
Maasai Mara, and many more.<br />
Southern Africa is diverse as well.<br />
The area includes: the wetlands of<br />
Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the semiarid<br />
Kalahari Desert, the Skeleton Coast<br />
of Namibia, the roaring thunder of<br />
Victoria Falls, the red dunes at<br />
Sossusvlei, the numerous national parks<br />
of northern Zimbabwe, and the ever<br />
popular Kruger National Park in South<br />
Africa.<br />
With the exception of several birds<br />
and a few mammal species, most of the<br />
popular wildlife can be seen in both<br />
regions. The major difference is in how<br />
When you<br />
consider terrain<br />
and destinations,<br />
the regions are<br />
very different.<br />
many you will see. For example, in<br />
Southern Africa you would never see the<br />
huge numbers of zebra and wildebeest<br />
that you would in the Serengeti. In<br />
contrast, East Africa does not have the<br />
enormous populations of elephants<br />
found in Botswana.<br />
Weather is another differentiating<br />
factor. Rain can have a significant<br />
effect on a safari. In East Africa,<br />
October is the beginning of the short<br />
Cardo Kleberg<br />
rains, while April brings long rains.<br />
Many camps and areas shut down<br />
because they become difficult to<br />
access. In Southern Africa, while each<br />
country varies, the general rains<br />
(tropical storms) come between<br />
November and March. Most camps stay<br />
open year-round. The temperatures are<br />
more or less the same. May through<br />
August tend to be the cooler months in<br />
both regions.<br />
One of the main differences between<br />
the regions is the lodges and vehicles.<br />
Parts of East Africa have earned the<br />
reputation of being over-saturated with<br />
hotel-style lodges and vehicles. Southern<br />
Africa, on the other hand, has always<br />
offered a very private safari experience<br />
with low-density tourism. The majority of<br />
the lodges are luxury tent-style camps.<br />
Budget is also an important factor.<br />
With the rand getting stronger, Southern<br />
Africa is getting more expensive.<br />
However, mobile or overland safaris are<br />
very popular in both regions and give the<br />
economy traveler the opportunity to<br />
experience the bush.<br />
Another issue is cultural tourism.<br />
Here, East Africa by far has the upper<br />
A key part of the safari experience is<br />
viewing wildlife in their natural habitat.<br />
continued on page 5
<strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News 5<br />
Safari Experience<br />
continued from page 4<br />
hand. The local people of East Africa are<br />
much more involved in the tourism<br />
industry. Opportunities to witness<br />
Maasai or Samburu tribal living are more<br />
common. In Southern Africa it is very<br />
difficult to witness Bushmen and Himba<br />
people living traditionally.<br />
Both regions have a lot to offer.<br />
Although the safari industry began in East<br />
Africa and expanded to Southern Africa,<br />
today both regions are learning from each<br />
other’s successes. They are fine-tuning<br />
the overall wilderness experience and<br />
offering travelers unique opportunities to<br />
witness the beauty of the <strong>African</strong><br />
continent and wildlife.<br />
One final note – as wilderness areas<br />
are slowly being destroyed, it will only<br />
become more difficult to take advantage<br />
of what Africa has to offer. Thankfully,<br />
AWF and other organizations are<br />
working to preserve and protect<br />
these precious lands and the<br />
animals that call them home.<br />
The support of members like you<br />
makes this critical work<br />
possible.<br />
If you’re considering a<br />
safari, please contact Craig<br />
Sholley at csholley@awf.org<br />
or visit AWF’s Safari Planner<br />
at www.awf.org/safari. Our<br />
next safari is August 28 –<br />
September 8, 2004 in<br />
Southern Africa.<br />
Cardo and Britt Kleberg take a break with a fellow safari guide. The<br />
Klebergs spent over 10 years managing photographic safari lodges and guiding travelers<br />
in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Currently, Cardo serves as an ambassador for AWF.<br />
AWF Protecting Rhinos for Nearly 20 Years<br />
Black Rhino Looks Tough, but is<br />
Powerless at the Hands of Man<br />
The <strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> Foundation<br />
has been committed to rhino<br />
conservation for nearly 20 years.<br />
A large portion of funding has gone to<br />
support black rhino protection and<br />
conservation at Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary<br />
in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya.<br />
The most recent support to help<br />
protect this highly endangered species<br />
included communication equipment and<br />
$15,000. AWF President and CEO Patrick<br />
Bergin presented these gifts to the Kenya<br />
<strong>Wildlife</strong> Service (KWS) in January.<br />
The black rhino population in the<br />
Tsavo ecosystem in Kenya was estimated<br />
at 6,000-8,000 in the 1970s. By 1989, there<br />
were no more than 20 remaining. Man is<br />
the rhino’s primary predator and poaching<br />
for horns decimated the population in<br />
Kenya and throughout Africa.<br />
This dramatic decline led to the<br />
creation of Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in<br />
1985. The sanctuary started with just<br />
three rhinos in an area of less than one<br />
square mile. Today, Ngulia is over 38<br />
square miles and has 57 rhinos. More<br />
than half were born there.<br />
Today black rhinos are protected<br />
primarily in fenced sanctuaries like<br />
Ngulia. These small populations hold the<br />
future of the species. Only in these<br />
areas can they reproduce in relative<br />
safety from poachers. Tragically, last<br />
May, two KWS rangers were killed in a<br />
valiant effort to protect rhinos from<br />
poachers.<br />
AWF’s continued support helps in<br />
several areas, from expanding the<br />
sanctuary to accommodate the growing<br />
population to providing tools and<br />
equipment to help the rangers in their<br />
work. AWF also encourages more<br />
collaborative efforts among the KWS,<br />
local communities, and other<br />
A black rhinoceros mother and her calf.<br />
Art Wolfe<br />
organizations working in the area. All of<br />
these efforts will increase protection for<br />
the black rhino, other endangered<br />
wildlife, and those who work hard to<br />
safeguard them.<br />
As an AWF member, your support<br />
helps protect the black rhino and other<br />
endangered animals in the <strong>African</strong><br />
Heartlands. Thank you for your<br />
continued partnership!
6 <strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News<br />
U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer<br />
Joins Samburu Heartland Team<br />
The U.S. Peace Corps has joined<br />
AWF in the work of conserving<br />
the Samburu Heartland in Kenya.<br />
Volunteer Nancy Stills joined our team in<br />
December 2003.<br />
Currently, Stills is helping develop a<br />
beekeeping project around the Kirisia<br />
Forest. It combines conservation of wildlife<br />
and the environment with private enterprise<br />
and will benefit the local community. She is<br />
also assisting the Kenya <strong>Wildlife</strong> Service in<br />
the development of their new wildlife<br />
conservation education center.<br />
AWF employs eight former Peace<br />
Corps volunteers, including President and<br />
CEO Patrick Bergin and Amy Wiedemann, a<br />
Program Development Officer in<br />
Washington, D.C. Wiedemann served with<br />
the Peace Corps in Ghana for two years.<br />
Most of AWF’s other former Peace Corps<br />
volunteers also served in Africa and many<br />
of the relationships they built have<br />
continued through their work with AWF.<br />
Working for AWF allows Wiedemann<br />
“the opportunity to have Africa be a part of<br />
my everyday life again.” She appreciates<br />
that AWF invests in the people of Africa.<br />
“For conservation to really be sustainable,<br />
the communities who live there are going to<br />
need to be involved and engaged.”<br />
AWF hopes to work closely with more<br />
Peace Corps volunteers in the future, as<br />
additional human resources to help save<br />
wildlife.<br />
Elodie A. Sampéré<br />
Peace Corps volunteer Nancy Stills with local<br />
beekeeping farmer, John Leadura.<br />
Report from the Field<br />
Initial Results of Zambezi<br />
Lion Study Offer Hope<br />
By Norman Monks, Lion Researcher, Zambezi Heartland<br />
Aresearch project to establish<br />
the population dynamics of<br />
lions (Panthera leo) in the mid-<br />
Zambezi Valley has been under way<br />
since 2001. It is partly funded by AWF.<br />
This is the first such study to be carried<br />
out in the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe.<br />
This large tract of land (over 6,210<br />
square miles) consists of both safari and<br />
park areas. There are no human<br />
settlements in the area apart from park<br />
accommodations.<br />
Fourteen lions from five different<br />
prides have been radio-collared. The<br />
prides are regularly tracked and<br />
information on pride structure, behavior,<br />
and prey species is collected. So far the<br />
population structure of lions in the park<br />
shows the same population<br />
characteristics as lions in other<br />
conservation, non-hunted areas in Africa.<br />
This indicates that the population is<br />
healthy and is not being subjected to<br />
human disturbances, disease, or<br />
imbalances with competing carnivores<br />
such as the spotted hyena (Crocuta<br />
crocuta).<br />
In Mana Pools<br />
National Park, visitors<br />
are allowed to walk<br />
unaccompanied by<br />
professional guides<br />
despite the presence of<br />
potentially dangerous,<br />
free-ranging wildlife<br />
such as elephants,<br />
buffalo, and lions. This<br />
unique privilege has resulted in<br />
remarkably few wildlife/human conflicts.<br />
Lions are naturally secretive animals.<br />
They appear to avoid visitors on foot by<br />
hiding in thick vegetation.<br />
Our studies have shown that lions<br />
are seen in open areas (such as on and<br />
near the road), where they can be easily<br />
seen, only 5.3% of the time. Lions are<br />
seen in moderately vegetated areas<br />
35.1% of the time. And for 59.6% of the<br />
time, lions are found in dense vegetation<br />
where there is very little chance of<br />
tourists seeing them.<br />
The structure of a normal population<br />
has been successfully established for a<br />
non-hunted area of the same ecosystem.<br />
Radio collars help AWF researchers track the movement of lions.<br />
Gosiame Neo-Mahupeleng<br />
Now the research will focus on obtaining<br />
population dynamics in the safari areas<br />
where lions are offered on quota for<br />
sport hunting.<br />
Once the population characteristics<br />
of lions are known for the safari areas,<br />
sustainable hunting quotas can be set<br />
based on empirical data. Then<br />
management recommendations can be<br />
put forward. At present quotas are set<br />
using an educated guess. This project<br />
has important management implications<br />
and is considered vital for the future of<br />
this vulnerable species.<br />
To read Norman Monk’s full report on lion<br />
research in the Zambezi Heartland, go to<br />
www.awf.org/zambezilion/.
Rabies Threatens Rare<br />
Ethiopian Wolf <strong>Population</strong><br />
Since September<br />
2003, at least 38<br />
Ethiopian wolves<br />
have died from rabies in<br />
the Bale Mountains.<br />
Another 20-25 are missing<br />
and presumed dead. This<br />
area is home to 300 of<br />
these endangered wolves.<br />
Scientists believe there are<br />
less than 450 left on earth.<br />
This rabies outbreak<br />
devastated the Web Valley<br />
population of the Bale<br />
Mountains in southeastern<br />
Ethiopia. Over 75% of this<br />
key population died from<br />
the disease. Only 20 of the<br />
original 80 wolves remain<br />
alive.<br />
The disease appears<br />
to have been brought to<br />
the area by domestic dogs.<br />
The people in the Bale<br />
Mountains own an average<br />
of 2.1 dogs per household.<br />
The average is high<br />
because many families<br />
have dogs to protect<br />
livestock.<br />
In November, the<br />
Ethiopian authorities<br />
authorized a wolf<br />
vaccination campaign in<br />
response to the outbreak. A<br />
total of 70 wolves have been<br />
vaccinated. Domestic dogs<br />
that need the vaccine are<br />
also inoculated.<br />
AWF helped fund a<br />
study on the effects of the<br />
domestic dog population on<br />
Ethiopian wolves in 1996-97.<br />
This study included rabies,<br />
canine distemper, and other<br />
dog diseases. As a result of<br />
this study, the Ethiopian Wolf<br />
Conservation Programme<br />
(EWCP) developed a<br />
vaccination program for<br />
domestic dogs.<br />
Since 1996, an<br />
estimated 1,475 dogs out of<br />
a total population of 1,878<br />
have been inoculated. This<br />
70% coverage is good news,<br />
but until complete coverage<br />
is achieved, the chance of a<br />
rabies outbreak still exists.<br />
And, unfortunately, this is<br />
exactly what happened at<br />
the end of 2003.<br />
A rabies outbreak has reduced a critical population of Ethiopian<br />
wolves by 75 percent.<br />
GIS Takes <strong>Wildlife</strong> to the Next Level<br />
continued from page 3<br />
results can be overlaid on<br />
water source data in a GIS<br />
to efficiently analyze the<br />
relationship between<br />
seasonal zebra movements<br />
and the availability of water.<br />
(The map on page 3<br />
illustrates this.)<br />
Just like Dr. Muoria’s<br />
program, much of AWF’s<br />
conservation work on the<br />
ground centers around two<br />
questions: Where are the<br />
critical wildlife migration<br />
routes? And when are they<br />
used? We want to know<br />
where and when AWF<br />
should intervene to mitigate<br />
conservation threats.<br />
With support from the<br />
Rockefeller Foundation and<br />
USAID, AWF created GIS<br />
laboratories in Nairobi,<br />
Kenya and Kasane,<br />
Botswana in 2002. Working<br />
with AWF GIS specialists,<br />
AWF field staff can now<br />
address such questions<br />
with greater speed and<br />
precision. By juxtaposing<br />
conservation targets and<br />
threats using GIS, land<br />
managers and planners<br />
have refined their<br />
For more of this story<br />
about threats to<br />
Ethiopian wolves, go to<br />
www.awf.org/ethiopianwolf/.<br />
Ethiopian Wolf Conservation Programme<br />
understanding of<br />
conservation challenges.<br />
This enables them to target<br />
interventions more<br />
effectively.<br />
With GIS, AWF is<br />
gradually transforming its<br />
approach to landscapelevel<br />
wildlife conservation.<br />
GIS work will begin with<br />
wild dogs in Samburu<br />
Heartland and carnivores in<br />
Four Corners. And, Grevy’s<br />
zebra work aside, perhaps<br />
Dr. Muoria can also use GIS<br />
to map trouble spots for his<br />
vehicle.<br />
<strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News 7<br />
Mountain Gorilla<br />
<strong>Population</strong> <strong>Increases</strong><br />
continued from page 1<br />
Craig R. Sholley<br />
Locally-made handicrafts are sold at the new<br />
community gift shop in Rwanda.<br />
to improve their health. IGCP also works<br />
with the local people to develop new<br />
business opportunities.<br />
One of these opportunities is the new<br />
community gift shop in Rwanda. The shop<br />
opened in December and sells locallymade<br />
handicrafts and food items. Eighty<br />
percent of the profits will go back into the<br />
community for projects to benefit the local<br />
people. The remaining 20% will be<br />
reinvested in the shop.<br />
Another IGCP project is the buffalo<br />
wall in the Virunga Massif. The main<br />
objective is to keep the wildlife from<br />
raiding crops bordering the national park.<br />
Currently 16 miles of wall has been built in<br />
Rwanda and 13 miles in DRC.<br />
The people of the community<br />
appreciate that the park is helping protect<br />
their crops and livelihood. This is truly a<br />
community project – constructed by the<br />
people to benefit the people.<br />
AWF has been working with the<br />
mountain gorilla population for 25 years.<br />
Funding research to protect these<br />
magnificent animals is vital. Despite the<br />
good news of a growing population,<br />
mountain gorillas are still critically<br />
endangered. They face many threats,<br />
including habitat destruction, poaching,<br />
hunting, and disease.<br />
“We must not be complacent. The<br />
slow rate of reproduction among mountain<br />
gorillas makes the challenge of keeping<br />
these precious creatures alive ever so<br />
great,” said Patrick Bergin, AWF’s<br />
president and CEO. “The population is still<br />
extremely fragile.”<br />
AWF members like you enable us to<br />
conduct important research, train rangers,<br />
and build partnerships with local<br />
communities. Your support is critical in<br />
protecting mountain gorillas and other<br />
endangered wildlife. Thank you!<br />
To read more of this article about<br />
mountain gorillas, go to<br />
www.awf.org/gorillaupdate/.
8 <strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> News<br />
<strong>Wildlife</strong> WATCH<br />
The pangolin ambles along on all<br />
fours. But to move more<br />
quickly, it stands up on two<br />
feet, using its long tail for<br />
support. It can run<br />
three miles per hour.<br />
The pangolin has mistakenly been<br />
called an armadillo. It also has<br />
scent glands similar to those of a<br />
skunk that can be used to spray its<br />
enemies. But the pangolin is actually most<br />
closely related to the anteater.<br />
The Cape pangolin weighs 30-40<br />
pounds, is between two and four feet long,<br />
and lives an average of 20 years. It has a<br />
well-developed sense of smell and<br />
hearing, but poor vision. The pangolin is<br />
nocturnal and spends the daylight hours<br />
underground. Pangolins are found in the<br />
tropical areas of Africa and Asia.<br />
The name pangolin comes from the<br />
Malayan word peng-goling, meaning to<br />
roll over. This refers to the animal’s ability<br />
to roll into a tight, protective ball when<br />
threatened. The pangolin can also lash out<br />
with the razor-sharp scales that cover its<br />
body and long tail.<br />
Pangolins eat ants and termites. They<br />
locate the insects by smell and then<br />
quickly dig them from the mound with their<br />
powerful front paws. The pangolin’s<br />
extremely long tongue (up to 16 inches) is<br />
Pangolin<br />
Daryl & Sharna Balfour<br />
covered with sticky saliva that quickly<br />
grabs the insects.<br />
At birth, a common pangolin is just six<br />
inches long and weighs 12 ounces. After a<br />
month, the infant will ride on the base of<br />
the mother’s tail. If the mother senses<br />
danger, she will slip the baby under her<br />
and roll up around her infant.<br />
Pangolins are endangered animals.<br />
They are hunted for their skin (to make<br />
boots and belts) and their meat. Some<br />
people believe a combination of<br />
pangolin scales and bark from certain<br />
trees neutralizes witchcraft and evil<br />
spirits. Others believe burning their<br />
scales keeps lions and other wild<br />
animals away.<br />
As an AWF member, you help protect<br />
unique wildlife like the pangolin through<br />
your support.<br />
For more profiles of the animals you<br />
help protect through your support of the<br />
<strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> Foundation, please visit<br />
www.awf.org/wildlives.<br />
Survey of Rare<br />
Wattled Crane<br />
Funded by AWF<br />
An aerial survey of wattled<br />
cranes was conducted in the<br />
Okavango Delta of Botswana<br />
in 2003. The survey, which took place<br />
in the Four Corners Heartland, was<br />
funded by AWF. Two airplanes<br />
equipped with Global Positioning<br />
Systems (GPS) were used for the<br />
survey.<br />
Results show an estimated total of<br />
1,450 birds and 77 nests. These totals<br />
are slightly higher than estimates from<br />
2002 (1,205 birds and 76 nests). The<br />
slight increase is reportedly due to<br />
narrower strips taken in the flight<br />
pattern. This improves the precision of<br />
the survey by reducing the chance of<br />
missing birds.<br />
The Okavango holds the largest<br />
single population of wattled cranes –<br />
about 18% of the global population<br />
(estimated to be 8,000). The population<br />
has decreased by more than 2,000 birds<br />
over the past eight years. This makes<br />
monitoring the wattled crane a high<br />
priority.<br />
The majority of the Okavango<br />
wattled crane population falls outside<br />
the protection of the Moremi Game<br />
Reserve. A large percentage of the<br />
birds are offered some protection in the<br />
<strong>Wildlife</strong> Management Areas that border<br />
Moremi. Major conservation efforts<br />
need to be directed toward these<br />
areas.<br />
This important survey and other<br />
key projects wouldn’t be possible<br />
without the help of concerned<br />
members like you. Thank you!<br />
I Want to Do My Part to Save the <strong>Wildlife</strong> and Wild Lands of Africa<br />
As an AWF member, I know my partnership makes a difference<br />
for the wildlife and wild lands of the <strong>African</strong> Heartlands. That’s<br />
why I’m enclosing my tax-deductible contribution of:<br />
■ $25 ■ $50 ■ $75 ■ $100 ■ $500 ■ $_______<br />
______________________________________________________________________________________<br />
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■ Please send me information about<br />
making a legacy gift for <strong>African</strong> wildlife.<br />
■ Please send me your online newsletter, AWF<br />
Africa News, so I can receive special updates<br />
on breaking news affecting the wildlife and<br />
wild lands of Africa.<br />
Thank you! Please detach<br />
this form and return it with<br />
your tax-deductible check in<br />
the enclosed envelope to:<br />
<strong>African</strong> <strong>Wildlife</strong> Foundation,<br />
1400 Sixteenth Street, N.W.,<br />
Suite 120, Washington, D.C.<br />
20036.<br />
If you have any questions,<br />
call us at 1-888-4-WILDLIFE.<br />
Please visit our Web site at<br />
www.awf.org.<br />
PROTECT<br />
WILDLIFE<br />
TODAY!<br />
A044<br />
James Weis