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For the 3rd time in 2013, the Fund distributes more than $500k to support the world’s most endangered species

December 29, 2013

For the 3rd time in 2013, the Fund distributes more than $500k in support of the world’s most endangered species bringing its annual contribution in 2013 to $1,605,091.

As a result of its recent review of grant applications, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is distributing $519,666 to 65 conservation projects located in 45 countries across the world. This is the third distribution of Funds in 2013. The total distribution to projects in 2013 amounted to $1,605,091.

Since its inception in 2008 the Fund has distributed $10,328,429 to more than 1,000 species conservation projects worldwide.

Read more…

Efforts to reintroduce the Socorro Dove are underway

December 22, 2013

plants for dovePlants endemic to the remote Pacific island of Socorro (Mexico) are being grown ex-situ by Dr. Juan Martinez-Gómez in preparation for the reintroduction of the Socorro dove. The plants, upon which the Socorro dove depend, have been devastated by sheep that were introduced 150 years ago.

The Socorro dove project involves many conservation partners addressing the many different conservation challenges facing this reintroduction. The Mexican Navy, for example, is providing transportation and helping to retrofit abandoned buildings by turning them into greenhouses and captive breeding facilities.

You can read more about the project and view a photo essay in our case study pages.

Fund Video: Staghorn coral study in Arabian Gulf

December 19, 2013

The Fund provided NYU Abu Dhabi with a small grant to assist their study of Staghorn coral in the Arabian Gulf. Once covering vast areas along the UAE shores of the Arabian Gulf, the staghorn coral is quickly disappearing. Threats such as coastal development, raising sea temperatures, and dredging have significantly affected these historically resilient coral.

The Fund produced a short documentary about the project. You can watch it here….

[su_youtube url=”http://youtu.be/RHOl95s1Dz4″]

Second site discovered for Tanzania’s Critically Endnagered Amani flatwing dragonfly

December 19, 2013
amani flatwing 2

The recent discovery of a second site where the Amani flatwing dragonfly lives may help increase its chances of survival.

The Fund gave Dr. Viola Clausnitzer $8,000 to help conserve the Amani flatwing dragonfly (Amanipodagrion gilliesi)  in Tanzania. The grant helped fund a community workshop and train local field guides to identify and conserve this Critically Endangered species. Dr Clausnitzer recently reported to the Fund that “The field guides, who do the monitoring, have reported a 2nd site, where they found the Amani Flatwing. The future of this species is in much safer hands than before, just because the local people are aware of the rarity within their forest.” Read more…

Thriving African Wild Dog Population Confirmed in Kenya

December 5, 2013

With a grant from the Fund, the African Wild Dog Conservancy has confirmed the existence of a significant and widely distributed wild dog population in the North East and Coast Provinces of Kenya, from just north of the equator to the Indian Ocean, and near the Kenya/Somalia border region to Tsavo National Park. This wild dog population was previously unknown to the international conservation community.

african wild dogs

Given the limited availability of water for human settlement, relatively low density of people, and that the dominate ethnic group living in much of the core area does not hunt game (wild dog prey species), this region is a potential long-term stronghold for this endangered canid.

Also promising, interviews with locals indicate that wild dogs accounted for only 4% of overall livestock losses to predators; approximately half of those losses occurred in one area. All reported losses due to wild dogs occurred while grazing, not in bomas where livestock is kept. This information will be incorporated into AWD’s  education outreach program.

Overall, the program is very interesting and we encourage you to visit AWD’s website to learn more about their project at http://www.awdconservancy.org/

Red-shanked douc of Loas

December 5, 2013

Two time Fund grant recipient Camille Coudrat recently informed us that she published the results of her first grant in the Journal Oryx. The Fund provided financial support to Dr Coudrat to study a population of Red-shanked douc in Laos. After walking 300km along transects in the Nakai–Nam Theun National Protected Area, she estimated that more than 4,000 groups of these non-human primates inhabit this part of east central Laos. Possibly comprising the most significant population of these Endangered primates.

red-shanked douc

Through a second grant, the Fund is helping Dr Coudrat establish a research and outreach center for the continued study of this important population. Dr Coudrat will investigate the behavioral ecology of Red-shanked douc and work with the local community to help ensure its long-term survival.

For more information about this project and the work of Dr Coudrat and her colleagues visit the Conservation Laos webiste.