Wildlife
Initiative for Central Asia and the Caucasus (WICAC)
The
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the
International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) have
established a strategic partnership to assist the countries from the
Southern Caucasus and Central Asia in conserving their rich
biodiversity, and more particularly, to create an enabling
environment for the sustainable use of its rich wildlife resources
for the benefit of the national and local economies.
Wildlife
is one of the most valuable renewable natural resources in the
region. Its sustainable management can create commercial
opportunities and provide sustained economic, social and
environmental benefits. The added value through its sustainable use
(hunting tourism or other forms of nature tourism) can provide
employment and opportunities for income diversification. At the same
time it supports biodiversity conservation and other environmental
objectives.
In
cooperation with the Ministry
of Agriculture of the Czech
Republic and the Czech
Forestry and Game Management Research Institute,
FAO and CIC launched back in 2006 a new initiative to assist the
countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia regions to strengthen
their wildlife sectors and promote responsible and sustainable
hunting that contributes to the improvement of rural livelihoods.
This
cooperation which started in Prague in 2006 is now known as
the “Wildlife
Initiative for Central Asia and the Caucasus” (WICAC).
further
information and publications:
http://www.cic-wildlife.org/index.php?id=672
Origin and Age of African Elephant Ivory
CIC
Calls for Support: Ivory Samples Needed
The
International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation requests the
owners of ivory, in particular of hunting trophies with known origin
and age, to support a re-search project. The project will assist law
enforcement agencies in the fight against elephant poaching and ivory
smuggle. At the same time, it can facilitate future ivory trade along
the lines of CBD’s goal of sustainable use of natural
resources.
Hunters
in Support of Species Conservation
The
Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (FANC), which is an
IUCN member, is currently running in close cooperation with
the International Centre of Ivory Studies
of the University of Mainz, the University
of Regensburg, the International
Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), the German
Hunting Association (DJV) and the World
Wide Fund for Nature Germany (WWF) a research project on
the determination of age and origin of ivory from the African
elephant (Loxodonta africana). The major objectives of the project
are to create a reference database for the geographical origin of
African elephant ivory and to develop a readily available precise
method for the designation of the age of ivory. The entire
undertaking is part of Germany's contribution to the implementation
of the CITES African Elephant Action Plan and in particular its
strategy 1.4 'Strengthening the enforcement of laws relevant to
conservation and management of African elephants'. Hence the project
shall provide at the latest in early 2013 a useful and readily
available enforcement tool to assist in the fight against illegal
trade in ivory, which will enable African elephant range states to
better control any ivory trade under CITES.
The
project is in principle based on the isotopic composition of ivory.
For the data-base about 500 ivory samples from African range states
will be analyzed and the results combined with the IUCN-SSC African
Elephant Specialist Group’s vector data which spatially
represent the range of the different populations and thus provide
information on the geology, vegetation and precipitation. For the
purpose of the designation of the age of ivory not only the specific
activity of radiocarbon, 14C, will be measured but also the specific
activity of the strontium isotope 90Sr (related to the element
calcium 90Sr/ Ca) and the activity ratio of the thorium isotopes
228Th/ 232Th, which makes the method very precise and reliable. More
detailed information about the project, both in English and in
French, can be accessed on the FANC’s
website under
the heading "Current Issues". For the project description
in English, click here,
in French here.
The
scientific results of the development and the validation of the
research methods will be published in scientific journals. In
addition the database will be presented to the national CITES
authorities of the African elephant range states and to the
international community of states. Furthermore plans are underway to
inform all CITES parties about the details of the research project
and the practical application methods during a side-event at the 16th
Conference of the Parties in Bangkok, Thailand in 2013.
1/4
Gram of Ivory Needed
As
there are still not enough ivory samples throughout the African
elephant’s distribution range available for the project, the
FANC and the CIC would like hereby to ask for further assistance.
Origin
of ivory project: samples of 0,25 gram are only needed. They can be
taken from inside the nerve-canal or from the base without damaging
the tusk. Origin of ivory must exactly be known.
Age
of ivory project: 15 grams of ivory are needed from the base of the
tusk. As this will leave a visible mark, it will not practically
apply to hunting trophies, but more to ivory in stockpiles etc. The
year of the death of the elephant must be known.
Contact
Any
owner of ivory who would like to support this important research
project with small samples which can be geographically and/or age
determined is kindly invited to contact FANC about details and
procedures: Mrs.
Karin Hornig (hornigk@bfn.de)
or Mrs.
Claudia Denkl (denklc@bfn.de).
Determination of Age and Geographical Origin of African Elephant Ivory
Research and Development Project of the German CITES Management Authority (Federal Agency for Nature Conservation).
Exact methods for determination of age and geographical origin are essential to meet the still persisting
problem of ivory smuggling and can help to avoid the i termixing of legal with illegal ivory. Long-term
preservation of the constantly declining elephant population of Western and Central Africa will only be
possible with a control mechanism that helps identifying the age and geographical provenance of
confiscated ivory. This, as a worldwide necessity, was also acknowledged by the 15th Conference of the
Parties of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in March 2010. The German
Federal Agency for Nature Protection responded to this need and initiated above mentioned project, in
co-operation with its executing partners, the WWF Germany and two German universities.
Determination of Age and Geographical Origin of African Elephant Ivory
Research project supported by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
Research activities: University of Regensburg, University of Mainz, WWF Germany
In co-operation with the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), German Hunting Association (DJV)
CIC
unterstützt das deutsche Bundesamt für Naturschutz bei
einem Forschungsprojekt zum Schutz der Elefanten
Das
deutsche Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) führt ein
Forschungsprojekt zur Ermittlung von Alter und geografischer Herkunft
von Elfenbein des Afrikanischen Elefanten (Loxodonta africana) durch.
Untersucht werden Elfenbeinproben, deren Herkunft und/oder Alter
genau bekannt ist. Da dies am besten bei Jagdtrophäen gegeben
ist, unterstützt der CIC mit seinem weltweiten Netzwerk von
Mitgliedern dieses Vorhaben.
Weitere
Partner sind der Deutsche Jagdschutz Verband (DJV), Institute der
Universitäten Mainz und Regensburg sowie der WWF Deutschland.
Jäger
helfen dem Artenschutz
Mit
einer weltweit bislang einzigartigen Datenbank und einer neuen und
präziseren Methode zur Altersbestimmung von Elfenbein soll in
Zukunft wirksamer verhindert werden, dass gewildertes oder illegales
Elfenbein auf die internationalen Märkte gelangt. „Auch
bei einem legalen Elfenbeinhandel in Übereinstimmung mit dem
Prinzip der nachhaltigen Nutzung von Wildtieren muss genau
nachweisbar sein, von wo das Elfenbein stammt und wie alt es ist,“
sagte Tamás Marghescu, Generaldirektor des CIC. „Der CIC
freut sich, an einem solch hoch interessanten und spannenden Projekt,
das ganz offensichtlich einen praktischen Nutzen für eine
effektivere Umsetzung der CITES Konvention hat, mitzuwirken.“
Mit
dem Projekt trägt Deutschland zur Umsetzung des internationalen
Aktionsplans zum Erhalt des Afrikanischen Elefanten bei. Durch ihn
sollen Maßnahmen zum Schutz und Management der
Elefantenpopulationen vorangetrieben werden. Die Forschungsergebnisse
wird das BfN international zur Verfügung stellen, um zukünftig
einen wirksameren Schutz der Elefanten gewährleisten zu können.
Der
CIC ruft seine Mitglieder und andere Jäger, die selbst Elefanten
erlegt haben und Stoßzähne besitzen, dazu auf, das Projekt
zu unterstützen. Bislang haben alle Jäger, die persönlich
angesprochen wurden, positiv reagiert.
Gesucht:
500 Elfenbeinproben
Um
das Forschungsvorhaben erfolgreich durchführen zu können,
benötigen die Wissenschaftler etwa 500 Referenzproben von
Elefanten-Stoßzähnen bekannter Herkunft in der
Größenordnung ¼ Gramm für die
Herkunftsbestimmung. Für die Altersbestimmung wird hingegen nur
eine geringe Anzahl von Proben bekannten Alters im Gewicht von 15
Gramm benötigt. Eine solche Menge kann von Jagdtrophäen
jedoch nicht entnommen werden, da sie zu einer Beschädigung
führen.
Die
Probe von einem Viertel Gramm kann auch durch einen der beteiligten
Wissenschaftler vor Ort beim Eigentümer des Stoßzahns
entnommen werden. Sie wird mit einem Bohrer unsichtbar innen im
Nervenkanal oder an der Basis des Stoßzahns entfernt. Falls
erforderlich, wird das kleine Loch anschließend mit einem
Kunststoff wieder unsichtbar versiegelt.
Kontakt
Interessierte
Jäger, welche das Projekt mit Proben unterstützen, oder
sich weiter informieren möchten, wenden sich bitte an Frau
Karin Hornig oder Frau
Claudia Denkl im
Bundesamt für Naturschutz, Tel.: 0228-8491-1311 oder per E-Mail
an: (hornigk@bfn.de)
oder (denklc@bfn.de).
CIC Mitglieder können sich auch an den Präsidenten der CIC Division Applied Science, Gerhard R Damm oder an
Dr.
Rolf D. Baldus wenden. Dr. Baldus betreut das Projekt für den CIC (rolfbaldus@t-online.de).
Bestimmung von Alter und Geographischer Herkunft von Elfenbein des Afrikanischen Elefanten
Forschungsvorhaben unter Leitung des Bundesamts für Naturschutz, gefördert mit Mitteln des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit
Forschungsnehmer: Universität Regensburg, Universität Mainz, WWF Deutschland
Unter Zusammenarbeit mit dem Internationalen Rat zur Erhaltung des Wildes und der Jagd (CIC) Deutschen Jagdschutz Verband (DJV)
Ein neues Forschungsprojekt zum Schutz des Afrikanischen Elefanten - !!! Aufruf an alle Auslandsjäger !!!-
Origine et Datation de l'Ivoire de l'Eléphant d'Afrique
Appel à soutien du CIC : Échantillons de 0,25 gramme d'ivoire sont demandées Le Conseil Internationale de la Chasse et de la Conservation du Gibier demande aux propriétaires d'ivoire africaine, en particulier les trophées de chasse dont la date de la mort et de l'origine sont connues, de soutenir son projet de recherche. Le projet aidera les agences chargées de l'application de la loi dans la lutte contre le braconnage d'éléphants et le trafic d'ivoire. En même temps, la recherche peut faciliter le futur commerce d'ivoire en accord de l'objectif de la CDB concernant l'utilisation durable des ressources naturelles.
Tout propriétaire d'ivoire qui souhaiterait soutenir cet important projet de recherche avec des échantillons de 0,25 gramme est convié à entrer en contact avec la FANC pour connaître les détails et modalités:
Mrs. Claudia Denkl denklc@bfn.de, tel.: . +49-228-8491-1311
CITES COP 19 Facts and Science
The CIC - International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation recognizes CITES as a vital instrument for the conservation of species and habitats. CIC and its Members in 84 countries take a proactive stake in the implementation of CITES. It is the declared policy of the CIC to exclude severe off enders of CITES regulations from the ranks of its membership. We underline the vital role of CITES as a key instrument to govern the trade in endangered species. Yet, CITES should not be misused to attempt the regulation of nontrade issues in the context of species' conservation. This small publication is a modest contribution of the CIC to assist the Parties to CITES to make science-based, informed decisions. It aspires to avoid emotionallyinduced infl uences which disregard sustainable use as the basis of human co-existence with nature.
Developing Sustainable Wildlife Management Laws
in Western and Central Asia
This report was edited by Elisa Morgera and Victor Mosoti, FAO Legal Officers (Development Law Service). Part I was authored by James Wingard (FAO International Legal Consultant) and Elisa Morgera. Part II was authored by Alessandro Fodella (FAO International Legal Consultant), with the research assistance of Anna Vartanyan and Vsevolod Gnetii (FAO Legal Consultants).
Principles for Developing Sustainable Wildlife Management Laws
This report is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC). The report was authored by Elisa Morgera (FAO Legal Officer) and Jim Wingard (FAO International Legal Consultant). The authors wish to thank for their inputs: Victor Mosoti (FAO Legal Officer), René Czudek (FAO Wildlife and Protected Area Management Officer), Kai Wollscheid (Director General, CIC), Dominique Reeb (FAO Sub-Regional Senior Forestry Officer),Ali Mekouar (Director of FAO Conference, Council and Protocol Affairs Division; former Chief of the FAO Development Law Service), Alessandro Fodella (FAO International Legal Consultant), Anna Vartanyan (FAO Legal Consultant), Charlotta Jull (FAO Legal Officer) and the participants in the workshop "Review and validation of FAO/CIC draft legislative study on Developing Sustainable Wildlife Management Laws in Western and Central Asia" (Antalya, Turkey, 12-16 May 2008).
Rebuilding the Wildlife Sector in a New Zimbabwe
A PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY AND PROPOSALS FOR ACTION BY DONORS AND NGOs
By Dr. Rolf D. Baldus and Dr. Graham Child
Introductory Note: It is with great concern that we have observed the wanton destruction of wildlife and wildlife areas in Zimbabwe over the last decade. However, we are positive that the present political nightmare will come to an end and that the people of Zimbabwe will be allowed to rebuild their country. It should not be forgotten which important role wildlife has played in the economy of the country and the potential wildlife can have again in the future. "People and Wildlife e.V." a small German pro-wildlife NGO, has commissioned a study which should assist donors from the international, Governmental and private sectors to identify the potential and plan future assistance for the reconstruction of the wildlife sector. The study was written by Graham Child, now a consultant, and formerly Director of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management in Zimbabwe, and Rolf D. Baldus, a German economist with many years experience in wildlife management in Africa. Both have written the paper in their personal and private capacity only.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A decade ago Zimbabwe was one of the leading countries in wildlife conservation and management. The sector earned over US$ 300 million per year through conservation generated by protected areas belonging to the state, rural community run wildlife management areas and private game ranches and reserves. Sadly most of this has been destroyed or severely damaged within a few years of political lawlessness and corruption led by the Mugabe regime.
Wildlife however, has a great ability to recover within a relatively short period of time, provided the natural habitats remain intact, sound protection and wise management can be reintroduced. The formerly thriving wildlife sector can be restored, but to achieve this, a newly established democracy will need the assistance of bilateral and international donors and "hands-on" conservation NGOs.
The future political decision-makers of Zimbabwe as well as donor institutions must not overlook the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife once a new start is possible. Reconstruction of Zimbabwe will certainly draw substantial international support. Wildlife conservation is not a luxury that may be taken up at a later stage after the most urgent tasks of rehabilitation have been achieved. Zimbabwe's wildlife heritage is the draw card of the country's tourist industry, which is a sector that can quickly be turned around and play an important role in the reconstruction of the country.
For the recovery of the wildlife sector, it must be incorporated in economic development and poverty reduction strategies from the start of the reconstruction effort. Many tracts of land formerly devoted to wildlife are now occupied or resettled. Appropriate action is needed fast or the remaining wildlife in these areas will be lost forever. Past experience shows that these areas are unsuited to conventional agriculture, and that wildlife production is the most appropriate form of land use. It is therefore sensible to restore the wildlife populations for the benefit of community-based and/or private management regimes. As is shown, these wildlife-based land use systems mutually benefit one another and are not exclusive.
Furthermore, the sustainable use of wildlife is in line with the Convention on Biodiversity and the ruling principles of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), of which Zimbabwe is a member.
This paper takes a firm stand of zero cooperation with the current Government of Zimbabwe, which is responsible for country's current state of affairs. Also this paper is not a detailed analysis of that current state of affairs. Instead, this paper puts forward a range of ideas, but not project proposals in the fields of: Wildlife policy, organizational and administrative reform Rehabilitation of the estate, capacity building and strengthening of the field force Community based natural resources management (CBNRM) locally referred to as CAMPFIRE Private commercial game ranches and conservancies.
This paper is intended as a pre-feasibility study from where a future democratic Government and interested donors may initiate their own more detailed planning.
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