News: Posts http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/AllPosts.aspx RSS feed for the Posts list. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:50:39 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 EAZA NewsBlog: Posts /News/newsblog/_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/AllPosts.aspx SOS - Save Our Species: New call for proposals open! http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=164 Body:

The Third SOS – Save Our Species Call for Proposals for Threatened Species Grants is now open and accepting applications until 17:30 Central European Time (CET) on 15 July 2013.

IUCN Members are welcome to apply for an SOS grant for one of the following Strategic Directions:

1. Threatened cycads and conifers

2. Threatened sharks and rays

3. Threatened Central and Western African vertebrates

SOS - Save Our Species is a joint initiative of IUCN, the Global Environment Facility and the World Bank supported by the Fonds français pour l'environnement mondial (FFEM) and Fondation Segré. Its objective is to ensure the long-term survival of threatened species and their habitats.

If you are interested in applying for an SOS grant, please visit the SOS – Save Our Species website, where you will find all of the necessary information and documentation.

For any necessary clarification, please contact: saveourspecies@iucn.org

Published: 17/06/2013
]]> Mirko Marseille Mon, 17 Jun 2013 11:12:32 GMT http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=164 Prague Zoo is flooded. Let’s help! http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=163 Body:

During the first days of June, Prague Zoo has faced another catastrophic flood, eleven years after the floods of 2002. Fortunately, the Zoo was very well prepared and did not hesitate to act. They managed to successfully evacuate animals as well as property. Only a few small animals have been lost. All valuable equipment has been removed, even the signs from the exhibits, from the lower part of the Zoo.

The flood threw Prague Zoo many years back in spite of the fact that the damage seems to be smaller than originally estimated, based on the experience from 2002. Luckily, the water did not reach the level of 2002 and the lower part of the Zoo was flooded for a shorter time. But most importantly, the water did not flow through the Zoo with such destructive force as it did eleven years ago, and 'only' flooded it.

The debris is now being removed by the zoo staff, firemen and also volunteers. More than ten thousands of them offered help while thousands of others and dozens of companies are sending financial contributions or tools and material.

A huge pump with the capacity to remove 1,500 litres per second has drained most of the water from the lower part of the Zoo. The reconstruction of the lower part of the area lies now ahead. Prague Zoo will have to make some adjustments of selected buildings and re-evaluate the usage of some elements, but the main conception is clear: small light-weighed constructions, buildings, which can be flooded without being severely damaged, or buildings designed in such a way, that they will be protected against rising water levels.

It will take several weeks to open the lower part of the Zoo. But the zoological garden itself is already open since Wednesday June 5. It offers dozens of exhibits in the upper part, including the new Elephant Valley and Indonesian Jungle.

It is extremely encouraging that, after the wave of water, Prague Zoo has been flooded with such a huge wave of solidarity. The zoo however also needs help and support after the water recedes. We will be happy if you attend charity events or contribute to the Flood Recovery Account.

Published: 14/06/2013
]]> Mirko Marseille Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:03:11 GMT http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=163 ZSL wins Global Impact Award from Google’s Global Impact Challenge http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=162 Body:

A network of next generation cameras will be installed in Kenya to help stop hundreds of rhinos being slaughtered by gangs of armed poachers every year. One rhino is killed every 11 hours in Africa, as poachers cash in on soaring demand for horn products – fuelled by myths about their alleged medicinal properties. Today (Monday 3 June) conservationists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) won a £500,000 grant from Google's Global Impact Awards to deploy state-of-the-art camera traps in Tsavo National Park, Kenya and help stop the daily massacre of rhinos and elephants.

This crucial funding will see cameras with automated sensors installed in poaching hotspots within months – saving hundreds of animals over the next two years. As well as instantly transmitting images of intruders to park rangers, the cameras can detect vehicles from vibrations and triangulate the sound of gunshots, so that park rangers can pinpoint the location of poachers and intervene immediately.

A public surge of support for the project saw huge numbers of people vote online for ZSL to receive this critical funding ahead of nine other finalists. ZSL's campaign was backed by celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Derren Brown, Ben Fogle, Dermot O'Leary and Edith Bowman.

ZSL's field conservation director, Professor Jonathan Baillie, says: "These life-saving cameras will help stop the slaughter of rhinos, which has seen more than 1,000 killed in Africa in just eighteen months. "Over the next two years we plan to cut poaching in Kenya's Tsavo National Park by 50 per cent and help park rangers protect endangered rhinos, elephants, and more, before it's too late."

 

Published: 05/06/2013
]]> Mirko Marseille Wed, 05 Jun 2013 15:12:54 GMT http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=162 Alarming situation for protected forest elephants in the Central African Republic http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=161 Body:

Poachers have entered one of Africa's most unique elephant habitats on Monday, threatening to cause one of the biggest elephant massacres in the region since poachers killed at least 300 elephants for their ivory in Cameroon's Bouba N'Djida National Park in February 2012.

According to WWF sources, a group of 17 armed individuals on Monday entered the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park and headed for the Dzanga Bai, locally known as the "village of elephants", a large clearing where between 50 and 200 elephants congregate every day to drink mineral salts present in the sands.

Two WWF-supported local researchers said that three members of this group armed with Kalashnikov rifles approached them in the forest on Monday, asking for food and directions to the viewing tower at the Dzanga Bai, which is used by scientists and tourists to observe elephants. After giving a false lead, these sources immediately ran away and heard gunshots coming from the Bai on their way into hiding.

Also on Monday, two ecoguards said they saw they saw armed individuals on the Dzanga Bai observation platform shooting in the direction of elephants. While going into hiding, these sources said they saw the vehicle which had transported the 17 gunmen parked at the entrance of the park.

"Unless swift and decisive action is taken, it appears highly likely that poachers will take advantage of the chaos and instability of the country to slaughter the elephants living in this unique World Heritage Site' says Jim Leape, WWF International Director General.

WWF calls on the international community to help restore peace and order in the Central African Republic, which has been rocked by violence and chaos since the beginning of the year, and to help preserve this unique World Heritage Site.

Jim Leape: "We also urge Cameroon and Republic of Congo to provide support to the Central African Republic in preserving this World Heritage Site, which not only encompasses the Bai, but also includes large neighbouring areas of these two countries. Finally, ivory consumer country governments, and notably China and Thailand, must redouble their efforts to end demand – the root cause of the extermination of elephants across Africa."

Source: WWF

More info here:

UN official alarmed over rising violence in Central African Republic nature reserve

17 poachers allegedly enter elephant stronghold in Congo, conservationists fear massacre

 

Published: 10/05/2013
]]> Mirko Marseille Fri, 10 May 2013 11:37:00 GMT http://www.eaza.net/News/newsblog/Lists/Posts/ViewPost.aspx?ID=161