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People who have a stake in their environment are more likely to volunteer to assist conservation but they must be empowered to do so. This study explored the possibility of harnessing volunteers in the control of an invasive predator, the American mink Neovison vison, which decimates seabird colonies in coastal west Scotland. A questionnaire was sent to ecotourism boat operators, a group assumed to have an economic interest in wildlife biodiversity and a stake in their environment, to gauge their opinion on lethal control of American mink. The majority (64%) of respondents were concerned about the presence of mink in their area, agreed with control in principle and were willing to become involved in a volunteer capacity. Respondents who would not volunteer but agreed with control (21%) might reconsider if mink had a visible impact on their local wildlife. The minimum level of support people expected was information on where to get, and how to deploy, monitoring and trapping equipment. This study confirms that people with an intrinsic interest in wildlife consider themselves willing to protect their local biodiversity, with only limited resource input, such as an information pack, from external sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Endangered Mangshan pit viper Protobothrops mangshanensis is endemic to the Nanling Mountain Range of China. It has been targeted for exploitation to satisfy the international pet trade and zoological collections since it was described. Long-term intensive exploitation and habitat destruction have resulted in drastic reductions in wild populations, pushing this rare species towards extinction. Since 1990 only limited investigations have been conducted and the most optimistic estimation of the population size was 300–500 individuals, in 2000. Since then, however, there have been no updates on the population status of this snake in the wild. To provide baseline data for effective conservation of this species we conducted a study of its status and distribution, during 2007–2010. Only eight individuals were found during fieldwork and we documented the illegal harvesting of >30. The total population of the species was estimated to be 462, occupying c. 105 km2 in the Nanling Mountain Range. The black market price of a Mangshan pit viper is currently >USD 1,000 kg−1 and illegal trade has led to over-harvesting, which is the greatest threat to the species. Our study indicates that protected areas cannot effectively protect this pit viper if the trade in this species cannot be controlled. Based on the results of our study we present five recommendations for conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considerable resources and efforts have been directed at biodiversity conservation in recent years, but measures of the success of conservation programmes have been limited. Based on information on population sizes, trends, threatening processes and the nature and intensity of conservation actions implemented during 1994-2004, we assessed that 16 bird species would have probably become extinct during this period if conservation programmes for them had not been undertaken. The mean minimum population size of these 16 species increased from 34 to 147 breeding individuals during 1994-2004. In 1994, 63% of them had declining populations but by 2004, 81% were increasing. Most of these species (63%) are found on islands. The principal threats that led to their decline were habitat loss and degradation (88%), invasive species (50%) and exploitation (38%), a pattern similar to that for other threatened species, but with exploitation and invasive species being relatively more important. The principal actions carried out were habitat protection and management (75% of species), control of invasive species (50%), and captive breeding and release (33%). The 16 species represent only 8.9% of those currently classified as Critically Endangered, and 1.3% of those threatened with extinction. Many of these additional species slipped closer to extinction during 1994-2004, including 164 that deteriorated in status sufficiently to be uplisted to higher categories of extinction risk on the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2006). Efforts need to be considerably scaled up to prevent many more extinctions in the coming decades. The knowledge and tools to achieve this are available, but we need to mobilize the resources and political will to apply them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between April and August 1994, three steps were taken to assess the status of Baird's tapir Tapirus bairdii in north-eastern Honduras: (i) forest cover was mapped to estimate the amount of habitat available; (ii) interviews with local people were conducted to determine where the species occurs; and (iii) searches were made for tapir signs in several mountain ranges to corroborate interview information. Local reports and searches indicated that the species occurred in forests throughout the area. Using density estimates of 0.05–0.24 tapirs per sq km, there may be 520–2760 tapirs in the 10,400–11,500 sq km of contiguous rain forest that remains in north-eastern Honduras—a population large enough to have a good chance of long-term persistence. The main threat to the population is human colonization, which is destroying the forest along the rivers and major streams. This is fragmenting the tapir population into isolated units, which will be increasingly subject to the stochastic events that drive small populations to extinction. Hunting, which along with habitat destruction, is a major contributor to the rapid decline of tapir populations in areas of human colonization, does not appear to pose an immediate threat in the study area. However, population trend data are lacking and the impact of hunting on tapirs remains unassessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of diurnal primate populations was carried out in Odzala National Park, Republic of the Congo, over 3 months in 1994 and 2 months in 1995. The park contains a high diversity and species-specific abundance of primates, and has the highest number of diurnal primates (10 species) in the forest block of Central Africa. Eight species of monkey: greater white-nosed monkey Cercopithecus nictitans, moustached monkey Cercopithecus cephus, crowned guenon Cercopithecus pogonias, De Brazza‘s monkey Cercopithecus neglectus, talapoin Miopithecus talapoin, white-cheeked mangabey Cercocebus albigena, agile mangabey Cercocebus galeritus and guereza Colobus guereza, as well as gorilla Gorilla g. gorilla and chimpanzee Pan t. troglodytes were sighted in the survey. Monkey species richness was highest in dense inundated forest and thicket, with all eight species occurring in these habitats, whereas only four species were found in terra firma forest (consisting of the park's two main habitats, open-canopy Marantaceae forest and closed-canopy primary forest). Three of the four species (C. nictitans, C. cephus and C. albigena) present in terra firma forest were most abundant in closed-canopy primary forest (1.4, 1.0 and 0.6 groups per km, respectively) while the fourth (C. pogonias) was most abundant in open-canopy Marantaceae forest. Gorilla nests were most abundant in open-canopy Marantaceae forest (12.1 nests per km), while chimpanzee nests were mostly found in closed-canopy primary forest and Marantaceae forest (14 and 12 nests per km, respectively). Odzala has the highest recorded densities of western lowland gorilla (mean=5.4 individuals per sq km) and chimpanzee (mean=2.2 individuals per sq km) in Central Africa. The high densities of gorillas and chimpanzees may be a result of the high productivity of the forest and low poaching pressure. Conservation measures to ensure the maintenance of conditions in the area, such as educational programmes, are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data are presented on the changes in distribution and abundance of the Mongolian saiga Saiga tatarica mongolica in the last few decades, based on an analysis of the literature and the authors’ field observations. The subspecies has suffered a considerable decline in its range because of hunting and competition with domesticated stock. In 1997 a survey was made of almost all the known range, which consists of two disjunct areas and covers a total of 2200 sq km. A total of 609 animals was recorded and analysis of the census results suggests that c. 1300 saiga remain in total. The authors recommend strengthening the nature reserve established in 1993 in the Shargyn Gobi, and creating several sanctuaries outside this area, where Mongolian saiga from the main remaining population could be reintroduced. These measures would enhance prospects for the survival of this endemic subspecies of the semi-deserts of western Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atelognathus nitoi is a microendemic leptodactylid frog restricted to the area surrounding the pond Laguna Verde in the Nahuel Huapi National Reserve, north-west Patagonia, Argentina. Its habitat is potentially threatened by a number of anthropogenic and natural factors. The aim of this study was to obtain basic knowledge of the biology and habitat of the species, which would be useful for selecting management measures to ensure its conservation. The area was surveyed during all four seasons in 1996 and 1997 and Laguna Verde was sampled intensively in winter and in summer. Atelognathus nitoi is distributed patchily. The preferred microhabitats of adults and juveniles are the most humid areas of the forest. Reproduction and larval development occurs only in lentic environments. Laguna Verde is the only known permanent waterbody suitable for reproduction every year. During rainy years reproduction can also take place in temporary ponds. Action towards the conservation of A. nitoi should be aimed at preserving both the terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Laguna Verde appears to be a key site for the A. nitoi source population and plays an essential part in the conservation of this species. In terrestrial habitats it is vital to preserve the heterogeneity of the lower strata in the forest. The knowledge gained through this study has allowed the authors to suggest protective measures to mitigate or eliminate the impact of certain stressors on the ecology of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of the slender loris Loris tardigradus, a Vulnerable primate, was carried out in the Dindigul Forests of Tamil Nadu, India, in 1996 in order to assess prevalence. Lorises were found in high densities in the open Euphorbia scrub forests and in crop lands nearby. Although most often seen in bushes and Acacia trees, the species uses a wide variety of vegetation and substrates. Individuals were found mostly at an altitude of 300–500 m. Body measurements taken on sample animals revealed that the population belongs to the subspecies L. t. lydekkerianus. Conservation measures for the species in this region include additional surveys and evaluation of prospects for establishing a slender loris sanctuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conservation status of the sun-tailed guenon Cercopithecus solatus, which is endemic to central Gabon, is assessed using the most recent information available. The known range of the species covers 11,000–12,000 sq km, an area with a sparse human population but where the logging activity is widespread. There is no evidence of a recent reduction of the population size of this monkey, mainly because trees are extracted at a low rate (1–2 trees/ha), which does not cause a significant change in the forest composition and structure, and because hunting pressure is currently low. Moreover, the species is suspected to be able to thrive in degraded secondary forests. Consequently, the sun-tailed guenon does not appear to be under immediate risk of extinction. The conservation actions undertaken to date are described and the threats that may affect the monkey in the near future are discussed. Commercial bush-meat hunting is considered to be the most serious threat for the species. Recommendations for the conservation of wild populations and habitat are proposed, and emphasis is placed on co-operation with the forestry companies that are the main economic actors in the species's range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on several topics discussed at the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership meeting held in Kushiro, Japan in January 2015 is presented. Topics include the conservation outcome for migratory waterbird species, the recovery of the black-faced spoonbill Platalea minor, and challenges facing the Flyway Site Network. Also mentioned are the renewable energy, bird strikes, and the potential impacts of wind turbines.

The article presents a response to the paper "The international wild bird trade: what's wrong with blanket bans?" by Rosie Cooney and Paul Jepson. According to the author, Cooney and Jepson argued on the ineffectiveness of blanket bans to prevent trade of endangered birds and its negative impact on the livelihood of poor communities, but neglected to cover the issue of national governance implications of externally imposed bans. In addition, the Wild Bird Declaration, the issue of bans on wild caught species stimulating captive breeding, and connection of bird flu and conservation are discussed.

Reports on the meeting organized by IUCN/SSC's Canid Specialist Group and Conservation Breeding Specialist Group on African wild dog conservation planning in Pretoria. Ways of recovering dog populations in the wild; Establishment of predator conservation zones; Translocation of the harvested metapopulation without threatening animal survival.