Tigris Foundation
Amur leopard Conservation Annual Progress Report August 2000
Report by: Michiel Hötte
Contents
Thank you for your support ! ...................................................................................................................... 3 Tigris Foundation and its partners ............................................................................................................ 3 Amur leopard conservation in China ....................................................................................................... 4 The Amur leopard anti-poaching team .................................................................................................... 4 Compensation scheme .............................................................................................................................. 5 Present education projects......................................................................................................................... 6 New education projects............................................................................................................................... 7 Fire-Fighting.................................................................................................................................................. 7 Amur leopard monitoring ........................................................................................................................... 8 Sponsors and financial information....................................................................................................... 8
Contact data: Tigris Foundation Laagtekadijk 135 1018 ZD Amsterdam Holland phone/fax: +31-20-6206274 e-mail:
[email protected] internet: http://www.inter.nl.net/users/tiger Bank: Post bank account: # 4640403 Bank: ABN/AMRO, Postbox 21030, 1000JN Amsterdam, swiftcode: ABNANL2A, account # 620376902
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Thank you for your support ! This is the third progress report of Tigris Foundation about the conservation projects for the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis). In 1996 experts from all over the world conferred in Vladivostok to discuss the conservation of the Amur leopard. The conference produced an impressive conservation plan that covered, among other things, anti-poaching, research, habitat protection, education and land-use planning. The programme had only two major draw-backs: there were no funds and no organisational structure available for its implementation. As a result many participants were sceptical, fearing it would turn out to be a mere “paper tiger”. None of the participants could have dreamed at that time that it would take only four years to implement most components. This report provides an up-date on the field projects for the Amur leopard, including: 1.
the anti-poaching team
2.
the compensation programme
3.
education projects
4.
a newly established forest fire-fighting team
5.
Amur leopard monitoring
Tigris wishes to thank all those who contributed to our conservation projects for the Amur leopard. A list of all sponsors can be found on page 9. We hope you will continue to support us in the future. We also want to thank our partners from Phoenix, WildAid (formerly GSN) and the Hornocker Wildlife Institute. Without them it would have been impossible to develop and implement the projects that are described in this report.
Tigris Foundation and its partners Tigris is a Dutch organisation for the conservation of the Amur leopard and Siberian tiger (or Amur tiger). Tigris is part of the Siberian Tiger Support Coalition (STSC). STSC was established and is coordinated by WildAid from the USA (formerly GSN). Other STSC members are Ouwehands Zoo (Holland), David Shepherd Foundation (UK), 21st Century Tiger (UK) and I-Mei Foundation (Taiwan). STSC was originally formed to finance the Amba anti-poaching project to save the Siberian tiger. Amba was a success and the situation of the Siberian tiger has been stabilised, at least for the present and given continued outside support. However, the Siberian tiger is not the only threatened species in the region. STSC has therefore expanded its activities into habitat conservation and the protection of other rare species such as the Amur leopard. WildAid has been instrumental in the creation of a Russian NGO named Phoenix. Phoenix is based in Vladivostok and is our partner on the ground. Phoenix is involved in programme development and implementation as well as fund raising.
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Amur leopard conservation in China All current Amur leopard projects are located in Russia. However, we would like to expand our conservation activities into China in the near future. Surveys indicate that approximately 10 Amur leopards range into China. Most of them are not permanent residents, but individuals that occasionally cross the border from Russia. A conference in China about the conservation of Siberian tigers and Amur leopards in Northeastern China is scheduled for October 2000.
The Amur leopard anti-poaching team The Amur leopard anti-poaching team started its operations in January 1998 and was the first ever in situ conservation project for the Amur leopard. The team operates in Khasan, a relatively small area between Vladivostok and the Chinese border, where most of the surviving Amur leopards live. Amur leopards are seriously threatened by poachers. They are hunted for Traditional Chinese Medicine in the same way as Siberian tigers, and their prey base is also depleted by
poaching. The intensity of poaching has been much reduced since the team
started its work. The rangers are not only involved in anti-poaching on land. They also act against the illegal taking of sea cucumbers in and around a local marine reservation. The leader of the antipoaching team supervises the newly established forest fire-fighting project, and team members are involved in educational activities and in implementation of a compensation programme for leopard and tiger depredations on livestock. Much of the success of the team can be attributed to the skills of its leader, Andrei Yurchenko, a former army intelligence officer and a veteran of the Afghan war. In November Andrei received word from an informant that somebody was trying to sell two skins in the village of Barabash, not far from the Kedrovaja Pad reserve. It was decided to call in the newly-established interregional team to investigate. One of the tasks of this new inter-regional team is to provide assistance to the other anti-poaching teams. Everybody in Khasan knows the faces of the rangers on the leopard team as well as the cars they drive in, so an undercover investigation can only be successful when it is conducted by personnel unknown in the region. The interregional team managed to establish contact with the traders and gain their trust. On the 14th of December 1999 the traders were arrested when they showed the rangers the skins of a female and a male leopard, offering these for sale at $500 and $1000 respectively (in comparison: many people in Khasan earn no more than $50 a month). Another Amur leopard skin and a dozen tiger skins were confiscated by the inter-regional team in a sting operation in Vladivostok in April 2000. During this operation Steven Galster of WildAid successfully posed as a foreign trader interested in buying skins, and Sergei Bereznuk of Phoenix was acting as his interpreter. A picture of the skins that were confiscated in Khasan is shown on the Tigris internet site: www. inter.nl.net/users/tiger (go to "updates").
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Amur leopard anti-poaching team results (1998 and 1999) Activities
1998
1999
Total number of protocols:
146
209
including: -
hunting regulations
43
43
-
illegal fishing
89
128
-
illegal logging
3
9
-
narcotics
2
-
pollution
7
-
illegal collection of Ginseng
3
Confiscated rifles
44
39
67
100
Other poaching equipment confiscated: -
fishing nets and spears
-
tiger/leopard cage trap
-
sets of dving equipment
1
-
boats
10
11
10
3
Confiscated poached items -
birds
4
40
-
sea cucumbers
31463
79540
-
fish
348 kg
-
Amur leopard skins
414 kg 21
-
logs
7 truck loads
40 m3
Compensation scheme There are six deer farms in Khasan where leopards and tigers regularly kill deer. On these farms sika deer are raised for their antlers which are sold to Chinese importers for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Tigris Foundation finances a compensation scheme to reimburse farmers for their losses. The scheme is implemented by Phoenix and the anti-poaching team; each reported livestock kill is inspected by a ranger of the team before compensation is paid by Phoenix. We hope that the compensations will increase support for leopard conservation and will help to prevent attempts to kill leopards and tigers that frequently visit farms. To date, 3 deer farms have signed a contract and participate in the compensation scheme. Between August 1999 and May 2000 a total of USD 1146 was paid to compensate for 21 livestock kills (19 deer, 1 horse and 1 calf) by leopards and tigers. All kills except the horse
1
These 2 skins were confiscated in Khasan by the interregional anti-poaching team. An additional skin was confiscated in March 2000 in Vladivostok during a sting operation by the inter-regional team.
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were made at one particular deer farm. This farm is located on a peninsula and is the largest deer farm in Khasan (approximately 80 km2). Compensation for individual livestock kills is not the only support deer farms receive; in addition, deer fodder is supplied in winter. The amount of fodder provided depends on the number of leopards and tigers living around the farm, so that farmers are in effect rewarded for allowing these cats to live and hunt on their land. Tiger and leopard numbers are established during surveys carried out when there is good snow cover. The farms have also received practical support such as petrol and spare parts for the truck that is used to transport deer fodder. At one farm a shed is to be built to protect deer fawns from predators. The compensation scheme has been operational for less than a year and only one farm joined it at the start. As a result, the available dataset is still small and we are not sure if the situation at this particular deer farm is representative. However, we would like to share a few of our preliminary conclusions and impressions with you. •
The number of deer killed is higher than expected. It may well be that the deer farms play a more important role in the food supply of the tigers and leopards than was thought.
•
The majority of the deer killed at the farms are killed by tigers. There are approximately three times more leopards in Khasan than tigers. If we take that into account, the data indicate that individual tigers make many times more live-stock kills than individual leopards. The rangers that investigate the kills report that the tigers usually eat only a small part of a kill and do not return for a second bite. The leopards, on the other hand, return to eat until there is nothing left. This is probably one of the reasons why the leopards kill less often. Another possible reason is that some leopards may leave the premises of a farm when a tiger is present. This is something that needs to be studied more closely.
•
Four fully grown deer were killed in 11 days by a tigress with two almost full-grown cubs. The farm staff reported that the kills were made when the cubs climbed the farm fence for the first time. During summer leopards and tigers usually kill deer fawns, because they are easy prey. In this instance, the tigress may have turned to killing fully grown deer because she considered the fawns to be a too meager meal for her family. It is also possible that she wanted to show her cubs how fully grown deer are killed.
•
Tracks in the snow and the locations where deer carcasses are found give an indication of the hunting methods that leopards and tigers use on the farms. It seems that in many cases the deer are chased along the fence and killed in a corner.
Present education projects The current educational projects in Khasan will be continued. These projects are: •
Distribution among schoolchildren in Khasan of an educational, full colour book about the Amur leopard.
•
Presentations at schools by an experienced teacher. She shows slides and videos about leopards, tigers and nature in general and organises games and quizzes as part of her presentation.
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•
An annual “Wildlife Festival” for schoolchildren in the leopard region. During the festival an art contest as well as quizzes are organised and the children can win attractive prizes.
•
Schoolchildren from Khasan are taken to a nearby educational facility. The excursion, including transport in a specially painted schoolbus, is free of charge. The children visit a wildlife museum that houses beautifully painted panoramas with stuffed animals, among them a stuffed Amur leopard. After the visit to the museum, they go for a walk along an interpretive nature trail set in a forest near a reserve.
New education projects The educational programme will be expanded this year with a number of new activities: •
An essay contest named "Khasan Miracle”. Children in Khasan are invited to express their ideas about nature conservation in writing. The topics of the essays vary from conservation of endangered species to water pollution and forest fire prevention. The first essay contest was organised in April 2000.
•
Wildlife festivals organised in children’s summer camps in Khasan with games, quizzes and a presentation by a member of the anti-poaching team about their work. These camps are located in modest holiday resorts along the Khasan coast line. The resorts are visited by locals as well as tourists from Vladivostok and other nearby towns.
•
The “Green Rangers” Project. This project will give teenagers in Khasan an opportunity to become active conservationists. In each of the eight major schools in Khasan an outposts will be created for “green rangers”. Each outpost will have a “green rangers” room with a small library of books and videos and a closet for equipment. The activities of the outpost will be displayed in a specific corner or wall of the room, where green rangers can show their nature observations in the form of pictures, photos, articles, art and video materials. Children that become “green rangers” will receive a smart-looking uniform. Each of the eight groups will be led by a teacher specially selected and trained for this purpose. Green rangers will participate in conservation activities together with the anti-poaching team, leopard experts and forestry specialists. The activities will include: •
Cleaning recreation areas and putting up signs that warn against littering and fires
•
Setting ecological routes in forests with educational signs that explain phenomena that can be seen along the trail
•
Planting Korean pines in areas where they have disappeared as a result of logging and fires
•
Joining the anti-poaching team on patrols against illegal recreation and environmental pollution (the green rangers will not be taken on anti-poaching patrols, because these are too dangerous);
•
Assisting in ecological tours organised for tourists and schoolchildren.
Fire-Fighting A fire-fighting team began operations in Khasan in January 2000, fighting seasonal forest fires that have destroyed large areas of Amur leopard habitat. The members have been trained in firefighting and are provided with equipment such as chainsaws, air compressors and fire-resistant clothing. The team has an army truck at its disposal, fitted with a water tank. The members receive a fixed salary, but only during the fire season (5 months a year). If there are no fires
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during the fire season, they work on the creation and upkeep of a system of fire lanes that will help to prevent fires from spreading from one area to another. The leader of the team receives a salary all year round. Outside the fire season, he gives presentations in schools about the necessity of fire prevention and assists the anti-poaching team. The fire-fighting project is supervised by the leader of the anti-poaching team, Andrei Yurchenko. The team has already successfully extinguished several fires. On one occasion the arsonist was arrested; he was collecting scrap metal and had started a fire to reveal metal parts hidden by grass and bushes in fields and forest edges. In most cases fires are started by farmers who set fire to their fields in order to improve the fertility of the land.
Amur leopard monitoring Each year an Amur leopard count takes place in Russia to provide data on leopard distribution and density. Leopards, Siberian tigers and ungulates are counted using standardised methodology, in winter when fresh snow has fallen. As many as 120 people are involved; each of them follows a specific route and makes notes of tracks of leopards, tigers and ungulates found in the snow. No count was made in 1999, but the count in 1998 estimated a total of 40-44 Amur leopards. Unfortunately, it was not possible to include the total range of the Amur leopard in this year’s count, because the snow cover was not sufficient in some areas. The results from areas where counting was possible indicate that the numbers have not changed. The count results are used for the following purposes: •
as an “early warning system” in case a dramatic decline in leopard numbers occurs.
•
as an indicator to determine the success of the conservation programme.
•
for the development of a land-use plan for the Amur leopard region. For this purpose the count data will be analysed with the help of satellite imagery and computers (a Geographic Information System (GIS) will be developed for the analysis).
The funds for this year’s count were provided by WWF (the main sponsor this year), the Hornocker Wildlife Institute and Tigris Foundation.
Sponsors and financial information In 1998 and 1999 most costs were covered with a one time grant of USD 75,000 from a Dutch lottery. We are very happy that many organisations (and especially zoos and affiliated conservation organisations) stepped in to ensure that these projects could be continued and expanded. Tigris Foundation works together closely with Sarah Christie of London Zoo EEP Coordinator for the Amur tiger and (jointly with Tanya Arzhanova of Moscow Zoo) for the Amur leopard, and with Alan Shoemaker, AZA representative and the international leopard studbook keeper. With their help Tigris Foundation has successfully expanded the network of sponsoring zoos. The majority of funds are now provided by EAZA 2 zoos and affiliated organisations, but support from AZA 3 institutions is also growing.
2
EAZA: European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
3
AZA: American Zoo and Aquarium Association
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An overview of income and allocation of funds (in 1000 USD) is provided below4. Sponsors:
1996&
1998
20005
1999
1997 EAZA institutions
15
5
49
5
AZA institutions
5
Dutch charities (not affiliated to EEP)
6
61 2
7
8
21
68
90
18
Others Total
Allocation:
1996&
1998
34
20006
1999
1997 Anti-poaching team
10
Compensation project
32
34
5
10
4
Fire-Fighting
3
Education projects
3
Leopard monitoring
1
Total
2
2
4
5
2
2
2
5
5
2
16
49
86
13
Organisational support to Phoenix Tigris travel, promotion and office costs
31
33 not yet spent
4
Included is financial support for Amur leopard in-situ projects that was raised by Tigris Foundation. Funds raised and channeled to the field by other organisations is not included.
5
Donations up to August 2000. Most donations are made during the second half of the year.
6
Allocation of the funds up to August 2000. USD 33,000 has not yet been allocated to projects.
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The sponsors of Tigris Foundation are listed below. •
Alliance for Conservation of Species and
•
Japan Wildlife Conservation Society
Populations (Germany)
•
La Torbiera Zoo (Italy)
•
Audubon Zoo (USA)
•
London Zoo (UK)
•
Blackpool Zoo (UK)
•
Ouwehands Zoo (Holland)
•
Boise City Zoo (USA)
•
Rolling Hills Refuge (USA)
•
Conservation of Species & Populations of
•
Rotterdam Zoo (Holland)
Animals (CEPA) / Mulhouse Zoo (France)
•
Safaripark Beekse Bergen (Holland)
•
Doen Foundation (Holland)
•
Sedwick County Zoo (USA)
•
Elyse Mathilde Foundation (Holland)
•
Sierra Endangered Cat Haven (USA)
•
Endangered Species Fund of Canada /
•
Van Tienhoven Foundation (Holland)
Jungle Cat World (Canada)
•
Wild About Cats (USA)
•
Erie Zoo (USA)
•
Wildlife Conservation Centre (USA)
•
Folsom Children’s Zoo (USA)
•
Wildlife Park Cricket St. Thomas (UK)
•
Helsinki Zoo / Friends of Helsinki Zoo
•
Zoos Help (Holland)
(Finland) Tigris Foundation is not the only organisation that supports Amur leopard conservation. Other organisations include: •
Barbara Delano Foundation (USA)
•
Hornocker Wildlife Institute and Wildlife Conservation Society (USA)
•
Phoenix (Russia)
•
WildAid (USA)
•
WWF Vladivostok (Russia)
The Barbara Delano Foundation is co-sponsor of the leopard anti-poaching team and the main sponsor of the Fire-Fighting project. The Hornocker Wildlife Institute and the Wildlife Conservation Society support and implement, among other projects, surveys in Russia and China. They also provide financial support and equipment to reserves in Khasan.
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