"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead, American anthropologist, 1901-1978
You see, bulldozers appeared without warning and started to clear one of Nigeria’s last remaining forests.
The Ekuri people rose up quickly – they have a lot of experience defending their forest against the exploitation of others.
The Ekuri people and Rainforest Rescue have developed a powerful coalition over the years.
They want to get the government of Cross River State to abandon its plans for a superhighway to nowhere.
If it were to be created, that superhighway would impact national parks, forest reserves – and 185 villages along its 270 kilometre route.Sixty Eco-Guards are being trained to protect the forest by Martins Ego and activities of the NGOs Ekuri Initiative and DevCon.
One of the species of wildlife who will be particularly affected if this highway goes ahead is the endangered Cross River Gorillas because the region is home to the Afi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Please help the Ekuri people defend their forest home and protect it for people and wildlife – especially the gorillas! Find out more and donate here
Over 15,200 animals have been caught in Queensland’s shark control programm since 2001. Dolphins, turtles and whales were left struggling for hours – many had long and agonising deaths.
The Hon. Mark Furner is in charge of removing these death traps and replacing them with more effective technology to protect marine life and swimmers.
The Queensland Government spends $13.1 million a year on their shark control programme, but only $1 million of that goes on researching and trying non-lethal alternatives. The result is that anyone who swims near them is threatened by them.
New South Wales and Western Australia re both trying more effective non-lethal technologies, so please sign the petition to hold the Queensland Government accountable for all the marine lives killed in their shark control programme. It is a lethal one.
Some 575 animals have been trapped in shark nets and drumlines in Queensland alone this year.
Progress is being made – the trialling of drones has started at 5 beaches but we all need to put the pressure on.
Please sign and share and let’s get the Queensland Government moving on saying no to nets.
Tristan da Cunha is a remote island chain in the South Pacific. It’s 2,400 kilometres from the nearest land!
And Birdlife International report that Tristan da Cunha has been declared a Marine Protection Zone, one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries and a pristine wildlife haven.
The MPA is nearly three times the size of the UK. MILLIONS of seabirds, fish and mammals Penguins and seals, threatened sharks and whales will all benefit. 25 seabird species breed here, four of which are unique to the islands and which are also globally threatened. It includes the World Heritage Site of Gough Island which is a renowned albatross stronghold, and, it could be argued, one of the most important seabird islands in the world
The MPA has been established thanks to international collaboration between governments, NGOs and local islanders. The whole thing was instigated by the Tristan de Cunha government and the RSPB.
The Tristan islanders themselves led the way however, as nature guardians in the Atlantic Ocean. They have already declared protected status for over half their territory, and they know that the sea is critical for their long term survival. They are proud to play a key role in protecting the health of the oceans.
Recently, a study found that banned fishing in 5% or more of the ocean would increase global catches by 20% plus in future. And of course this newly protected MPA ties into the wider global goal to secure protection of 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 to tackle climate change and the biodiversity crisis.
There’s some good news from the conservation world that I wanted to share with you today so here it is:The World Land Trust have had a very successful autumn.
I’m thrilled to say that they hit the required fundraising target of £100,000 in just a few weeks to protect vital gorilla habitat in Africa. The success of #FutureforGorillas means that there’s a safer future for Camaroon’s great ape population. The fundraiser kicked off on 4 September and hit its target, thanks to the kindness and generosity of donors in early November.
The World Land Trust’s partner, the Environmental and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), now has the resources to start creating a forest corridor in eastern Cameroon.
The area is home to Western Lowland gorillas, chimpanzee, elephants, pangolins, hippos, leopards and other species as well. The creation and protection of forests will mean that species can keep their populations strong in number and have a future. Here’s the video about it:
Their Big Match Fortnight Appeal hit its target of £500,000 in a fortnight!
Donors from around the world joined together and made a difference to the incredible appeal to help the World Land Trust and its partner in Ecuador save the last 2% of the Chocó Forest.
The Appeal is still open so you can still donate (I’m writing this on 14 November 2020) which means that even more of the forest can be saved and protected for wildlife.Decades of logging have destroyed 98% of the Chocó forest.
And the World Land Trust’s partner, FJ, got the chance to save the remaining 2% of it – about 57,000 acres in all – from one firm.
Other organisations are involved but the support from World Land Trust donors means that 1,667 acres will be saved – that’s an expansion of the Canandé Reserve which links it to other areas that are protected in the region.
The area is so diverse that scientists took just 45 minutes to find a new species!In fact, 25% of its flora and 10% of its fauna can’t be found anywhere else on earth The Canandé Reserve is a botanical haven. It’s home to about 375 bird species and 135 reptile and amphibian species of whom 28 are globally threatened. Goodness knows how many other species live there!
The more support the appeal has, the more their forest home can be extended and protected.Support this appeal here
You could also support the #NottooLate Appeal Fund, enabling the World Land Trust to act quickly wherever conservation action is needed.
It's back! There's a repeat of Snow Cats and Me on BBC2 at 8pm on Friday 13 November 2020!
Here's my post from the previous showing:
I'm watching a lynx catching the first rays of sun on her fur ever, in Russia. This lynx is one of two who have been rescued from a chap who kept two lynx to breed from and this amazing rescuer has got the owner to hand them over.
The rescuer is big cat expert Dr Victor Lukarevsky who is trying for the first time ever to rescue lynx and rehabilitat them so that they can go back into the wild. This is in complete contrast to their previous life when they were living in cages in a garage.
Lynx are wanted for the pet trade and fur trade in Russia.
Do I tell you or not, if you haven't seen the programme? Well, I'm bursting so I have to! The two lynx Dasher and Briansk (not sure if I've spelt their names correctly) were released in the stunning Khakassia State Reserve, Siberia, deep in the Siberian wilderness, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one to have tears falling down my face at the sight of Briansk gingerly stepping into unknown territories and taking uncertain looks around him before heading off away from his rescuers. The park is patrolled by rangers and it's a very remote area indeed - you don't see any signs of people at all.
The footage of the lynx kittens was gorgeous, with their beautiful faces and inquisitive natures. If you haven't seen the programme, please take a look!
