Illegal trade of sun bear parts in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak

Malaysia is a known source and consumer of bear bile products in Asia, and sun bears are persistently poached to meet the demand for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Surveys of TCM outlets in the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak were conducted in 2018 and 2019 as part of continuing efforts to monitor the availability of bear bile products in the country. Despite being illegal, the trade in bears and their parts persists, although with fewer TCM outlets offering such products in comparison to numbers reported in previous studies. In 2012, 42% of TCM outlets in Sabah and 35.4% in Sarawak were found to contain bear bile products. This has since dropped to 35% in Sabah and 19.3% in Sarawak in 2018-2019. Gall bladders were the main type of commodity for sale in both states, and were reportedly sourced predominantly by indigenous people. It was evident that most retailers surveyed were aware that the trade in bears and their parts was strictly prohibited, and some traders claim to have stopped selling illegal bear products for this reason. However, some traders who continue to trade in these illegal commodities have become more discreet. These factors contribute to the reduction in TCM outlets observed selling bear bile products. This reduction may also be due to diminishing sun bear populations, as some traders have claimed to have stopped selling bear bile products because of the rarity of or difficulty in procuring genuine bear gall bladders. The threat of illegal trade, combined with loss and degradation of suitable habitat and food resources as well as conflict with humans, puts sun bears at considerable risk. Efforts to mitigate these threats are urgently needed. Reduction of demand for bear parts is essential, as is stronger legal protection, enhanced enforcement and increased community involvement in bear conservation actions to ensure the long-term survival of viable bear populations in Asia.

Download Full-text

Ongoing decline of suitable habitat for the Critically Endangered Gurney's pitta Hydrornis gurneyi

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605320001258 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Tommaso Savini ◽

Nay Myo Shwe ◽

Niti Sukumal

Keyword(s):

Industrial Development ◽

Large Scale ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Term Survival ◽

Long Term Survival ◽

Lowland Forests

Abstract From 1999 onwards, level, lowland forests (altitude < 150 m, slopes < 10°) in the Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar have been cleared on a large scale and replaced by oil palm plantations. This has resulted in a drastic decline in suitable habitat for several species, including Gurney's pitta Hydrornis gurneyi (Passeriformes, Pittidae). The habitat for this species has decreased by > 80%, leading to its categorization as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2019. As threats in the region have continued, we updated information on the status of the species’ habitat in January 2020, and examined forest loss in the three strongholds where the species still persists in the wild. Since the previous estimate in 2017, suitable habitat in these locations has decreased by 8% (from 656 to 603 km2), with > 10% of the remaining area now in fragments of < 1 km2, which are unsuitable for the mid- to long-term survival of the species. Forest degradation and edge effects from increased fragmentation have led to further loss of suitable habitat in these strongholds. Projections indicate that unless conservation action is taken, all suitable habitat will disappear by 2080. The main threat to the long-term survival of Gurney's pitta is the lack of legal protection of primary lowland forests, resulting in uncontrolled clearance for small- and large-scale agriculture and industrial development. We provide recommendations to reduce the rate of loss of the remaining suitable habitat for the species.

Download Full-text

Monitoring of Gyps species vulture in Nawalparasi district, Nepal

Banko Janakari ◽

10.3126/banko.v18i2.2171 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 35-43

Author(s):

P Subedi

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

School Children ◽

Veterinary Drug ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Term Survival ◽

Conservation Awareness ◽

Vulture Conservation ◽

Gyps Bengalensis ◽

Breeding Status

Critically endangered White-rumped vulture (WRV), Gyps bengalensis and Slender-billed vulture (SBV), Gyps tenuirostris monitoring was conducted in Nawalparasi district in the winter of 2005 following Postupalsky criterion. The objectives of this study were to identify and monitor nest localities, behaviour and to explore information about the vultures. A total of 48 Gyps vulture nest was located at six colonies. Of these nests, 18 were found to be active nets, six nests belonged to SBV and 12 nests belonged to WRV. Hundred percent nestling successes were observed in the study area. Restricted pesticides i.e. BHC and DDT were found used in this area. Diclofenac was the commonly used veterinary drug in the treatment of livestock. Carcasses disposal practice was found favorable to the vulture's survival. Gyps vulture richness found in this area is due to the availability of food i.e. floating carcass along the edge of the Narayani river and suitable habitat for roosting and nesting. The majority of the respondents had found favorable attitude towards vulture conservation. Further studies on Gyps vulture to identify the breeding status, head droppings behavior as well as conservation awareness program for local people and school children are recommended for long-term survival of these lords of the sky in the study area. Key words: Gyps vulture, monitoring, diclofenac, pesticides doi: 10.3126/banko.v18i2.2171 Banko Janakari, Vol. 18, No. 2, 35-43

Download Full-text

Long-term declines of wader populations at the Tagus estuary, Portugal: a response to global or local factors?

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270910000626 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 438-453 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

TERESA CATRY ◽

JOSÉ A. ALVES ◽

JOANA ANDRADE ◽

HELDER COSTA ◽

MARIA P. DIAS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Legal Protection ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Tagus Estuary ◽

Population Declines ◽

East Atlantic ◽

Term Survival ◽

The Past ◽

Atlantic Flyway ◽

East Atlantic Flyway

SummaryMigratory wader populations face global threats, mainly related to increasing rates of habitat loss and disturbance driven by human activities. To a large extent, the long-term survival of these populations requires the conservation of networks of sites along their migratory flyways. The Tagus estuary, Portugal, is among the most important wetlands for waders in the East Atlantic Flyway. Annual winter wader counts have been carried in this wetland since 1975 and a monthly roost-monitoring programme was implemented in 2007. Wintering populations of three out of the five most abundant species, DunlinCalidris alpina, Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaand RedshankTringa totanus, showed significant population declines over the past three decades, which are most likely due to the loss and degradation of roost sites as a result of increasing human activity. The situation is unlikely to improve, as a high proportion of the wintering waders use roost sites that are situated in highly urbanised areas with no legal protection. The use of different roost sites by waders is highly variable both temporally and spatially, thus emphasizing the need for a network of good quality roost sites. Additionally, during migration, 60–80% of all the waders of the Tagus estuary concentrate at a single refuge, thus increasing the risk for wader populations during these periods.

Download Full-text

Planning the peninsula-wide recovery of the Iberian lynx: identification of favourable habitat areas

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mammalia-2019-0052 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 84 (5) ◽

pp. 413-420 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Germán Garrote ◽

Javier Fernández-López ◽

Eva Rojas ◽

Guillermo López ◽

Miguel Angel Simón

Keyword(s):

Iberian Peninsula ◽

Habitat Suitability ◽

Large Scale ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Iberian Lynx ◽

Lynx Pardinus ◽

Term Survival ◽

Potential Habitat ◽

Presence Data

AbstractThe creation of new populations through reintroductions in their former range is still necessary for the long-term conservation of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). A large-scale assessment of habitat suitability is a necessary prerequisite for evaluating the possibility of carrying out lynx reintroductions. We modelled habitat suitability for the Iberian lynx in the Iberian Peninsula using MaxEnt. Lynx presence data for 2010–2013 from Andujar-Cardeña and Doñana populations were used. Habitat variables were quantified using the CORINE Land Cover. This habitat suitability model predicted an environmentally suitable area of 87,747 km2, which represents 14.08% of the whole Iberian Peninsula. Of the total suitable habitat identified, 45% is located in a large continuous area in the south-western quadrant coinciding with the historical range of the species in the mid-20th century. However, there are also relevant patches mainly in the north-eastern quadrant. About 55% of the potential area suitable for the lynx falls outside protected areas. If Iberian lynx populations are to attain levels that will facilitate their long-term survival, it will be necessary to consider potential habitat for the species throughout the whole of the Iberian Peninsula.

Download Full-text

Modeling Impacts of Climate Change on Giant Panda Habitat

International Journal of Ecology ◽

10.1155/2012/108752 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Melissa Songer ◽

Melanie Delion ◽

Alex Biggs ◽

Qiongyu Huang

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Giant Panda ◽

Climate Models ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽

Term Survival ◽

Giant Pandas ◽

Panda Habitat ◽

General Climate

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are one of the most widely recognized endangered species globally. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the main threats, and climate change could significantly impact giant panda survival. We integrated giant panda habitat information with general climate models (GCMs) to predict future geographic distribution and fragmentation of giant panda habitat. Results support a major general prediction of climate change—a shift of habitats towards higher elevation and higher latitudes. Our models predict climate change could reduce giant panda habitat by nearly 60% over 70 years. New areas may become suitable outside the current geographic range but much of these areas is far from the current giant panda range and only 15% fall within the current protected area system. Long-term survival of giant pandas will require the creation of new protected areas that are likely to support suitable habitat even if the climate changes.

Download Full-text

Predicting the distribution of vulnerable fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus in Nepal

10.22541/au.163250122.21120276/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rama Mishra ◽

Hans de Iongh ◽

Herwig Leirs ◽

Babu Ram Lamichhane ◽

Naresh Subedi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Genetic Connectivity ◽

Suitable Habitat ◽

Term Survival ◽

Potential Habitat ◽

Comprehensive Information ◽

Potential Habitats ◽

Effective Conservation

The fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus is a wetland specialist endemic to South and Southeast Asia. Nepal represents the northern limit of its biogeographic range, but comprehensive information on fishing cat distribution in Nepal is lacking. We compiled fishing cat occurrence records (n=154) from Nepal, available in published literature and unpublished data (2009 – 2020), to assess their distribution. Bioclimatic and environmental variables associated with their occurrence were used to predict the potential fishing cat range using MaxEnt modeling. Fishing cat distribution was influenced by elevation, precipitation of the warmest quarter (18_bio), precipitation of the driest month (14_bio) and land cover. Wetlands and forest cover were the important predictors of fishing cat distribution. The model predicted an area of 4.4% (6,679 km2) of Nepal as potential habitat for the fishing cat. About two third of the predicted potentially suitable habitat lies outside protected areas, however a large part of the highly suitable habitat (67%) falls within protected areas. The predicted habitat map serves as a reference for future investigation into fishing cat distribution as well as formulating and implementing effective conservation programs for fishing cats in Nepal. Fishing cat conservation initiatives should include habitats both inside and outside the protected areas to ensure long-term survival. We recommend conservation of wetland sites, surveys of fishing cats in the identified potential habitats, and study of their genetic connectivity and population status.

Download Full-text

Poisoning causing the decline in South-East Asia’s largest vulture population

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270918000126 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 41-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

ROBIN LOVERIDGE ◽

GERARD EDWARD RYAN ◽

PHEARUN SUM ◽

OLIVER GRAY-READ ◽

SIMON P. MAHOOD ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Veterinary Drug ◽

Term Survival ◽

Carbamate Pesticides ◽

Dipterocarp Forests ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

Education Campaigns ◽

Gyps Bengalensis ◽

Training Of Personnel ◽

Short Term Survival

SummaryCambodia supports populations of three Critically Endangered vulture species that are believed to have become isolated from the rest of the species’ global range. Until recently Cambodia’s vulture populations had remained stable. However a recent spike in the number of reports of the use of poisons in hunting practices suggests the need to re-evaluate the conservation situation in Cambodia. Population trend analysis showed that since 2010 populations of the White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus have declined, while the Slender-billed Vulture Gyps tenuirostris may also have started to decline since 2013. These trends are supported by evidence of reduced nesting success. A survey of veterinary drug availability revealed that diclofenac, the non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug responsible for vulture declines in South Asia was not available for sale in any of the 74 pharmacies surveyed. However, a poisoned Slender-billed Vulture tested positive for carbofuran in toxicology tests. This provides the first evidence of a vulture mortality resulting from carbofuran in Cambodia. The findings suggest the urgent need to tackle use of carbamate pesticides in hunting. Proposed conservation actions are: a) prevention of poisoning through national bans on harmful carbamate pesticides and diclofenac and education campaigns to reduce demand and use; b) training of personnel in priority protected areas in detection and response to poisoning incidents; c) maintenance of a safe and reliable food source through vulture restaurants to ensure short-term survival, and d) protection and restoration of large areas of deciduous dipterocarp forests to enable long-term species recovery.

Download Full-text

Freshwater crabs of Vietnam: diversity and conservation

Journal of Vietnamese Environment ◽

10.13141/jve.vol6.no2.pp109-114 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 109-114

Author(s):

Van Tu Do

Keyword(s):

Rain Forest ◽

Agricultural Development ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Viet Nam ◽

Nam Co ◽

Term Survival ◽

Freshwater Crabs ◽

Conservation Actions ◽

High Diversity

The freshwater crab fauna of Vietnam has a high diversity and endemism, 49 species have been recorded and 42 of them are only known from this country. In addition, many species are undescribed or undiscovered while at least 10% of known species are facing extinction. Water pollution, urban, industrial and agricultural development, habitat loss and fragmentation, deforestation and overexploitation are the main threats to this fauna. The first conservation recommendation is keeping rain forest tracts large enough to maintain habitat and water quality for long-term survival of these crabs. More research on taxonomy, distribution, population dynamics, main pressures, conservation status are needed in order to assess conservation status and create efficient conservation actions for freshwater crabs in Vietnam. Khu hệ cua nước ngọt ở Việt Nam có mức độ đa dạng và đặc hữu cao với 49 loài đã được ghi nhận, trong đó có tới 42 loài chỉ được biết đến ở Việt Nam. Ngoài ra, nhiều loài cua nước ngọt còn chưa được mô tả hay chưa được khám phá, trong khi có tới 10% trong tổng số loài đã biết đang phải đối mặt với nguy cơ tuyệt chủng. Ô nhiễm môi trường nước, đô thị hóa, phát triển công nghiệp và nông nghiệp, nơi sống bị phân mảnh và mất, phá rừng cùng với khai thác quá mức là những mối đe dọa chính đối với khu hệ này. Công tác bảo tồn trước hết phải giữ cho diện tích rừng đủ lớn để duy trì chất lượng môi trường sống cho sự tồn tại lâu dài của các loài cua này. Các nghiên cứu về phân loại học, phân bố, động lực quần thể là rất cần thiết để đánh giá tình trạng bảo tồn và đưa ra những hành động bảo tồn hiệu quả cho các loài cua nước ngọt ở Việt Nam.

Download Full-text

Caspases and apoptosis

Essays in Biochemistry ◽

10.1042/bse0380009 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 38 ◽

pp. 9-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 121

Author(s):

Guy S Salvesen

Keyword(s):

Cysteine Proteases ◽

Signalling Pathways ◽

Term Survival ◽

Mature Adult ◽

Intracellular Signalling Pathways ◽

Adult Cell ◽

Caspase Family ◽

Cell Fragments ◽

Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

The ability of metazoan cells to undergo programmed cell death is vital to both the precise development and long-term survival of the mature adult. Cell deaths that result from engagement of this programme end in apoptosis, the ordered dismantling of the cell that results in its 'silent' demise, in which packaged cell fragments are removed by phagocytosis. This co-ordinated demise is mediated by members of a family of cysteine proteases known as caspases, whose activation follows characteristic apoptotic stimuli, and whose substrates include many proteins, the limited cleavage of which causes the characteristic morphology of apoptosis. In vertebrates, a subset of caspases has evolved to participate in the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and thus members of the caspase family participate in one of two very distinct intracellular signalling pathways.

Download Full-text