This Grey-Faced Sengi is only known from two forests in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania, both of which are fully protected but vulnerable to fires. The species was first described this year and has been placed in the Vulnerable category.

Barcelona, Spain, 6 October, 2008 (IUCN) – The most comprehensive assessment of the world’s mammals has confirmed an extinction crisis, with almost one in four at risk of disappearing forever, according to The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, revealed at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona.
The new study to assess the world’s mammals shows at least 1,141 of the 5,487 mammals on Earth are known to be threatened with extinction. At least 76 mammals have become extinct since 1500. But the results also show conservation can bring species back from the brink of extinction, with five percent of currently threatened mammals showing signs of recovery in the wild.

“Within our lifetime hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions, a frightening sign of what is happening to the ecosystems where they live,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General. “We must now set clear targets for the future to reverse this trend to ensure that our enduring legacy is not to wipe out many of our closest relatives.”

The real situation could be much worse as 836 mammals are listed as Data Deficient. With better information more species may well prove to be in danger of extinction.

“The reality is that the number of threatened mammals could be as high as 36 percent,” says Jan Schipper, of Conservation International and lead author in a forthcoming article in Science. “This indicates that conservation action backed by research is a clear priority for the future, not only to improve the data so that we can evaluate threats to these poorly known species, but to investigate means to recover threatened species and populations.”

The results show 188 mammals are in the highest threat category of Critically Endangered, including the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus), which has a population of just 84-143 adults and has continued to decline due to a shortage of its primary prey, the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

China’s Père David’s Deer (Elaphurus davidianus), is listed as Extinct in the Wild. However, the captive and semi-captive populations have increased in recent years and it is possible that truly wild populations could be re-established soon. It may be too late, however, to save the additional 29 species that have been flagged as Critically Endangered Possibly Extinct, including Cuba’s Little Earth Hutia (Mesocapromys sanfelipensis), which has not been seen in nearly 40 years.

Nearly 450 mammals have been listed as Endangered, including the Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), which moved from Least Concern to Endangered after the global population declined by more than 60 percent in the last 10 years due to a fatal infectious facial cancer.

The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), found in Southeast Asia, moved from Vulnerable to Endangered due to habitat loss in wetlands. Similarly, the Caspian Seal (Pusa caspica) moved from Vulnerable to Endangered. Its population has declined by 90 percent in the last 100 years due to unsustainable hunting and habitat degradation and is still decreasing.

Habitat loss and degradation affect 40 percent of the world’s mammals. It is most extreme in Central and South America, West, East and Central Africa, Madagascar, and in South and Southeast Asia. Over harvesting is wiping out larger mammals, especially in Southeast Asia, but also in parts of Africa and South America.

SanWild is in desperate need of funds in aid of an emergency wildlife rescue operation. Two giraffes were spotted close to Tzaneen in an area made up of pine and eucalyptus plantations late yesterday (21 April 2009).

The animals seemed disorientated and the one has been injured. Both run a serious risk of starving to death as there is no food for them in the area. It is possible that the animals were introduced into a area from which they escaped and now they find themselves in serious trouble. Reports have also been received about a third giraffe in the area that is also lost. We have not yet managed to establish its exact whereabouts.

The local conservation departments normally have only one solution to the problem on hand and that is to shoot the animals to spare them a death from starvation. SanWild can offer an alternative solution and that is to dart, capture and relocate the animals to the safety of the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary.

While our local SPCA is trying to persuade the conservation department to give us the relevant capture and relocation permits, SanWild is desperately seeking urgent financial assistance to mount this rescue. Today, 22 January 2009, is a public holiday in South Africa and it is also our national elections and all the necessary arrangements for this rescue will unfortunately have to wait until tomorrow.

The approximate capture, relocation and veterinary charges, inclusive of helicopter and transport costs will be very expensive. SanWild will appreciate your urgent response; even if you could consider funding only a small part of the costs by making a donations, no matter how large or small.

SanWild is intending to mount the rescue asap; weather and funds permitting by Friday 24 April 2009. The giraffes lives will be depend on the successful conclusion of such a rescue. They cannot possibly survive in the area in which they are now lost.

If you would like to make an on-line donation please visit our website www.sanwild.com. Go to the Sponsor/Donate Page and use the drop down box to find “Emergency Rescue – Giraffes”. Alternatively a direct banking transfer can be made into our trust account. Details are on our website.

Please do not hesitate to e-mail SanWild should you have any questions or need clarification on the matter. You may contact them on +27 (21) 987 6171 or +27 (15) 318 7900. SanWild is a non-profit organisation and we are dependent on your support.

Thank you kindly.

SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary

SAWCER is to undertake a conservation project relating to the Heaviside Dolphin located in the surrounding ocean area of Porth Nolloth, South Africa. Port Nolloth was established in 1854 as a small-vessel harbor. In addition to this the town also acts as a railway junction for the copper-mining industry. Port Nolloth is a also at the center of the diamond recovery and the crayfishing industries. It is because of these industries and the absence of any substantial research data of the impact these industries are having on the dolphin species in the area that SAWCER has undertook to establish a presence in this area.

Specifically focusing on the Heaviside dolphin species, the project aims to document various aspects of the Heaviside dolphin species and ensure its protection in the area through local community awareness campaigns. By studying and collecting as much data as possible with regard to the dolphin’s behaviour, including feeding and migration patterns, the impact of fishing, the impact of mining, and identifying threats, SAWCER hopes to gain enough insight into the dolphin species and its environment to benefit both it and the community.

The Blue Crane is one of 15 species of cranes worldwide. The Blue Crane is also the National Bird of South Africa and is threatened according to the IUCN red data list. These are special birds that display wonderful parenting skills, a master of martial arts when threatened and the most beautiful dancing displays during the breeding season. They are long lived birds that only breed once a year and they are monogamous. Are you interested?

To most people in the Western Cape, the privilege of seeing our National Bird all throughout the Cape has masked the fact that the Blue Crane is in trouble. How could they be threatened when we see them all the time? But the truth is they are. The common sightings of them are perfectly normal when one considers that the Western Cape holds about 50% of their population. Go anywhere else in South Africa and you will have to search with difficulty to spot them. If we had to lose the Cape population tomorrow the cranes are in big trouble. Unlike the other two species of crane in South Africa, the Blue Crane is the only one that is near endemic. Endemic means that Blue Cranes are only found here in South Africa and the ‘near’ part of the word pertains to the tiny population in Namibia. If we lose our Blue Cranes, that’s it…game over.

Blue cranes in the Western Cape are found on unnatural habitat and therefore face many threats. The crane can become a problem for farmers through crop damage and the ever so popular habit of feeding from feed troughs. This often leads to active persecution through poisoning. Other threats cranes face are collisions with power lines and fences, bailing twine becoming entangled on their legs and feet as well as the capture and keep of cranes.

SOUTH AFRICAN CRANE WORKING GROUP

My name is Bronwyn Botha and my aim is to look after the cranes in the Western Cape. I am a field worker with the South African Crane Working Group (SACWG) of the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT). SACWG is a working group of the EWT aimed at conserving South Africa’s Cranes. My job within the Western Cape is diverse.

The Blue Cranes are special in so many ways. Yes you might think I am biased, but take the time to watch them, find out about them, and you will understand. Let us work together to save our national bird and the treasure of the Western Cape.

Within the Western Cape you can contact Bronwyn Botha on 082 3200911. For more information please visit www.ewt.org.za.

During early August, the 50/50 TV production crew arrived at Sanbona to try and capture on film the first collaring of the Riverine Rabbit. Jan Coetzee, Wildlife Manager is conducting research on the riverine rabbit to complete a Masters degree. Also present was Jan’s research supervisor from Cape Peninsula University of Technology. This was an exciting event because it was the first time since 1989 that the riverine rabbit would be collared.

Furthermore, it was also the first time that the rabbit was filmed in the renosterveld since their discovery in July 2006. Typically of a critically endangered species they remained elusive and the freezing cold weather experienced did not make things easier for the film crew and Sanbona wildlife team. During 50/50’s last night stay at Sanbona, the film crew finally managed to film a Riverene Rabbit although the collaring was unsuccessful since the rabbit could not be captured. This only added strength on the reporting of these endangered animals. The search for the Riverene Rabbit to be collared is to be continued.