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wildlifeNEWS
African
SUMMER
2018
Your support at work in Africa’s landscapes
Protecting “the forgotten ape”
W
ildlife enthusiasts generally know great apes “hippie chimps” —
the primates adults — so much, that some researchers
a lot about our closest cousins in that make love, not war. think the bonobo is the most playful
the natural world, chimpanzees. species of all.
But often they know less about a primate What about physical differences between
that is equally close and just as fascinating bonobos and chimps? To an untrained In recent decades, bonobos have shed new
— the bonobo (Pan paniscus). eye, it can be hard to distinguish them. light on human evolution and the cognitive
But there are differences — bonobos are capacities of nonhuman animals. In studies
Like chimpanzees, bonobos share more slender, with longer legs. Their faces are they demonstrate cooperation, sharing
than 98 percent of DNA with humans. But usually black, and their lips are bright fruit treats and helping other bonobos
bonobos, though sometimes violent, are pink as opposed to dark. Their hair is — even strangers — access treats for no
more peaceable. They live in matriarchal relatively long and often frames their faces apparent reason other than helpfulness.
groups and famously use sex as a social from a natural middle part. They’re also Such findings help fill in our picture of
tool — to manage conflict and tension or distinguished by tail tufts. wild animal capacities and teach us about
even just say “hello.” This behavior aligns ourselves, since we share an evolutionary
bonobos with humans, who also notably Bonobos’ vocalizations are higher-pitched ancestor with bonobos.
have sex for reasons besides reproduction — “peeps,” and “peep yelps.” You can hear
— emotional bonding, for example. Because these vocalizations and a breathy laugh Bonobos are unique, yet still “the forgotten
of bonobos mellow ways, some call these when bonobos are on the receiving end of ape.” Why are these gregarious, helpful
a tickle. Bonobos really like to play, even as primates lesser known than chimps,
Continued on page 5
Hitting the ground running
Our mission is to ensure wildlife and
wild lands thrive in modern Africa.
AWF Senior Staff
Dr. Tom Ogilvie-Graham
D
Chief Executive Officer
ear friends of African wildlife, I could not have wished for a
Kaddu Sebunya
President more useful and insightful start to my time with AWF. Just
Jeff Chrisfield
days after starting in January, I travelled to see the mountain
Chief Operating Officer gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park, who have had their
Craig Sholley range increased thanks to a gift of land from AWF to the Rwandan
Senior Vice President government. It is the first park expansion in more than 30 years and
Jef Dupain will help protect the endangered — but slowly and steadily growing —
VP for Programs, Central & West Africa
mountain gorilla population.
Charly Facheux
VP for Policy & Strategy
I followed that highly significant day with two visits to the Maasai
Kathleen Fitzgerald
VP for Programs, East & Southern Africa Mara, where AWF may strengthen its involvement in community-
Lindsay Hance Kosnik driven habitat conservation initiatives. I also spent two weeks in
VP for Development & Marketing the Democratic Republic of the Congo reviewing our USAID- and EU-sponsored programs,
Brian McBrearity which integrate biodiversity protection with support for sustainable local livelihoods.
VP for Management Systems
Philip Muruthi A hop across the continent and the ocean and I spent another two weeks in our DC office,
VP for Species Protection visiting trustees, donors, supporters and partners in the capital as well as traveling to
California and Florida. I also squeezed into this two-month period visits to the UK (AWF’s
Editorial Staff
UK office, UK government agencies), various UN agencies and Burundi. The travelling
David Onate
Director, Marketing & Creative around allowed me to meet many staff members and partners as well as to gain a rapid but
Jacqueline Conciatore comprehensive overview of AWF’s operations and programs. This should be very helpful as I
Writer & Editorial Manager work with staff members and trustees to develop AWF’s next five-year strategic plan.
Laurie Channer
Print Marketing Manager Challenges that bear upon wildlife and wild lands in Africa have never been greater. No other
Jim Louden organization can play a more significant part in addressing this than AWF. From influencing
Design & Digital Development Manager governments and public opinion, as with our significant contribution toward the recently
Megan Berman implemented ivory ban in China, to working with national governments on reduction in
Print Marketing Associate
wildlife trafficking, to our direct support for endangered species in programs that spread
Denis Kimathi
Graphic & Multimedia Design Officer right across sub-Saharan Africa, we make an enormous and sustained contribution. For me,
as for AWF, the word “conservation” also means development, and we fully recognize that
KENYA - HEADQUARTERS conservation is in fact principally about people and that by helping people we can provide the
Ngong Road, Karen best and most sustainable protection for the animals we value so much.
P.O. Box 310, 00502
Nairobi
Phone +254 (0) 711 063000 Given the critical importance of AWF’s mission to ensure a thriving future for wildlife and
Fax +254 20 2765030 wild lands in modern Africa, there is much to do, but I know I could not wish for greater
supporters and shall rely on your continued support throughout all the challenges ahead!
UNITED STATES
1100 New Jersey Avenue SE, Ste. 900
Washington, DC 20003 With best wishes,
Toll Free +1 888 494 5354
Phone +1 202 939 3333
Fax +1 202 939 3332
UNITED KINGDOM
P.O. Box 74158
London SE24 4BT Dr. Tom Ogilvie-Graham
Phone +44 7981 183 103 Chief Executive Officer
africanwildlife@awf.org
African Wildlife News is published quarterly.
© 2018 African Wildlife Foundation
African Wildlife News Summer 2018 www.awf.org 3
AWF Roundup
250% INCREASE IN FARMER
INCOMES THANKS TO AWF’S CONGO
SHIPPING PROJECT, WHICH USES A
TUG-BARGE TO CONNECT REMOTE
FARM VILLAGES TO NEW MARKETS.
Improved incomes reduce reliance on
illegal bushmeat hunting and slash-and-
burn agriculture, and thus help protect
endangered bonobos and other wildlife.
UK ivory ban: a big win
In what is hopefully the start of a
trend, the UK showed its commitment
to elephants this year with one of
the world’s toughest ivory bans. The
The sad loss of the world’s country’s April 3 announcement
followed a period of public comment
last male northern white rhino in which 70,000 people, or 88 percent
of those weighing in, called for a ban.
People around the world have expressed their grief at the loss of the world’s last male
northern white rhino. After months of age-related health complications, Sudan the A ban on ivory trade across
rhino deteriorated so badly he could no longer even stand up. Sudan died in March international borders has been
at his home, the AWF-supported Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Millions of people effective since 1990, but many
commented on social media, apologizing to Sudan for the crime of poaching and countries allow domestic trade.
speaking about their sadness and love for the old male. Research has shown that European
countries, including the UK, are the
Sudan had lived under armed guard as a protection against poachers. He left behind largest exporters of legal ivory, often
his daughter, Najin, and her daughter, Fatu, the last two female northern white to Asian countries. The problem is
rhinos. There is a slim hope for the subspecies’ continuation through development that the legal trade not only stimulates
of in vitro fertilization techniques using eggs from Najin and Fatu, stored northern demand, it can provide cover for
white rhino semen and surrogate southern white rhino females. illegal ivory.
Thanks to support from committed donors like you, AWF directly protects rhinos What other countries have domestic
at 11 sites through wildlife law enforcement and population monitoring as well as ivory bans? To date, the US, China,
ranger support, including training and provision of needed housing and equipment. Hong Kong (ban not yet implemented)
At all sites where AWF works, the rhino populations are stable or increasing. and Taiwan. But the hope is for new
bans in Europe and Asia, and that
2018 will shape up to be a turning
point in the fight against ivory trade.
World Wildlife Day
People who care about African wildlife
boosted the cause on March 3, the
fifth-ever World Wildlife Day. This
year, organizers used the special day to
highlight threats facing big cats and to
promote big cat conservation. AWF’s
community stepped up, with thousands
spreading the word on Facebook and
Twitter about our work on behalf of
lions, leopards and cheetahs.
4 African Wildlife News Summer 2018 www.awf.org
Meet African wildlife’s
advocate on Capitol Hill
As director of program design and partner relations,
Dr. Jimmiel Mandima develops and manages relationships
with the agencies that fund about 30 percent of AWF’s work.
You joined AWF as a projects based work, we have clout. Most
officer for the first two years. government agencies co-design
Rachel Kramer
Can you talk about the value of strategies on a regular basis to
field experience? inform U.S. government support
to conservation in Africa, and they
I believe that this is where the
are keen to listen to the authentic
rubber meets the road. Being
African voice that AWF offers.
able to be in the field in our kind can mobilize the corporate world Nothing. The thing is, we have to
of jobs — in terms of engaging Can you talk about some of to recognize that the sustenance prioritize community engagement.
U.S. government partners of their businesses is reliant on You can put money into putting
the differences you observe in
and communicating about functional ecosystems, which fences up. If you do not engage
working on conservation in the
our programs — allows me to means wildlife and wild lands. I locals, they look at you and say,
intimately articulate the reality of U.S. versus in Africa?
think the corporate world should “Your money will get finished. We
what is happening now. Secondly The value of conservation in Africa invest commensurate with what will cut the fences anyway if we
it gives me a one-on-one with transcends into livelihoods. It is they get out of the continent. The want to.” And they will do it. They
technical colleagues who are about putting food on the table. A challenges stem from the current get arrested; they probably have
implementing programs every day, key question asked by an ordinary administration seeming to toe a no money to pay the fine anyway,
so I learn a lot; and likewise, I also villager is “What does it mean for line of trivializing a lot of the U.S. or they get free food in the jail.
get to throw in my own knowledge. me?” And often when we think biodiversity issues on the global So, it is about that — that is what
It is a two-way enrichment. communities do not get it and scale, starting with climate change, distinguishes AWF. We look at
they keep doing so-called “illegal while also pushing to shrink the African ownership at all levels.
Can you talk about your role things” — it is because they have conservation budget. Staff, community engagement,
here at AWF? got to put food on the table. and partnerships on the ground.
First and foremost, my role is to What is one thing you want
In contrast, on this side, people
manage our U.S. government people to know about AWF that What gives you hope?
are very passionate. But, they do
portfolio, to speak about what we they may not know? I am optimistic firstly because of
not put that same passion into
do in Africa, and hopefully that I think AWF genuinely looks at the difference I see AWF making.
engaging with local communities
influences or informs strategic how wildlife and wild lands should We have tested our landscape-
to appreciate
thinking. It requires talking be tangible level conservation approach
the context —
across the entire portfolio. The and we know it works — we
key agencies are USAID, the
to the point of "We are scaling up, contributors
to human well- know success requires cross-
assuming that
Department of the Interior, with
a focus on U.S. Fish and Wildlife
the people are and our approaches being in Africa. jurisdictional collaboration and
It is about coordination of entities such as
Service and now, more and more,
backward or
do not get it. I
are being used by conservation wildlife authorities. We are scaling
the Department of State’s Bureau
of International Narcotics and
say to people, other organizations." actually up, and our approaches are being
used by other organizations.
“Remember, contributing
Law Enforcement Affairs. Overall, to the quality
people there
I particularly engage the key of life, to Secondly, over the last few
have always
players leading the government’s the development and economic years I have seen wildlife and
co-existed intimately with nature.
interagency efforts to combat growth of Africa. conservation champions emerging
They get medicine there. They get
wildlife trafficking. on the African continent, in
firewood there. Why would they
The other is African ownership national governments, regional
want to finish their forest and end
What do you glean from — that Africans should take economic organizations, and all
up with no firewood? But what
between the lines or even leadership. I think that's unique. the way to the African Union. With
options
what people tell you directly The AWF team is more than that kind of policy, governance-
are there?”
is AWF's reputation as a 85 percent African. That we level buy-in, we then have a
conservation organization Can you talk about top goals and established headquarters in Kenya platform to say, “Based on your
and how effective it is? is a very clear statement of AWF’s aspirations, we are now doing this.”
challenges for your program?
priorities and vision, one that I So that gives me tremendous hope.
AWF is highly regarded. In fact, My first goal is very basic: to get
believe is unique to us.
it is seen as the only credible the current administration to Finally, combating wildlife
voice — I can arguably say maintain the U.S. government trafficking is now a global
Isn’t African ownership the only
that — to articulate the African leadership on issues to do with movement. It never used to be.
pragmatic solution? What else
context. Because we also do biodiversity conservation. The Now we are all united — there is a
actually more multi-year, field- will work?
second is to see how much we critical mass.
Continued from page 1 African Wildlife News Summer 2018 www.awf.org 5
gorillas and orangutans? Perhaps mainly of bonobos killed for bushmeat is limited researchers have studied bonobos since the
because they live only in one place, and it’s a compared to other species, but because 1970s. Together, Luo and Iyondji comprise
remote place — deep in the rainforest of the bonobos reproduce slowly, bushmeat one of the largest blocks of bonobo habitat
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). hunting poses a dire threat. in the region.
“Bonobos are under pressure everywhere To support strategic conservation, AWF
‘In serious trouble’ and in serious trouble,” says Jef Dupain,uses satellite imagery and GIS software
Their forest habitat spans about 193,000 AWF's vice president for programs, Central
to map and predict trends in habitat loss
square miles and is demarcated by three and West Africa. “We have a small window and fragmentation as well as human
rivers, the Congo, Kasai and Lualaba. of time to ensure their future.” encroachment. In a recent study, AWF
Throughout their range, bonobos are ecologist David Williams integrated
increasingly at risk from human beings, The good news is that AWF protects ground survey data with satellite imagery
who’ve killed them off to the point bonobos in critical areas. With your support to identify forested areas likely to support
of endangerment. Today there are an and partner investments, AWF established other bonobo populations and to define
estimated 15,000-20,000 wild bonobos two reserves in the DRC’s high-priority linkages between major bonobo habitat
remaining. Maringa-Lopori-Wamba landscape. In blocks. AWF and partners will use this
the 896,000-acre (3,625km²) Lomako– information to facilitate collaborative
Struggling to survive, people who live in Yokokala Faunal Reserve, we train and land-use planning sessions with
the Congo Basin slash and burn forest equip rangers to manage the protected communities and government entities
for conversion to agriculture, destroying area optimally. As a result, bonobos there such as the park service. The result should
and fragmenting bonobo habitat. This are faring well. Tour operators line up be new or improved protected areas for
fragmentation heightens bonobos’ to take visitors to see the bonobos. The bonobos along with zones for livelihood
vulnerability to hunters and also isolates tourism creates revenue for the reserve, uses such as smallholder farming.
bonobo groups that must interbreed to benefits local communities economically,
remain viable. and provides all-important jobs. Also, There’s still so much more to do, especially
researchers seek access to the Lomako given the likelihood that commercial
For a long time, local taboos against hunting
bonobos, and their work expands our logging and mining operations will
bonobos, who are so human-like, protected
knowledge of this fascinating species. eventually open new roadways into the
the peaceable apes. But those mores are
Congo Basin and establish operations there.
dropping off under the influence of cultural The Iyondji Community Bonobo
But with your help, we can ensure that
outsiders and with tradition’s weakening Reserve came about at the request of economic development never comes at the
hold on the young. Today, commercial the community, which saw how the expense of our cousin, the peaceable ape.
bushmeat hunting, supported by ever Lomako reserve benefited local people.
more trade routes, joins habitat loss as a We support daily ranger patrols in this Thank you for help protecting the rare
top threat to bonobos. Some researchers essential protected area adjacent to the Luo bonobo. To learn how to do more, please
estimate that tons of bushmeat are extracted Scientific Reserve, where Kyoto University visit awf.org.
daily in bonobo range areas. The number
Did you know?
Bonobos spend a lot of time
in tree canopies and, like
chimpanzees, they make
nest beds in trees.
6 African Wildlife News Summer 2018 www.awf.org
Expanding a park for gorillas
M
ountain gorillas are the only great ape experience with a price tag that reflects the Mountain gorillas, Volcanoes National Park and
species experiencing a population rise, weight and rarity of the adventure. other parks are an economic engine for Rwanda.
a model conservation success. But we The country generated $404 million from
must not lose sight of the fact that they are still The new 27.8-hectare (68-acre) addition to tourism in 2016. Ten percent of the revenue
the world’s most endangered ape. About 1,000 the park helps reduce pressure on the gorillas from Rwanda parks goes to local communities,
remain today, living in only two places — the especially as they travel in the narrowest which is unprecedented in Africa and a credit
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda and the section of the park. The gorillas often cross park to the Rwandan government. Between 2005
Virunga massif, which extends into Rwanda, boundaries, and if they invade crops, they can and 2015, communities around Volcanoes
Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. get into conflicts with humans. Contact with National Park received over $1 million, which
human settlements also exposes gorillas to supports school development, scholarships,
Thankfully, this still vulnerable sub-species got disease risk, one of the biggest threats to the infrastructure, employment and other services.
a measure of added protection early in 2018 gorilla. If mountain gorilla populations are to
when AWF donated land to expand habitat in survive and thrive, Volcanoes National Park During the land hand-over ceremony in January,
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park in must be strategically protected. AWF President Kaddu Sebunya said: “I am
the Virungas. excited by the great strides Rwanda is taking
AWF bought the land with support from to develop its natural heritage sustainably and
Although it only covers 160 square kilometers, the Annenberg Foundation, specifically to guarantee long-term socio-economic stability
Volcanoes is a national treasure, attracting donate it to the Rwandan government as for its people.
tourists from all over the world. Most are the first park expansion in over 30 years.
interested in the area’s unique gorilla treks. The expansion helps Rwanda invest in its “Through proactive government policies,
After hiking the misty mountains, one comes rich biodiversity and develop economic community involvement, and open governance,
face-to-face with the silverbacks and their opportunities through tourism. Rwanda is demonstrating that development and
families. The trek is an unforgettable conservation are not mutually exclusive.”
African Wildlife News Summer 2018 www.awf.org 7
Thomas Mukoya
Thomas Mukoya Thomas Mukoya
Dee Ann Pederson
8 African Wildlife News Summer 2018 www.awf.org
Wildlife WATCH Congo Peafowl
Just like the bonobo, the Congo shrubs.” Today, for birdwatchers, the chicks, which grow to
peafowl is found only in the a sighting of the elusive peafowl is independence quickly.
Democratic Republic of the Congo. still regarded as a remarkable feat.
It’s a shy bird that the scientific They are classified as vulnerable
world didn’t even know about These ground-dwelling birds are to extinction, with an estimated
until the 1930s. In a story well- the only true pheasant on the 2,500 and 9,000 individual adults
known among naturalists and continent. They are about as big remaining in the wild. Top threats
birders, American ornithologist as a chicken, and the males have include habitat loss and hunting.
James Chapin saw two unfamiliar a striking white bristly crown. (There are reports of the birds
feathers tucked into a headdress The tail fans out during display, being hunted with snares and
while traveling through the not as large as some of the most sold much like chickens in local
Congo — but he couldn’t find impressive peacocks, but their markets.) Besides humans, Congo
the matching bird for almost 25 coloring is beautiful nonetheless. peafowls’ natural predators
years. According to Christine The males have a spur on the include leopards and other
Jackson, author of Peacock, in inside of their legs that is thought large cats, and snakes are
to be used for fighting. known to eat their eggs. AWF’S WORK TO
1936 Chapin finally saw taxidermy PROTECT BONOBOS
versions of the birds, and the next IN RESERVES
Congo peafowls are monogamous, Congo peafowls are (SEE PAGE 5)
year he returned to the Congo
and males (peacocks) help the DRC’s national bird ALSO BENEFITS
forest. This time, he glimpsed the CONGO PEAFOWL
females (peahens) raise and appear on colorful
peafowls “scuttling through the
postage stamps.
AJ Haverkamp
COMMUNITY CONNECTION WHY I GIVE…
Marianne Lazarus:
Kids generally love wildlife, ‘We don’t have to be heroes…’
and AWF benefits, in letters
I’ve always loved animals and volunteer at a no-kill animal
containing inspired art.
always wanted to travel. After shelter, and I founded a non-
Here’s a sample of the kind
I retired, I suddenly had extra profit named after a cat that
of artwork we get, often with time, so I began to do both. came into the rescue. (Gideon
donations or requests for I started volunteering at an taught me what gentleness and
more info about helping. The animal shelter. (That was an eye dignity really mean.) I petition,
artist here, a third grader, and heart opener!) And, I was call and write my legislators
said, “I am very concerned fortunate enough to spend a and local papers about wildlife
about the elephant and I month in Africa. (That was a protection and animal welfare.
would like to help. Please life changer!)
Sometimes it feels as if my
send me information on
When I stepped off the plane in efforts aren’t enough. After all,
what I can do.”
the Serengeti, I knew my life was I’m not there when a wild animal
transformed. The Maasai people is in crisis and needs special
I met struck me as ethical and attention and help. I am not on
gentle, the African landscapes the front lines. But after giving
were majestic, and I was it some thought, I realized that
impressed by the sovereignty anything we do to help, while
that radiated from the great and perhaps not heroic, is, indeed,
In decades working on conservation, I have rarely seen this
small beings that own the plains. valuable. So, my life is now given
kind of outpouring grief for a wild animal. This time there was I knew what I must do to help, in to wildlife conservation, and
a sense of mortification that something horrible had happened. my very small way, to help keep AWF is a beneficiary in my will.
Sudan’s death is probably the first time that young Africans have these beings safe, alive We don’t have to be heroes to
confronted extinction in their lifetime as something real, not as and thriving. save lives. We just have to care.
history or a story in a Discovery Channel documentary.
That is why I support the – Marianne Lazarus
– Kaddu Sebunya’s answer to a bloggers’ question African Wildlife Foundation. AWF supporter
about the death of Sudan, the world’s last male I also am in my 14th year as a
northern white rhino. CONNECT WITH US
You can help AWF protect the world’s remaining rhino species.
Visit awf.org to learn more or awf.org/AWNdonate to donate. awf.org/facebook awf.org/twitter awf.org/instagram
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