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Project List
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| Project title: |
Ecology and Conservation of Takin |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr. William McShea |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2009 |
| Objective: |
Takin are vulnerable and understudied: takin are listed on Appendix II in CITES, considered vulnerable by the IUCN, and are in first order protected status within China. They overlap in range with giant pandas and are considered competitors due to their consumption of bamboo, but are much less studied.
This baseline study for 4 years will lead to a larger range-wide survey to determine their conservation status in China, and the data obtained are critical to the development of management and conservation plans for takin. |
| Project
title: |
Abundance and Distribution of Tiger and Prey, and Prey Selection by Large Carnivores in a Montane Tropical Forest of Northern Lao PDR. |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. Chanthavy Vongkhamheng |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2009 |
| Objective: |
Tigers (Panthera tigris) are critically endangered across its distributional ranges. Absence of reliable data on the status of tigers and prey limits our ability to design effective management strategies for conservation of these animals. This proposed project aims to assess the abundance and distribution of tigers and prey using the systematic camera traps, and to examine the prey selection patterns by tigers using scat analysis in the 4,200 sq. km Nam Et-Phou Louey national protected areas in northern Laos. Results not only provide basic data to the government of Laos to design the effective wildlife conservation strategies that ensure the survival of tigers in the long-term, but also allow a test of the hypothesis that tiger density is a function of prey abundance. |
| Project
title: |
Capacity Building in Mitigation of Human–elephant Conflict to Reduce the Negative Impact to the Elephant and to the Community |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr. Wahdi Azmi |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2009 |
| Objective: |
Human elephant conflict (HEC) is a major threat to the Sumatran elephant. HEC results in a lack of local support to conserve this species and its habitat. The communities become less tolerant of wild elephants, leading them to use different method to kill or capture the problem animals. In the past, the target community has not had support to understand the problem holistically and be taught how to live peacefully with the surrounding wildlife. A community based project is needed to mitigate the HEC which benefited from a comprehensive assessment on site specific potential solutions, and education with local people on appropriate agricultural techniques. |
| Project
title: |
Distribution, Natural Habitats, and Exploitation of Freshwater Turtles in Guangdong Province, South China |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr. Alex T. Chow |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2009 |
| Objective: |
Over-collecting, illegal trade and habitat destruction of freshwater turtles have increased dramatically in south China, pushing almost all Chinese turtles towards extinction. Quantitative data on the population, distribution, and habitat requirements of endangered freshwater turtles are urgently needed to evaluate the impact of illegal activities on wild population and to provide recommendation and suitable management for conservation. In addition to scientific research, the PI's proposed study will initiate an ecotourism and provide education and training opportunities in order to implement a long-term conservation plan for reptiles in Guangdong Province. |
| Project
title: |
Radio Telemetry Study to Investigate the Environmental Triggers to Activity in the Endangered Keeled Box Turtle (Cuora mouhotii) (Gray, 1862) in Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam. With a Focus on Student Training and Involvement in the Telemetry Study |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. Timothy McCormack |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2008 |
| Objective: |
Vietnam as with its neighbouring countries is suffering from extreme overexploitation of flora and fauna, chelonians have faced pressures from hunting and habitat loss in the last two decades that have resulted in the Asia Turtle Crisis. This research on Cuora mouhotii would answer questions about the behaviour and environmental triggers for the species as well as allow for more detailed comparisons between seasonal home range sizes. The participation of 16-20 students in the training course and three internships on the telemetry study will develop an interest in chelonian conservation amongst the next generation of Vietnamese biologist. |
| Project
title: |
Continuation of Community Based in-situ Marine Turtle Nest Protection and Community Outreach Programme in Rekawa, Sri Lanka |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. K.A.D.T.J Kapurusinghe |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2008 |
| Objective: |
Five sea turtle species nest in Rekawa beach of Sri Lanka. All are listed as either endangered or Critically Endangered by IUCN's redlist. All turtle populations are declining rapidly in Sri Lanka due to many reasons such as egg collection, slaughter for flesh, turtle by-catch, and habitat destruction. Many coastal community members are heavily dependent on marine and coastal resources in destructive manner. TCP has initiated community based turtle conservation efforts in Kosgoda and Rekawa by employing egg collectors as nest protectors. TCP community projects were heavily destroyed and disturbed by the 2004 tsunami event. TCP is now in the process of recovering and looking for support to continue its marine and coastal conservation efforts in Sri Lanka. |
| Project
title: |
Conservation of Marine Turtle at Sandspit/ Hawkesbay, Karachi Coast |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. Syed Ali Hasnain |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2008 |
| Objective: |
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) are the two species that nest along the Sandspit/ Hawkesbay beaches at the Karachi coast. It is one of the important nesting beaches in the world. There are various anthropogenic threats to this habitat and marine turtle. Sindh Wildlife Department has a hatchery where they transfer the eggs for safe hatching. Yet the habitat is affected and people are unaware of the importance of the species. It is intended to create awareness and build the capacity of local community in turtle conservation besides lobbying with the relevant departments to minimize various threats. |
| Project
title: |
Asian Pangolin Conservation Program – Developing Captive Management Guidelines to Reduce Mortality of Pangolins Confiscated from the Illegal Wildlife Trade |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. Nguyen Van Thai |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2008 |
| Objective: |
Asian Pangolins are illegally traded in massive quantities throughout Asia and wild populations have suffered significant decline. Placement options for pangolins confiscated from the wildlife trade are completely inadequate. Most pangolins placed in rescue centers die within a few days, due to a lack of resources and expertise. The newly established Asian Pangolin Conservation Program currently houses seven confiscated pangolins, and will receive further confiscated animals. This project will enable the urgent research required on nutrition, housing, veterinary care to develop rehabilitation and captive management guidelines to reduce mortality of confiscated pangolins throughout the region. |
| Project
title: |
Saving the Haring Ibon: Research, Local Capacity-building and Education Campaign on the Endangered Philippine Eagle within the Southern Sierra Madre Protected Landscape, Luzon |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. Jayson Ibanez |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2008 |
| Objective: |
The Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is one of the most critically endangered birds of prey in the world. Currently, there is little scientific information available on the Luzon population, severely limiting our ability to develop appropriate conservation initiatives for the species. This project aims to ensure the long-term survival of the Philippine Eagle by conducting research on the biology and ecology of the species. Research will focus on: identification of nesting sites within the Northeastern Sierra Madre Mountain Range, nest site selection, prey items, breeding biology and telemetry studies. Conservation International will also continue its awareness campaign, to encourage local communities to protect the Philippine Eagle and its habitat. |
| Project
title: |
ECO-REEFS: Building for the Future - Eco-friendly Rehabilitation of Hong Kong's Coral Reefs - Coral Farm Component |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr. James True |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2008 |
| Objective: |
Hong Kong's coral communities are dwindling as a result of natural and human-induced stresses. The reduced growth rate of hard corals (only a few centimeters per year) means that recovery from impacts is slow. This project aims to recycle waste materials, rehabilitate coral communities and enhance conservation of Hong Kong's biodiversity through natural processes using specially designed ECO-REEFS, utilizing construction waste, farmed coral propagules and new technologies to accelerate carbonate deposition. These reefs will consolidate a matrix of rubble and living coral from sustainably farmed propagules, attracting a diversity of marine species. |
| Project
title: |
Enriching and Utilizing our Knowledge of Local Seahorse Populations to Scale up Community-based Initiatives for Seahorse Conservation on Danajon Double Barrier Reef |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr. Amanda C.J. Vincent |
| Project period: |
2007 - 2008 |
| Objective: |
The overall goal of this project is to help secure a future for wild populations of seahorses in the central Philippines. The PI has studied the population dynamics and life histories of seahorses on Danajon Bank since 1998, through years of overfishing. The PI has also catalyzed the creation of many community-managed no-take marine reserves. As of 2004, all seahorse extraction has been prohibited in the Philippines, as an inadvertent consequence of international trade controls. The PI has a special opportunity to evaluate the life history and population consequences for seahorses of the marine reserves and fisheries ban, both to inform action elsewhere and to lay the groundwork for management plans should seahorse fishing resume. |
| Project
title: |
Saving Rafetus : Emergency Recovery Efforts to Prevent the Extinction of the World’s Most Endangered Turtle |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. Rick Hudson |
| Project period: |
2007 |
| Objective: |
The giant Yangtze softshell is facing imminent extinction, successful breeding of the recently discovered egg-laying female with the male in Suzhou Zoo could be the last chance to save this largest species of freshwater turtle in the world. We are supporting a conservation biologist to oversee the transportation of a female turtle for captive breeding, and producing education materials. |
| Project title: |
Marine Mammals and Marine
Turtle By-catch Reduction Awareness, Habitat Restoration
and Nature Tourism Programme in Sri Lanka |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. K.A.D.T.J. Kapurusinghe |
| Project period: |
2006 - 2007 |
| Objective: |
26 species marine mammals are found in Sri Lankan waters and five sea turtle species nest in Sri Lanka and all turtles species are listed as either endangered or critically endangered by IUCN’s red list. Most marine mammal and sea turtle populations are declining rapidly in Sri Lanka due to many reasons such as by-catch in fisheries, slaughter for flesh, habitat destruction, lack of awareness and poverty reasons etc. Many coastal communities are heavily dependent on marine and coastal resources in destructive manner. TCP aims to improve habitats and to reduce mortality rates of marine mammals and turtles in Sri Lanka, by educating and training local communities and providing livelihood alternatives as source of income. |
| Project
title: |
Mooring Buoy Project for
Reef Protection in Komodo National Park, Indonesia |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ms Helen Elizabeth Newman |
| Project period: |
2006 - 2007 |
| Objective: |
In Komodo National Parks, the number of large boat dive operators has increased rapidly. With insufficient number of boat moorings, anchors and chains are used by the boats instead. It does not only cause damage to the reefs but also threatens the divers.
Over the last 4 years the number of large boat dive operators in Komodo has increased from 5 to up to 20 boats. The number of existing large boat moorings and small boat moorings is insufficient for the current and anticipated demand. The objective of this proposal is to identify up to 20 additional sites for large boat moorings (up to 300GT or 40m) and 10 sites for small boat moorings (5 GT or 10m).
The goal of the project is to protect the corals, divers and commercial users of this World Heritage site from damage or injured by anchors |
| Project
title: |
Continuation of Community
Based Marine Turtle Conservation Progress in Kosgoda & Continuation
of Tsunami Recovery Efforts in Rekawa and Kosgoda in
S. Sri Lanka |
| Principal Investigator: |
Mr. K.A.D.T.J. Kapurusinghe |
| Project period: |
2005 - 2006 |
| Project
title: |
Attending the 19th Annual
Meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr. Zhang Xianfeng |
| Project period: |
2005 |
| Project
title: |
Environmental Study of Burkholderia
pseudomallei |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr. Reimi Kinoshita |
| Project period: |
2001 |
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The objective of this study
is to assess the occurrence of the bacterium Burkholderia
pseudomallei, which causes the potentially fatal
disease Melioidosis, in the environment (soil) in Hong
Kong. The bacterium has been reported in Hong Kong in
both animals at Ocean Park and humans, and the focus
of this study is to determine whether the bacterium appears
to be widespread in the environment or if Ocean Park
is a particular reservoir for the organism. It also investigates
the presence of Burkholderia peudomallei on
a hill slope of Ocean Park's aviary under different climatic
conditions and soil depths. |
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