BONE-DRY JULY IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN CANADA

July 2012 has set records in Canada this year.  In the nation's capital, there are climate records that go all the way back to 1889.  There has never been a July as hot and dry as this one.  Extreme heat and dry conditions in parts of Central and Eastern Canada have led to a surge in forest fires, limitations on water use, and concerns that crops could be ruined. 

Just like dogs, wild birds will open their bills and pant to help dissipate heat on a hot day.  

MACOUN MARSH UPDATE- OTTAWA, CANADA

Here are some images taken at the marsh over the last few days:

Baby garter snake found today

 

Black blister beetles on Canada Goldenrod

 

A Chipping sparrow chick hopping under my feet!

 

Viceroy butterfly

Baby Virginia Rail looking for food.

The Beauty of Bats!

Recently, one Ottawa newspaper presented a very negative view on bats and how they transmit disease.  The article was an ignorant commentary on an ecologically important animal.  They presented the upsurge in bat-related calls as people in our city are being “terrorized” by bats in their bedrooms.  Not surprisingly the reporter had interviewed a company that specialized in pest removal.  Unfortunately this article was the core headline on the front page of that day’s newspaper!

How do we educate people on bats and other not so cute animals?  It has been said that once you understand why bats look so odd, then these strange animals become quite beautiful.  They are the only mammals that can sustain flight.  They use echolocation, the use of echoes to locate and identify objects around them. They can eat large amounts of insects, even fish, and in some cases they pollinate fruit trees.  They are an important link in many ecosystems.

Locally we have started to research the hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus).  This solitary bat normally roosts on trees, hidden among foliage.  Occasionally, it has been seen in caves with other bats. It prefers coniferous woodland but hunts over open areas or ponds. It hunts alone and its main food source is moths.

In our region some bats appear to be going extinct.  White nose syndrome is a condition associated with the deaths of more than a million bats in eastern North America.  This disease affects the bats ability to hibernate properly.  Mortality rates of 90–100% have been observed in some caves.  There are very few Canadian bat researchers and it is unlikely that bats will be protected any time soon because of their habit of hiding in people’s attics.   Our local newspaper forgot to mention that some of our bat species are disappearing at an alarming rate. 

So take the time to learn a bit more about bats.  Check out Bat Conservation International at http://www.batcon.org/.  You just might discover that, like humans, bats are complex, captivating creatures deserving of some respect!  .

Mike Leveille
Biodiversitymatters

Letters to President Zuma

Rhino poaching is nothing new, but what is new is the increased demand for rhino horns and the desperately low numbers of remaining rhinos left in the wild. When Olivia and Carter started One More Generation, it was so they could raise awareness to the issue of so many species being added to the endangered list. It seems like everytime you turn around, there is a new, even longer list of species in jeopardy of becoming extinct. OMG has teamed up with the folks at SPOTS (Strategic Protection of Threatened Species) in South Africa in an effort to help raise awareness to the dire issue of Rhino Poaching.

Unless we can motivate South African President Zuma to take stark actions to immediately curb poaching in South Africa, Rhino’s will go extinct in our lifetime. We are asking students (and adults) to help us show President Zuma how urgent it is for him to get involved. We can make a difference for these animals by writing a letter to President Zuma asking him to do something now. Our goal is to collect 1,000 letters and or drawings addressed to President Zuma. We plan on having the letters personally delivered to President Zuma to show him and his staff how much we in America (and all over the world) care for these animals.
 
You may email the letters directly to us at the email address below: One More Generation P.O. Box 143627 Fayetteville, GA 30214 info@onemoregeneration.org Here are the letters we have received so far. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE: http://onemoregeneration.org/2012/07/20/dear-president-zuma/

CBD COP11

The CBD Secretariat has released an information note with a lot of very useful information on CBD COP11. 

You can download the pdf file here: http://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/cop/cop-11/other/cop-11-info-note-en.pdf

Among others the file includes information on the venue, transportation in Hyderabad during the conference, accommodation and especially the visa application process as well registration for the conference.

WEAKER INDIAN MONSOON IS INFLUENCING THE SHRINKING OF GLACIERS- CHINA

Changes in climate regimes, primarily weaker Indian monsoon and strong westerly are responsible for rapid retreat of glaciers on Tibetan plateau (eastern and central Himalayas) and gaining of glaciers (mass balance) on Karakoram and the Pamir plateaus respectively. The study based on the 30 years of satellite and field measurements of glaciers on the Third Pole analyzed the lengths and surface areas of about 7,100 glaciers and studied changes in mass balance of 15 glaciers. It has debunked the earlier study which said that Tibetan glaciers are growing.
15 July
http://www.nature.com/news/tibetan-glaciers-shrinking-rapidly-1.11010

ANNUAL DELUGE IS VITAL FOR THE ECOLOGY OF KAZIRANGA- INDIA

Flood in Brahmaputra River helps to maintain the ecological process of Kaziranga National Park says the District Forest Officer. From washing away Mimosa, the invasive herb that prevents the growth of tall grass (fodder to herbivores) to silt deposition in the park, annual floods is keeping check on the ecosystem of the park. Usually floods in the park recedes in 3-4 days and flood waters do not stagnate in the park as there is no embankment.
18 July
http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/detailsnew.asp?id=jul1812/state05

HYDRO PROJECTS ARE TURNING INTO MINEFIELD FOR AQUATIC BIODIVERSITY- INDIA

As the constructions of small and medium Hydro projects are underway in Himachal Pradesh, it is putting aquatic life in peril. An environmentalist studying the impact of hydel projects has singled out several environmental catastrophe including drying up of traditional water sources, decimated vegetation along river side, new breed of plants replacing old varieties and dying of fish species. It also includes increase in water temperature and decrease in humidity of the surroundings. Over 500 hydel projects have been allotted to government and private sector in the state and half of them have already received No Objection Certificate from the Fisheries department.
17 July
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-17/flora-fauna/32713685_1_hydel-projects-kullu-underground-water

POACHERS ARRESTED, RHINO POACHING ATTEMPT FOILED- INDIA

Park authority at Kaziranga National Park arrested two poachers near Laharoni forest camp and confiscated a rifle. Poachers are believed to have lost their way while wondering in the park.
16 July

THOUSANDS DISPLACED BY LANDSLIDES AND FLOODS- NEPAL

Swollen river have inundated more than 2000 houses in three VDCs of Dang District, west Nepal. Similarly, increasing water level in Saptakoshi River has swept away 12 houses in Gobargada VDC in Saptari District, east Nepal. Meanwhile, rainfall triggered landslides have displaced several houses in various VDCs of Ilam, Dhankuta and Myagdi districts. Whereas, water level in Koshi River has reached this year´s high of 194,375 cusec.
15, 17, 18, 20, 21 July
The Himalayan Times, Republica

COURT ORDERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST BUREAUCRATS IF INVOLVED IN DEFORESTATION- NEPAL

After the increasing cases of involvement of forest officers in illegal logging from community forests, the Administrative Court has ordered the government to take action against those office bearers. Of late, massive deforestation has been reported from Dadeldhura, Kailali, Banke, Bardiya, Sarlahi, Sindhuli, Terhathum, Nawalparasi and Panchthar districts.
15 July
The Himalayan Times

Revised- CLIMATE-FRIENDLY SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION GOES MAINSTREAM!

But apparent Tesco slowdown is cause for concern in new report

LONDON: Climate-friendly technology has gone mainstream in the UK and other parts of Europe, the latest Chilling Facts report reveals.

Since its launch in 2008 by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), the report has sought to encourage the retail sector to move away from refrigeration systems based on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful global warming gases hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

HFC emissions from commercial refrigeration in Europe equate to about 20 million tonnes of CO₂ per year – that’s about one-third of Sweden’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

From just 14 stores in the UK using climate-friendly refrigeration systems in 2008,Chilling Facts IV reports that 344 stores have now made the transition, with thousands of engineers trained to service them – in the process debunking efficiency myths as retailers report significant reductions in energy use compared to conventional HFC systems.

Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have been lauded for their rapid roll-out of climate-friendly refrigeration, with Waitrose now running a quarter of its estate on HFC-free systems. Discounters Aldi and Lidl have made good progress in rolling out HFC-free freezers but have yet to do the same for chilled food.

However, the report’s authors express concern over Tesco’s apparent slowdown; the retail giant set the standard in 2009 by announcing plans for 150 HFC-free stores by 2012 but has so far managed just 60 – particularly disappointing given that Sainsbury’s has passed the 100 HFC-free stores mark.

Further afield, Tesco has made some progress in going HFC-free outside the UK, with 35 HFC-free stores in Hungary. However, in an apparent U-turn on its 2009 stated plans to go HFC-free in new stores across the UK and Central Europe, it has recently built 60 new stores in Poland which run on an HFC refrigerant blend with a high global warming potential.

“As the biggest retailer in the UK, we’re concerned that Tesco is not on track to meet its target. Tesco should be aiming to roll-out HFC-free refrigeration in all new stores in Europe”, said EIA Senior Campaigner Fionnuala Walravens.

This year,Chilling Facts has expanded its scope to include European retailers. The timing is significant as the European Union is currently reviewing its policy on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and is considering phasing out HFCs, a move certain to change the face of the global commercial refrigeration.

Chilling Facts IV finds that European retailers are ready for change, with many voluntarily committing to HFC phase-outs. In addition, feedback from continental Europe indicates UK retailers are falling behind the times with their negative approach to including doors on chilled food cabinets.

However, responses in Europe show a wide regional variation in prioritising climate-friendly cooling, with more progressive retailers based in Northern Europe; Southern and Eastern European retailers have done very little to phase out HFCs. As the report highlights, what is needed now is legislation to level the playing field and encourage reluctant retailers to take responsibility for their climate impacts.

“We’ve been impressed by the level of commitment to climate-friendly refrigeration shown by retailers across Europe,” said EIA Global Environment Campaigner Natasha Hurley. “Supermarkets have come a long way in the past four years and there is clearly an understanding within the industry that HFCs need to be phased out. At a time when retailers are going to considerable lengths to reduce their carbon footprints, running cooling systems on highly potent greenhouse gases simply makes no sense.”

Interviews are available on request: please contact EIA Senior Campaigner Fionnuala Walravensfionnualawalravens@eia-international.org or telephone 020 7354 7960.

2012 marks the start of The International Year of the Rhino

In the last decade, two rhino subspecies, the Western Black Rhinoceros in Cameroon and the Indochinese Javan Rhinoceros in Vietnam have gone extinct.  Today, the populations of two more subspecies, the Northern White Rhinoceros and the Sumatran Rhinoceros are perilously close to extinction.  Increase in illegal hunting and non-traditional use of rhino horn are the causes. 

Check out http://www.iucn.org/media/media_advisories/?10063/2012-marks-the-start-of-The-International-Year-of-the-Rhino 

Images by Michael Leveille of a White Rhinoceros (Above) and Indian Rhinoceros (Below)

Record 97 percent of Greenland's ice sheet experienced melting in July

97 percent of Greenland's ice sheet experienced some degree of melting this July, a record extent of melt, says NASA.  Check out  http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0724-record-melting-greenland.html

EVENT: AUGUST 14, 2012- LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR INVASIVE SPECIES ROAD RALLY- Halton, Ontario, Canada

The main threats to Biodiversity include Invasive Alien Species. Want to help stop the loss of BioDiversity by learning to identify and report invasive species? Want to help the native biodiversity of Ontario thrive in its natural environment? Then here is an event for you!


Halton Peel BioDiversity Network (HPBDN) and P.O.W.E.R, with the generous support of the Invading Species Awareness Program (ISAP) are partnering to host the first Invasive Species Road Rally training.


Purpose of a road rally is to record where invasive species are occurring and then sharing the information, through the ISAP, with the municipality where the invasion is occurring.


HPBDN will also maintain a copy of the information with the gaol of mapping invasive species In Halton Peel. With this information we can monitor, track and map invasive species in Halton Peel Region with the goal of taking actions to stop their spread.


We are looking for people in Halton peel who are interested in learning the ins and outs of the road rallies and who will help in future road rally events.


Training will be during the morning, and lunch will be provided for participants.
Please send a message to info@powerhalton.ca or call (905) 873-1820 to register. Maximum number of participants is 20

The Volvo Adventure

The Volvo Adventure - in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme - is an educational programme that rewards environmental activities and the decision-makers of the future.


To enter, you form a team of 2 to 5 members aged 13 to 16 (at competition opening - July 1st 2012). Perform an environmental project in your local community & submit the project via our online submission tool before the competition deadline, January 31st 2013.


Projects are judged and the best projects are selected for an all expenses paid trip to Göteborg, Sweden where they can win: 1st place = 10,000 USD, 2nd = 6,000 USD and 3rd = 4,000 USD.

CLIMATE-FRIENDLY SUPERMARKET REFRIGERATION GOES MAINSTREAM!

But apparent Tesco slowdown is cause for concern in new report

LONDON: Climate-friendly technology has gone mainstream in the UK and other parts of Europe, the latest Chilling Facts report reveals.

Since its launch in 2008 by the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), the report has sought to encourage the retail sector to move away from refrigeration systems based on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), powerful global warming gases hundreds to thousands of times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

HFC emissions from commercial refrigeration in Europe equate to about 20 million tonnes of CO₂ per year – that’s about one-third of Sweden’s annual greenhouse gas emissions.

From just 14 stores in the UK using climate-friendly refrigeration systems in 2008,Chilling Facts IV reports that 344 stores have now made the transition, with thousands of engineers trained to service them – in the process debunking efficiency myths as retailers report significant reductions in energy use compared to conventional HFC systems.

Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose have been lauded for their rapid roll-out of climate-friendly refrigeration, with Waitrose now running a quarter of its estate on HFC-free systems. Discounters Aldi and Lidl have made good progress in rolling out HFC-free freezers but have yet to do the same for chilled food.

However, the report’s authors express concern over Tesco’s apparent slowdown; the retail giant set the standard in 2009 by announcing plans for 150 HFC-free stores by 2012 but has so far managed just 60 – particularly disappointing given that Sainsbury’s has passed the 100 HFC-free stores mark.

Further afield, Tesco has made some progress in going HFC-free outside the UK, with 35 HFC-free stores in Hungary. However, in an apparent U-turn on its 2009 strategy to go HFC-free in new stores across the UK and Central Europe, it has recently built 60 new stores in Poland which run on an HFC refrigerant blend with a high global warming potential.

“As the biggest retailer in the UK, we’re concerned that Tesco is failing to meet its environmental commitments, especially as its competitors aren’t faltering in this way. Tesco needs to speed up its roll-out of HFC-free refrigeration and make good on its promise to go HFC-free”, said EIA Senior Campaigner Fionnuala Walravens.

This year,Chilling Facts has expanded its scope to include European retailers. The timing is significant as the European Union is currently reviewing its policy on fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and is considering phasing out HFCs, a move certain to change the face of the global commercial refrigeration.

Chilling Facts IV finds that European retailers are ready for change, with many voluntarily committing to HFC phase-outs. In addition, feedback from continental Europe indicates UK retailers are falling behind the times with their negative approach to including doors on chilled food cabinets.

However, responses in Europe show a wide regional variation in prioritising climate-friendly cooling, with more progressive retailers based in Northern Europe; Southern and Eastern European retailers have done very little to phase out HFCs. As the report highlights, what is needed now is legislation to level the playing field and encourage reluctant retailers to take responsibility for their climate impacts.

“We’ve been impressed by the level of commitment to climate-friendly refrigeration shown by retailers across Europe,” said EIA Global Environment Campaigner Natasha Hurley. “Supermarkets have come a long way in the past four years and there is clearly an understanding within the industry that HFCs need to be phased out. At a time when retailers are going to considerable lengths to reduce their carbon footprints, running cooling systems on highly potent greenhouse gases simply makes no sense.”

FIVE WONDERFULLY WEIRD ANIMALS

Strange as it sounds, the Hippopotamus is actually related to cetaceans from which they diverged about 55 million years ago. 

From the very huge to the very small... The waterbear is only about 1 mm long.  These animals live on lichens or mosses.  They can live in diverse environments such as extreme temperatures, lack of water, and the vacuum of outer space.  Check out http://www.space.com/5817-creature-survives-naked-space.html

This red-winged blackbird chick had just fledged the nest when this image was taken.  This chick is not the cutest of animals. 

This Cecropia is North America's largest native moth.  They are in the family of giant silk moths. 

The Emperor Tamarin is from the Amazon River region.  It is named after the Emperor of Germany because of its long mustache. 

Images by Michael Leveille 2012

6 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND EXTINCTION

Image by Mike Leveille

The beauty and genus of a work of art may be reconceived, though its first material expression be destroyed; a vanished harmony may yet again inspire the composer; but when the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and another earth must pass before such a one can be again. – William Beebe

There are many misconceptions about biological diversity and modern extinctions so we will explore some of these ideas here:

Misconception #1 – Species have always gone extinct so we do not need to worry about a few animals or plants disappearing.  It is true that extinction is a natural process but it is the rate of extinctions that is of major concern.  According to the UN Environment Programme, the Earth is in the midst of a mass extinction of life. Scientists estimate that 150-200 species of plant, insect, bird and mammal become extinct every 24 hours. This is nearly 1,000 times the "natural" or "background" rate.     

Misconception #2 – Losing a species does not affect humans.  Do you remember the game Ker-Plunk?  The game consists of a clear plastic tube, 30 thin sticks, and 32 marbles.  The idea is to pull out as many sticks as you can without letting any marbles fall to the bottom.   Well, imagine we are one of the marbles.  How many species are holding us up?  Plants and phytoplankton produce our breathable air.  Our food and medicine come from the rich biological resources of the Earth.  Decomposers like bacteria and fungi help to produce soil so we can grow our food.  Worms and arthropods process this soil.  Bees, wasps, birds, and bats pollinate plants.  Some types of phytoplankton are responsible for a chemical substance called DMS that forms clouds over our oceans.  This affects our weather and global climate. 

Misconception #3 – Environmental news is all bad news!  Absolutely not!  Global networks of youth from the Ottawa-based Biodiversitymatters.org and the GYBN are actively involved with the Convention on Biological Diversity.  In 2010, world organizations and governments met in Nagoya, Japan to discuss solutions to the biodiversity crisis.  Youth presented an Accord on Biodiversity to present their ideas and fears.  There is another gathering of the COP-MOP in Hyderabad, India this October.   It is important to stress that many species have been brought back from near extinction by dedicated biologists and committed individuals.  Some successes include the Bison, the Chatham Island Black Robin, the Mauritius Kestrel, the Pink Pigeon, and the Echo Parakeet to name a few.  

Misconception #4 – Evolution will replace any missing species.  Evolution will replace species, but it takes a very long time.  It has been suggested that it could take 30 million years for nature to heal itself from the effects of humans on our biological heritage.  A species can take hundreds of thousands of years to branch off from its parent group to form a new species. 

Misconception #5 – All species have been discovered.  Not even close!  The total global estimate of species range from 100 million to as low as 5 million with new species discovered every year.  About 1.3 species have been cataloged in a central database to date.  Each year, researchers report more than 15,000 new species.  Not all of these life forms are small.  In 2011, a new cetacean (called the Burrunan dolphin) was discovered in Australian waters.  If you think that new species are only discovered in remote areas, consider the new species of frog announced in 2012 living within New York City! 

Misconception #6 – There is nothing I can do to protect the Earth’s biodiversity.  Habitat loss is the number one cause of extinction.  The very best way to protect our biological heritage is to adopt green spaces in your community.  A wonderful example of this is the Macoun Marsh Biodiversity Project in Ottawa’s Beechwood Cemetery, Canada’s National Cemetery.  Teachers and students from St-Laurent Academy Elementary and Junior High have become stewards of this space and have recorded almost 1400 species in this urban ecosystem.  This initiative has grown into a Biodiversity Alliance of local schools with a three-part Mentorship Program for students.     

Michael Leveille (St-Laurent Academy Elementary and Junior High Teacher)

We Canada Champion Geoff Green

Regardez notre Champion Geoff Green à Radio-Canada, 18 juillet!

Check out our Champion Geoff Green on Radio-Canada, July 18!

http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/les_visionnaires/2011-2012/

CALLING ‘TIME’ ON TIGER FARMS AND SKIN SALES

China & others urged to take action to help wild Asian big cats

LONDON: Countries with operations farming tigers and other Asian big cats must shut down such facilities and destroy stockpiled body parts and derivatives.

And China – which has the world’s greatest number of tiger farms – must terminate its ‘legal’ domestic trade in tiger and leopard skins as an indication of genuine commitment to ending the tiger trade and reducing demand.

The London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) is submitting both calls to the62nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in Geneva, Switzerland from July 23-27.

Under CITES regulations, operations to breed tigers and other Asian big cats are restricted to the purposes of conservation; CITES specifically states ‘tigers should not be bred for trade in their parts and derivatives’.

However, some tiger farms in China are understood to be stockpiling skins and bones, fuelling speculation that some of these ‘products’ may be leaking onto the market and that they are being held in anticipation of a ‘legalised’ trade.

As well as in China, there are tiger farms in Thailand, Vietnam and Laos; traders and operations in these countries have been caught engaged in international illegal trade within SouthEast Asia.

In addition, EIA is asking CITES to urge China to comply with the letter and spirit of earlier resolutions by withdrawing its controversial scheme allowing trade in the licenced skins of captive-bred tigers and leopards.

“China has very publically committed to international efforts to double the world’s wild tiger population by 2022, with Premier Wen Jiabao promising the 2010 International Tiger Forum in Russia that his country would ‘vigorously combat poaching, trade and smuggling of tiger products’,” said EIA Head of Tiger Campaign Debbie Banks.

“But these words can only ever be toothless platitudes so long as China officially sanctions the trade in skins of captive-bred animals. It’s a policy that completely undermines commitments to demand reduction.”

EIA is also calling CITES to remind parties of their obligations to formally report on all Asian big cats, not just tigers, and to set a new deadline for all range and consumer Parties of Asian big cats to provide the information required for INTERPOL to conduct a full analysis of trade.

MACOUN MARSH UPDATES- CANADA

Here are some recent images from today:

A very rare image of a Virginia Rail chick walking across to a patch of cattails.  They are usually very shy!

An Eastern Tailed-Blue butterfly

A Painted Lady Butterfly

Summer sunset at the Macoun Marsh

PRO-IVORY TRADE REPORT SHOWS ‘SHOCKING’ BIAS

Proposed sales mechanism would treat ivory like diamonds

LONDON: A new report examining possible mechanisms for future international legal trade in ivory has proposed the creation of an ivory sales body modelled on the De Beers diamond cartel.

The report,Decision-Making Mechanisms and Necessary Conditions for a Future Trade in African Elephant Ivory,is to be discussed at the 62nd meeting of the Standing Committee of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), in Geneva, Switzerland from July 23-27.

But the London-based Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) today accuses the authors of failing to fully comply with the terms of reference and of effectively loading the dice to produce a report clearly biased in favour of creating a global trade in ivory – despite 2011 being branded the worst year for elephants since the current ivory trade ban was put in place in 1989.

EIA has been investigating the illicit ivory trade for more than 20 years, and believes any ‘legal’ trade in ivory sends mixed messages which confuse consumers and provides an opportunity to launder black market ivory onto the market.

There is no evidence to indicate, as advocates of trade predicted, that supplies of ivory derived from ‘legal’ sales of stockpiles in 1999 and 2008 have either satiated demand or reduced prices to the point where poached ivory has become financially untenable. In fact, the opposite has happened, with demand stimulated and poaching out of control.

“EIA remains deeply concerned that any more ‘legal’ sales – or discussion of ‘legal’ sales – of ivory will further stimulate the ivory market, supporting the perception that international trade has resumed and increasing demand for illegal ivory,” said EIA Executive Director Mary Rice.

“In addition, the availability of ivory from both legal and illegal sources further challenges law enforcement agencies in their efforts to tackle the criminal networks behind the trade.In light of mass poaching of African elephants, the increase in illegal trade in ivory and the fact that the legal sales have clearly failed to reduce illegal trade, EIA urges the Standing Committee to shelve any further discussion on a future international trade in ivory.”

EIA strongly recommends that the Standing Committee rejects the recommendations of the report for failing to address the core issues identified in the terms of reference and the fundamental reasons for the failure of the current legal ivory trade system. Instead, the committee must call for a review of the enforcement gaps and needs that have led to the failure of the current ivorytrade control and regulation system.

“The consultants behind this report are seeking to put in place a mechanism for decision-making without providing or discussing vital information such as the ecological sustainability of an international ivory trade, the impact of such a trade on illegal killing, enforcement challenges and linkages between legal and illegal trade,” said Rice.

During the 1980s when legal trade in ivory was allowed, the African elephant population declined from 1.3 million to 600,000 in a decade.

”Parties to CITES must recognise that in the current climate of poor enforcement, lack of resources, failure of political will and corruption, there is no likelihood that any form of regulated trade could be workable and this document certainly should not provide the basis for any further discussion on this issue,” added Rice.

Exhibition space for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties (COP MOP-6) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Reference is made to notification 2012-091 of 11 June 2012 regarding the exhibition space for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties (COP MOP-6) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

I am pleased to inform you that the deadline for applications to book exhibition space has been extended to 17 August 2012. Applications should be submitted to MCI Management (COP-11 Exhibition Promotion Committee), at the following address:

MCI Management (COP-11 Exhibition Promotion committee)

Email: exhibition.cop11@mci-group.com

Tel. +91-124-4974160

Fax. +91-124-4108917

Further information regarding the Interactive Fair for Biodiversity, which will take place in the Hyderabad International Trade Exhibition Centre (HITEX) adjacent to the Hyderabad International Conference Centre, is available at:http://www.cbdcop11india.in/exhibition.html.

The text of this notification is also available on the CBD website at:http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/ntf-2012-107-cop11mop6-exhibition-en.pdf

GYBN Meeting and Basis structural paper

We had a meeting last Saturday 14th of July from 3-5pm GMT. Four people attended the meeting and this enable us to discuss on how to better move forward in developing our GYBN Basis structural paper, which will guide the network in processes and procedures, and also how to develop our position paper for COP11. Unfortunately we still have less participation. Therefore we will appreciate if each of us could dedicate some time to the GYBN preparations before we all meet on-site and online in August for the meeting.

You can access the minutes at this link: https://gybn-kick-off.piratenpad.de/8?

Biodiversity Youth Mentorship Training Course- Ottawa, Canada

Module 1: The Tree of Life (2 hours) September 22, 2012- 10:00 to noon at St-Laurent Academy (641 Sladen Ave., Ottawa, Ontario)

Module 2: Our Human Need for Biodiversity (2 hours) Saturday, October 13, 2012- 10:00 to noon at St-Laurent Academy (641 Sladen Ave., Ottawa, Ontario)

Module 3: Political Action (2 hours) Saturday, November 10, 2012- 10:00 to noon at St-Laurent Academy (641 Sladen Ave., Ottawa, Ontario)

For more information please contact Mike at lmleveille@rogers.com

10 RECENTLY EXTINCT ANIMALS

10- THYLACINE- TASMANIA/ AUSTRALIA

Public Image

Commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger, the Thylacine was the largest known carnivorous marsupial of modern times. Virtually wiped out in the wild due to constant hunting (they were thought to be a threat to sheep and other small farm animals).  No recent sightings have been confirmed.


9- PASSENGER PIGEON- NORTH AMERICA

Image by Mike Leveille at the Canadian Museum of Nature- Ottawa

The story of the Passenger Pigeon is one of the most tragic extinction stories in modern times. As recently as around 200 years ago they were actually the most common bird in North America, and some reports counted single flocks numbering in the billions.  Hunting on a massive scale completely destroyed them.  Extinct in 1914.

8- GUAM FLYCATCHER

Public Image

Although common on Guam as recently as the early 1970s, the Flycatcher population declined due tothe introduction of the brown tree snake.  The last sighting was in 1983. 

7- GREAT AUK- NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

Image drawn by Mike Leveille

This large flightless bird was overhunted.  Extinct between 1844 and 1852. 

6- QUAGGA- SOUTH AFRICA

Extinct subspecies of the plains zebra.  Last seen in 1870.

5- RED-BELLIED GRACILE OPOSSUM- ARGENTINA

The forest habitat it required was destroyed. Last seen in 1962.

4- GOLDEN TOAD- COSTA RICA

Image by Mike Leveille at the Royal Ontario Museum- Toronto

Loss of habitat and the chyterid fungus caused their extinction.  Last seen in May 1989.

3- YANGTZE RIVER DOLPHIN- CHINA

GNU Free Documentation License

Their population declined drastically due to fishing, transportation, and hydroelectricity.  Last individual died in 2002.

2- WESTERN BLACK RHINOCEROS- CONGO 

Public Image

This rhino was once widespread in central-west Africa.  Due to poaching it was declared extict in 2011. 

1- PINTA ISLAND TORTOISE- GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Image by Eric Gauthier 2011

This species was over hunted and introduced goats destroyed their habitat.  Extinct on June 24, 2012.

A hybrid individual was found outside Pinta Island on Wolf Volcano on Isabela Island.  

Macoun Marsh Update- Canada

Here are some images from today:

Black swallowtail

Painting our outdoor classroom

Blue-spotted salamander (Rare when the climate is dry)  It has been very dry.

A  glimpse of a Virginia rail family darting between the cattails. The chicks are fuzzy and black. 

Twelve-spotted skimmer

THE WORLD'S RAREST SNAKE

Conservationists have found the world’s rarest known snake in the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia. A five-month assessment of the Saint Lucia racer, a small non-venomous snake, has revealed that as few as 18 individuals remain. The racer was once common across Saint Lucia, but rapidly declined after predatory mongooses were introduced to Saint Lucia from India in the late 19th century. The last Saint Lucia racers now survive only on a single offshore islet just 12 hectares (30 acres) in size, which has remained mongoose-free.

The Saint Lucia racer, one of four endemic snakes of Saint Lucia, was declared extinct in 1936. However, in 1973, a single individual was caught on Maria Islands Nature Reserve. Since then, sightings have been rare, leading to fears that these harmless snakes may have been lost forever. Towards the end of 2011, a team of Saint Lucian and international conservationists was assembled to find out whether the racers still survived and, with funding from the Balcombe Trust, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, began painstaking searches of the rocky, steep-sided islet. Eleven racers were caught, tagged with microchips and released unharmed. Analysis of data from recaptures indicate a total population of only 18 individuals. Another, less conservative method placed the population at nearer 100. The Saint Lucia racer is therefore deemed to be the rarest known snake in the world and indeed one of the rarest animals of any kind. At only 12 hectares, its distribution range is also one of the smallest of any snake.

To read more see: http://www.durrell.org/Latest/News/The-Saint-Lucia-racer-takes-the-title-of-Worlds-rarest-snake-/

Image from the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust