Wildlife Conservation Society Releases List of Asian Species at the Conservation Crossroads

WCS warns that time is running out for Asia’s wildlife, this Chinese freshwater dolphin species called a baiji has already gone extinct © Stephen Leatherwood

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) today released a list of
Asian species that are at a conservation crossroads calling for
governments to take immediate action with The Three Rs Approach:
Recognition, Responsibility, Recovery.

The list includes: the tiger, orangutans, Mekong giant catfish,
Asian rhinos, Asian giant river turtles, and Asian vultures. The
announcement was made at the IUCN’s World Conservation Congress
convening in Jeju, South Korea through Sept. 13.

WCS says that each species can follow the path of the passenger
pigeon, which went extinct in the early 20th century, or the bison,
which was saved using the “three R’s” approach. In the case of the
bison, which was decimated by overhunting, its plight was
recognized, responsibility was taken, and recovery resulted with
more than 30,000 wild individuals in existence today. WCS was
directly involved in saving the bison by breeding animals in the
Bronx Zoo and working with partners to reintroduce them into
protected areas in the early 1900s.

“As in the United States, it will not be the species themselves
deciding which fork to take, but actions of humans using the three
R’s: recognition, responsibility and recovery recognizing the
problem, taking responsibility for solving it, and putting species
back on the path to recovery,” said WCS President and CEO Dr.
Cristian Samper.

Though each Asian species on the list faces daunting challenges
from a variety of factors including habitat loss, and illegal
hunting and trade, WCS believes that Asian governments have the
ability–and financial means–to turn the tide on extinction.

The tiger is an example of a species that could be going the way of
the bison, at least in some locations, according to WCS. India took
responsibility for the tiger when it announced Project Tiger in
1972. By doing so it sent a clear message that the fate of the wild
tiger was in its hands and India alone would be held accountable
for their future. This almost unprecedented commitment led to one
of the few examples of a major Asian species undertaking a
sustained recovery. Today, while problems and challenges remain,
India remains committed to ensuring that tigers are conserved
effectively within its boundaries. Similarly, in the Western Forest
Complex in Thailand, the Thai Government is taking responsibility
for protecting its tigers by taking bold steps to overcome the
poaching pressures.

Other species, such as the orangutan, face a bleaker future with
widespread conversion of its habitat into palm oil plantations that
have decimated wild populations. Asian rhinos and giant river
turtles face relentless poaching pressure for the illegal wildlife
trade, while Asian vultures have been nearly wiped out due to
poisoning. Mekong giant catfish numbers have plummeted due to
overfishing

WCS warns that time is running out for Asia’s wildlife, noting that
two large mammal species: the kouprey, a type of wild cattle once
found in Southeast Asia, and a Chinese freshwater dolphin species
called a baiji, have gone extinct.

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FURTHER INFORMATION

The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild places
worldwide. We do so through science, global conservation, education
and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife
parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo. Together these activities
change attitudes towards nature and help people imagine wildlife
and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this mission
because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth.

WCS Digital Community:

Web Sites:

www.wcs.org, www.bronxzoo.com, www.centralparkzoo.com,
www.queenszoo.com, www.prospectparkzoo.com,
www.nyaquarium.com

Facebook:

Wildlife Conservation Society http://www.facebook.com/TheWCS

Bronx Zoo www.facebook.com/bronxzoo

Central Park Zoo http://www.facebook.com/centralparkzoo

Queens Zoo http://www.facebook.com/queenszoo

Prospect Park Zoo http://www.facebook.com/prospectparkzoo

New York Aquarium http://www.facebook.com/nyaquarium

WCS Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/user/WCSMedia

Twitter:

@TheBronxZoo, @NewYorkAquarium, @TheWCS

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FACT SHEET:

Species at the Conservation Crossroads

Tiger: Only about 3,200 remaining, and of those, only about 1,000
breeding females. Occupy only 7 percent of their historic range,
and 70 percent of the remaining population is in 6 percent of the
current range. But we know what to do to save them. In areas with
good habitat, with tigers and prey protected effectively against
poachers, populations are recovering. Example: Nagarahole National
Park in India.

Asian Rhinos: Three species, all suffered from dramatic population
declines and range shrinkages.

–Greater one-horned rhino: well protected in some parts of India,
but 70 percent of population in one National Park (Kaziranga), and
remaining populations fragmented, some declining.

–Sumatran rhino: once widespread throughout Southeast Asia, now
only remaining in Sabah and few fragmented parts of Indonesia, with
a total of probably only about 250 animals remaining in the
wild.

–Javan rhino: again, once widespread across Southeast Asia, but by
2000, limited to two wild populations, one each in Vietnam and
Java. Last year, Vietnam population declared extinct. So now just
one population remaining, in Ujong Kulong, possibly numbering only
about 40 animals.

Orang-utans: Thousands of years ago, ranged from China through
Southeast Asia to Indonesia. Now just restricted to parts of
Sumatra and Borneo. Most populations of both species are located
outside protected areas, in forests that are exploited for timber
production or being converted to agriculture.

— Bornean orang-utan: 50 percent decline during the last 60 years,
as a result of habitat loss due to conversion of forest to
agriculture and fires. Between 45,000 and 69,000 individuals
remain. Habitat loss, poaching, and the pet-trade are major threats
across Borneo.

–Sumatran orang-utan: 80 percent decline over the last 75 years;
approximately 7,300 individuals remain. Most remaining populations
are in Aceh Province. Pressure on forests is increasing as a result
of the recent peace accord, and a dramatic increase in demand for
timber and other natural resources after the December, 2004
tsunami.

Mekong Giant Catfish: Endemic to the Mekong basin. Local fisheries
began to report the disappearance of this fish in the 1970s.
Current population size is unknown, but a decline of more than 80
percent since 1990 can be estimated from past annual catch records.
Fishing effort in the Mekong basin is increasing, and the loss of
migratory routes through the construction of dams may also have a
negative impact on fish abundance in the river.

Asian Vultures: Declined by more than 90 percent across the Indian
subcontinent. Direct killing account for 10 percent of recorded
vulture deaths, but the main cause of mortality has been
diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug used for veterinary reasons
in cattle that is toxic to vultures when the carcass is consumed.
Populations remain stable in Cambodia where the government has
placed restrictions on the use of diclofenac.

Critically Endangered Species:

— Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus)

— White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)

— Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)

Batagur Turtles: Group of turtles closest to extinction. Heavily
harvested and exploited for flesh and eggs. Five species are
critically endangered and one is endangered. So few individuals
remain in some cases that assurance colonies are the only hope for
species survival.

— Batagur baska: Northern River Terrapin– Previously highly
abundant in river deltas of India and Myanmar. Now, no known
nesting areas, and only a few individuals remain in the wild.
Concerted effort is needed to bring captive individuals together
for breeding groups.

— B. trivittata: Burmese Roofed Turtle– Considered extinct from
1930s to 2002 when remnant populations were discovered. Only 5-7
breeding adult females in the wild. Almost 400 hatchlings have been
transferred to headstarting facilities. Plans for release of 5-year
old headstarted males.

— B. affinis: Southern River Terrapin– Previously considered one
species with B. baska. Only isolated populations remain, but
poaching of turtles and eggs still occurs. Conservation projects
have only been able to secure hatchlings and adult mortality has
not yet been effectively addressed.

— B. kachuga: Red-crowned Roofed Turtle– Exists primarily along
the Chambal River in central India, with isolated populations in
Bangladesh. Approximately 500 adult females remain. Breeding
programs have produced over 4000 hatchlings.

–B. borneoensis: Painted Terrapin– Global status not fully
elucidated; most populations in serious decline. Suffered from
uncoordinated conservation efforts. 200 head-started individuals
have been released, but all rivers with viable populations have not
been identified.