Category: Uncategorized

Source: ISLT Website

Honoring a Conservation Hero

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Helen Freeman on September 20th after a long, courageous battle with lung disease. Helen was a remarkable woman, mother, wife, and friend. She was loved dearly and returned that love with all her heart. During her seventy five years she accomplished many things that have made the world a better place.

Born Helen Elaine Maniotas, daughter of Harry and Goldie Maniotas, on March 10, 1932, she grew up as the only child of Greek immigrants in Everett, Washington. Her parents owned and operated the London Café in Everett for over forty years and made her college education a priority. After graduating from Washington State University in 1954, she began dating Stanley Freeman. It was the simple boating trip turned shipwrecked adventure which convinced her to marry this future safety engineer. Thus began a 49 year marriage of enduring love and an endless series of safety debacles. Helen’s life of adventure would take her halfway around the world where she consorted with Maharajas in India, trekked the Himalayas in Nepal, sailed the Yangtze River to Chungking in China, and organized and participated in Snow Leopard Symposia in the Soviet Union, China and India.

Helen and Stan have two sons, Doug and Harry, who carry with them their mom’s love of animals (Doug is a veterinarian) and love of people (Harry is a developmental psychologist). Once Doug and Harry were old enough to go to school she began her career at the Woodland Park Zoo as a volunteer docent and returned to school at the University of Washington to complete a second degree in animal behavior. It was at this time she found the second love of her life, the snow leopard. She spent countless hours studying this elusive cat and ultimately became one of the world’s foremost experts on the behavior of the captive snow leopard. Meanwhile she took a job at the zoo and worked her way up to Curator of Education in the early 1980s. In 1981 she founded the International Snow Leopard Trust. Under her guidance the ISLT pioneered new approaches to snow leopard conservation and its habitat in Asia. Traveling and working in Asia, many times as a lone woman, she earned the respect of local government officials and conservationists across Asia, Europe and the United States. She pioneered innovative conservation practices that placed local peoples at the center of the movement. Helen inspired so many people to help her cause that the Snow Leopard Trust continues to grow stronger and accomplish goals Helen envisioned almost thirty years ago.

During her illustrious career she received many awards and acknowledgments of her achievements. These include the Alumni Achievement Award from Washington State University in 1990, Acknowledgment of Appreciation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1997, the prestigious Evergreen Award in 1998 “In Recognition of Worldwide Partnerships in Wildlife Conservation and Understanding”, and also a medal of honor from the Woodland Park Zoological Society for conservation and education.

Helen was a force of love and indefatigable determination. She lived with a chronic and degenerative lung condition for thirty years. During this time she founded an international conservation movement, published a collection of memoirs, read veraciously and always, till her last breath, challenged us to be true to ourselves. All this and she knew how to laugh at life and find the absurd in her daily struggles. For instance, she might reply, after briefly recovering from a particularly lengthy bought of coughing, “Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play.” She thrived on discussion and would probe, question, and challenge us to look deeper into what is essential and meaningful in our lives and follow our hearts. Some might say that in the end she lost her battle with her illness, but they would be mistaken. She managed her disease, not the other way around. It did not diminish her but strengthened her resolve and, as with business and family, she negotiated and compromised, but in the end, it was her call.

Helen is survived by her husband Stanley, their son Doug and his wife Julie, and their children Madison and Mallory; their son Harry and his wife Grace, and their three children, Elena, Harrison, and Willa. Although her lung condition did not slow her enthusiasm and involvement in her grandchildren’s lives, they did slow her scooter with various grandkids hanging off the handlebars as she motored along forest trails. Now we will carry Helen with us along our own trails and look to her for guidance along the way.

August 1, 2007- Pakistan’s Federal Minister for the Environment Faisal Saleh Hayat, after spending much of last week in the US capital and taking care to stay away from the Pakistani press based here, has surfaced in the Bronx zoo, where, according to an official press release, he met Leo the snow leopard.

While nothing is known about Leo’s reaction, the minister is said to have been “delighted”. Leo was gifted to the Bronx zoo last year. He has not been short of distinguished visitors from the home country, having been visited by Begum Pervez Musharraf a month after his arrival and the minister of state for the environment, Malik Amin Aslam, not much later.

Leo, who was found in the care of a shepherd in the Northern Areas’ Natar Valley, was flown to New York in August 2006 under an agreement signed between the Northern Areas administration and the Wildlife Conservation Society of USA. He may be returned to Pakistan a few years from now, hopefully with a she snow leopard.

Source: The Daily Times

In the remote Ladakh region of India, the “Himalayan Homestays” program offers an alternate source of income to residents whose livestock is sometimes threatened by snow leopard predation. Himalayan Homestays give tourists the opportunity to experience firsthand the traditional lifestyle of the villagers in Ladakh, while the income they generate relieves the financial stress of livestock loss and therefore decreases the incentive for villagers to kill snow leopards.

The Mountain Institute and Snow Leopard Conservancy, both organizational members of the Snow Leopard Network, implemented this program to great success five years ago. Since then, it has become the local model for eco-tourism. In addition to providing a bed and meals, guides are available to lead hikes and point out snow leopard signs.

For more information, see Eco-tourists take to village life in India’s ‘Little Tibet’ or check out the Himalayan Homestays web site.

From the TRAFFIC Newsroom:

27 June 2006, Beijing, China…Illegal trade of wildlife species and products continues to flourish despite legislative deterrents and concerted efforts to address this trade that in terms of both size and profit are considered to be huge. To address growing concerns of illegal trans-boundary wildlife trade in Asia, TRAFFIC, WWF-UK and the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office brought together key government delegates from China, India and Nepal to work together and seek ways to increase their collaborative efforts in order to combat the illegal trade occurring in the key wildlife trade hotspot of China borders. China, India and Nepal are all Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and all three have legal and institutional instruments in place to address wildlife trade issues. However, illegal wildlife trade has become more organized, demand has increased for wildlife and their products and smugglers have more sophisticated systems for transporting consignments. In order to combat this worrying trend driven by increased, international demand, it is now urgent for all three countries to step up efforts such as enforcement at cross-national borders, regional level advocacy, policy analysis as well as collaboration with non-conventional stakeholders such as transport companies. During the one-day workshop last week, delegates from India, Nepal and China each gave an overview of wildlife trade related issues in their countries. In addition, NGOs working in China – including TRAFFIC, CI, IFAW and WCS – discussed their wildlife trade programmes in China. TRAFFIC introduced the Asian big cats initiative in the region with focus on strengthening enforcement capacity and trans-boundary collaborations. Continuing trade in Asian big cats and their parts, particularly trade in Tiger and Tiger parts, was noted being of a particular concern, feeding into the markets of traditional Chinese medicine and skin trade. Examples of other species of concern from the region noted included rhinos, elephants, and Tibetan Antelope. “There is a lot of work that needs doing in order to curb down the illegal trade, increase trans-boundary co-operation, improve the law enforcement efforts and establish active networks for communication and information sharing,” said Dr Craig Kirkpatrick, Director of TRAFFIC in East Asia. “However, to hear so many diverse views on wildlife trade shared openly in a multi-lateral forum is an extremely positive step to right direction and demonstrates political will and collaborative approach shared by all three key countries. China, India and Nepal are now in a position to urgently and effectively address the growing concern of illegal wildlife trade, which continues to filter through this key wildlife trade hotspot of Asia” For further information: Caroline Liou, TRAFFIC East Asia – China Programme. Tel: +86 10-6522-7100 ext. 3239, +86 1370-120-4254 email: caroline@wwfchina.org Maija Sirola, TRAFFIC International (UK). TEl. +44 (0)1223 277427 email: maija.sirola@trafficint.org Notes: 1The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), was established in 1973 to regulate the international trade in wildlife. This treaty uses a system of permits to control trade in some 30 000 wild species internationally, to prohibit commercial trade in the rarest and regulate trade in others, to ensure that the trade is sustainable and does not lead to the species becoming threatened. See www.cites.org 2TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC is a joint programme of WWF and IUCN-the World Conservation Union. See www.traffic.org

The Seattle Times examines the illegal (yet still widely accepted) selling of snow leopard skins in the markets of Kabul, Afghanistan. Although the practice is on the decline, Western aid workers and military personnel remain the primary consumers of these immoral and illegal products. SLN member Ghulam Malikyar of Save the Environment Afghanistan is especially applauded for his conservation efforts. The International Snow Leopard Trust’s Brad Rutherford (also an SLN member) brings attention to the plight of local people and their lack of livelihood options, reminding readers that efforts from ISLT and similar organizations are essential in preventing local people from poaching snow leopards, either to protect their flocks or to make money on the black market.

For the full story, see http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003530006_snowleopards18m0.html

Many species of Kashmiri animals have greatly benefited from the paramilitary activity that has been taking place in the region since the late 1980’s, with populations rising 20-60 per cent.

There are two reasons for this increase in population. Firstly, local residents were required to turn in their arms when conflict broke out, leaving potential poachers weaponless and thus unable to illegally hunt. Secondly, very few people now venture into the forest for fear of encountering conflicting insurgents. As a result of this, local wildlife populations have been relatively isolated from human interference.

Snow leopard and leopard populations have increased in this region, in addition to bears, two species of deer and many birds.

For more information, see the BBC article at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6169969.stm.

 

The first official Red List of threatened species in Mongolia was presented at a Zoological Society of London lecture on Tuesday, 12 December. The list includes snow leopards as well bears, marmots, many wild ungulates, and even fish.

Populations of Mongolia’s threatened species have been declining since the breakup of the Soviet Union due to decreased law enforcement mechanisms and widespread financial hardship. Mining and logging also have a significant impact.

However, there is hope for the recovery of Mongolia’s wildlife. The Zoological Society of London meeting produced action plans for the conservation of all the species. Similar policies have been successful before, as in the case of the 250 member Przewakski’s horse population, which is thriving after being classified as extinct in 1996 and subsequently reintroduced into the wild.

For more information, see Unprecedented Loss of Mongolia’s Mammals on the Zoological Society of London web site.

November 2006- Snow Leopard Trust scientists are currently conducting a radio collaring study of Snow Leopards in the Chitral Gol National Park area in Pakistan.  Five radio collars will be placed on snow leopards over the next couple months, enabling their exact positions and patterns of movement to be monitored. This project is being carried out by Dr. Tom McCarthy, Executive Director of the Snow Leopard Network, Dr. Javed Khan, SLN member, and Dr. Jaffar, who is also a member of the SLN. This project is taking place in cooperation with several other conservation organizations including WWF Pakistan and Pakistan‘s Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) Wildlife Department.

This study is instrument in answering lingering questions about snow leopards’ habits and identifying new methods of easing the financial burden on local people whose livestock are at risk from snow leopard predation.

For more information, see the WWF Pakistan web site at http://www.wwfpak.org/16-11-06snowleopard_radio.php

 

This story was published in the Hanford Courant and called to our attention by

Professor Richard Benfield:

October 2006- Afghanistan has already seen some of its cultural treasures, such as the

Buddhas of Bamiyan, destroyed by the Taliban. And it has watched as

ancient artifacts have been looted from the country since the U.S.

invasion in 2001.

Now, it's in danger of seeing an endangered species -- the snow leopard

-- hunted into extinction.

High in the Pamir Mountains in northeastern Afghanistan, men like

Attaullah hunt down the animal. He'll not only sell off its valuable

pelt but also the cat's paws, bones and internal organs, which are

highly prized for use in traditional Chinese medicines.

While no one is exactly sure how many of the creatures remain in the

wild, organizations such as the Snow Leopard Conservancy estimate that

between 4,500 and 7,500 remain in 12 countries in Central Asia,

including Afghanistan.

Some of the cats are thought to have been killed by U.S. bombs during

the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. But it's hunters like Ataullah, who

like many Afghans uses only one name, who are the cat's main threat

today.

“Going after a snow leopard is the ultimate for any hunter,'' said

Ataullah, 44. “Sometimes we won't find one for three months. It depends

on the luck of the individual.''

A ban on hunting the animal imposed by President Hamed Karzai appears to

have had little effect so far.

“If the hunting of certain rare animals like the snow leopard ...

continues, they will rapidly be wiped out,'' warned Dost Mohammad Amin,

the deputy head of the Afghan Environment Protection Department.

It's easy to understand why hunters like Ataullah go after their prey.

He said he expects to get $100 for the cat's body parts and an

additional $900 for its pelt. For that kind of money, hunters are

prepared to invest time, money and effort in securing a kill.

“Sometimes we'll wait a month to go after a good specimen, because

valuable animals are scarce and it's very hard to hunt them,'' Attaullah

said. “We start out in July when the roads become clear of snow. We

have special hunting rifles that we've bought in Pakistan and we wait

for the animal we want.''

Attaullah contends that the amount of money he can earn with just one

catch makes it worth the wait. “I caught a snow leopard in the Pamirs

this summer and I'll earn $1,000,'' he said. “I'd never make that

amount by doing anything else.''

When not stalking snow leopards, Attaullah said he goes after Marco Polo

sheep, another endangered species, to put food on his table.

During the 1970s, Marco Polo sheep -- the largest in the world -- were a

favorite trophy of hunters who traveled from all around the world to bag

the animal and display its massive horns on their walls at home.

Today, Attaullah said the sheep will provide his family with several

delicious meals and $200 in cash for its hide.

Attaulah scoffs at the notion of a ban on hunting endangered species.

“This hunting has been going on for thousands of years. If the

population of these animals were in decline, there wouldn't be any

left,'' he insisted. ``It is just an excuse by powerful men who want to

stop us hunting so that they can keep the (game animals) for

themselves.''

Because both species live in largely unpopulated areas, far beyond the

reach of either the central or regional governments, there's not much

officials have been able to do so far to halt the poaching.

There is some hope, however, of protecting the endangered species. Amin

of the environmental ministry said that Afghanistan, Tajikistan and

China met over the summer to discuss the creation of a multinational

game reserve, called the Pamir International Peace Park, to help save

vulnerable species.

“A conference in Dushanbe held in mid-July decided that all mountain

regions where rare animals live in these three countries will be

declared a Peace Park, and no one will be allowed to enter it,'' Amin

said.

Attaullah doesn't think much of the plan.

“These animals are wild and free,'' he said. ``One day they're in one

place; the next day they're somewhere else. If they feel confined,

they'll become depressed and may leave the area altogether, or they may

pine and die, which is much worse than being hunted.''

October 2006- The Tibet Express, the railway that connects China and Tibet, is fostering illegal commerce and promoting the extinction of endangered species through providing smugglers with faster and safer access to rich clients in Beijing who are interested in buying poached animal products. The railroad was constructed for the purpose of making the transport of goods easier and thus creating closer economic links between China and Tibet; unfortunately, this benefit also applies to gray market activity.  

Smugglers are now able to transport poached snow leopard and tiger pelts from the mountains of Nepal to wealthy buyers on the streets of Beijing in a much more efficient manner. In an investigation conducted by the Sunday Telegraph in China, it was found that poachers can fill orders for tiger skins in only ten days. Before the advent of the railroad, the journey was much longer and more dangerous and therefore deterred smuggling. Authorities often turn a blind eye to these activities, making laws against smuggling largely ineffective.

To read more, see Tibet Express Puts Leopards on Fast Track to Extinction on the Carnivore Conservation Portal.