Countries facing fiercest climate impacts call on conscience of the wealthy world
Leaders of countries vulnerable to climate change have called for a redoubling of efforts to reach an ambitious outcome of the Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December and for world leaders to come to Copenhagen themselves.
Flying frog among hundreds of new species discovered in Eastern Himalayas
Over 350 new species including a miniature deer, a “flying frog” and a 100 million-year old gecko have been discovered in the Eastern Himalayas, a biological treasure trove now threatened by climate change.
New Species Discoveries - Eastern Himalayas
At least 353 new species have been discovered in the Eastern Himalayas between 1998 and 2008, equating to an average of 35 new species finds every year for the last 10 years. The discoveries include 242 plants, 16 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 14 fish, 2 birds and 2 mammals, and at least 61 new invertebrates.
Poaching gangs blamed for tiger density tumble in Nepal park
A Nepal wildlife reserve that boasted the highest density of tigers in the world is just half a decade later struggling to hold a few remaining tigers.
Indian rhinos on the move to a better future
After centuries of having their range contracted to the point of extinction, India’s rhinos are on the move outwards again. In a difficult operation, two male rhinos were taken back to a national park in Assam’s Himalayan foothills last weekend.
The return was an emotional moment for local residents, who lost their last rhinos a decade ago during a 20 year period of civil disturbance that wrecked infrastructure in the famed Manas National Park and allowed poachers free reign.
Norden Pines briquette plant opens in Bhutan
In a rural farming province of Bhutan, a programme is under way to provide an alternative source of energy and protect the environment.
South Asian nations pledge cooperation on rampant wildlife trade
Kathmandu, Nepal – All eight South Asian nations have agreed to step up cooperation in addressing wildlife trade problems in the area, home to such rare and prized species as tigers, snow leopards, and one-horned rhinoceroses and recognized as one of the prime targets of international organized wildlife crime networks.
Call for proposals: Small grants in Bhutan
The CEPF Small Grants Program, Bhutan Implementation Team, based in WWF Bhutan, Thimphu, invites proposals from Bhutanese civil society organizations such as non government organizations, community based organizations, academic organizations as well as individual researchers for biodiversity conservation.
Breeding tigers for trade soundly rejected at CITES
In a major victory for big cat conservation, raising captive tigers for trade in their parts was rejected by members of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Parties to the international wildlife convention also urged China to phase out its large-scale commercial tiger farms.
Factsheet: Tigers
The largest cat of all, the tiger is a powerful symbol among the different cultures that share its home. But this magnificent animal is being persecuted across its range. Tigers are poisoned, shot, trapped, and snared, largely as a result of conflicts with people and to meet the demands of a continuing illegal trade in tiger derivatives and parts. On top of this, both their habitat and natural prey continue to disappear.