Living Planet. You are saving some of the Earth s most important species WINTER MAGAZINE. WA landholders protecting bushland.

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1 Living Planet MAGAZINE WINTER 2012 exclusive magazine for wwf supporters / ISSUE 22 You are saving some of the Earth s most important species WORLD S LARGEST MARINE RESERVE NETWORK Australia leads the way. LIVING PLANET REPORT 2012 How you can keep this a living planet. THEIR NEEDS ARE LIKE YOURS Home, food and safety for our animals. PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE WA landholders protecting bushland.

2 Dermot O Gorman / WWF-Aus Securing the Coral Triangle Breaking news from Rio: $8 million in well-needed funding for the Coral Triangle announced by the Australian Goverment. So the big question is, how can we ensure that the Coral Triangle is protected while also providing food and livelihood security for millions of people? This is one of the reasons for the World Bank s recent announcement of a $1.5 billion Global Partnerships for Oceans - aimed at improving protection of marine and fishery resources and improving livelihoods. Jennie G goes home After a year of rehabilitation, Jennie G, a magnificent green turtle, was recently released back into her beloved Great Barrier Reef waters. Named after Cairns Turtle Hospital s Jennie Gilbert by the local Mandaburra people, Jennie G is testimony to what can be achieved by the right care in the right facilities. A year ago, she was close to starvation, too weak to swim. As a 50 to 80 year-old breeding female, she would be an enormous loss to the species. During her 12-month stay at the hospital, with a good diet, vitamins and fluid replacement, she put on 35kg in weight. As she entered her home waters recently, she took with her all of our hopes for the survival of these ancient mariners. Christian Miller / saveourseaturtles.com.au The Coral Triangle Ensuring that we manage our marine and fishery resources sustainably is critical to poverty reduction. By Dermot O Gorman CEO, WWF-Australia The pod of long-snouted spinner dolphins is suddenly all around us. They move like torpedoes through the water, surfing the bow wave of our WWF research vessel. They re so close to me that I can hear the whoosh of the blows as they take a breath. As quickly as they arrived they re gone, diving deep into the waters of the Sulu Sea in the Coral Triangle. The Coral Triangle is at the epicentre of coral reef biodiversity. It is a marine wonderland that borders Australia s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to our north, and includes the waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. This region is one of WWF- Australia s priorities because of the astonishing richness of life found here and because the currents these spinner dolphins are swimming in carry a huge variety of life between there and Australia. Other migratory species that use this blue highway are turtles, whales and tuna. We can only conserve these species, and the valuable fish stocks that underpin our own fishing industries, with successful conservation efforts in the Coral Triangle. But, while the currents flowing through the Sulu Sea connect us all, in the Philippines the local coastal communities that depend on these natural resources are poor. Average income for a Sulu Sea household is around 4,000 P per month, that s about $3AUD a day. These small island communities are completely dependent on their local natural resources and the environment for their food and livelihoods. In all of these efforts, Australia s playing an important role. Our universities and scientists have helped build capacity across the region in marine and fisheries conservation. The Australian government is investing millions of dollars in a partnership of the five countries in the region, the Asian Development Bank, other international organisations and WWF. For WWF, our mission to ensure a future for both nature and people is reflected in all that we do. Our work is critical to protect the Coral Triangle, an area that s so outstanding for its marine biodiversity. It s also vital to promoting sustainable solutions for local communities that depend on these natural resources for their livelihoods. Dermot O Gorman CEO, WWF-Australia YOUR GIFTS AT WORK: The Queensland floods and cyclone Yasi wiped out huge tracts of sea grass beds, bringing many turtles close to starvation. Thanks to you, WWF was able to help all three of Queensland s turtle hospitals to purchase urgently needed equipment including tanks and examination tables, and to provide essential treatment. For turtles, this has been a lifesaver! 2 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU Living Planet Magazine - WINTER

3 naturepl.com /Doug Perrine / WWF Thank you from all the creatures that call our oceans home For The detailed jewel in the maps crown showing of the Australia s new network planned is the marine Coral Sea reserves, Marine go Park to: that, together with the adjacent Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, will make up the world s largest marine protected area. Cat Holloway / WWF-Canon JÜrgen Freund / WWF-Canon Benefits of Marine Protected Areas maintaining biodiversity and providing refuges for species protecting important habitats from poor fishing practices and other harmful human activities and allowing damaged areas to recover providing areas where fish can spawn and grow to adults June s announcement of a proposed national system of marine parks potentially represents the world s biggest system of marine protected areas and would give Australia s ocean wildlife crucial protection from harm. This announcement represents a major advance in marine conservation in Australia and sets an important example to the world. Paul Gamblin. WWF-Australia Marine Protected Areas Manager. In light of UNESCO s scathing report on the threats to the Great Barrier Reef, and fragile coral atolls off WA being put at risk by new oil and gas proposals (see our story on page 15) this move has never been more important. All WWF supporters should welcome the new marine parks as they show the value of consistent, determined support for our most significant habitats. The marine parks include places like the reefs of the Coral Sea, parts of the Kimberley, the Diamantina fracture zone off the southwest (Australia s biggest undersea mountain range) and Houtman Canyon off WA, areas off Cape York near the Wellesley Islands and some of the seamounts off NSW. However, some of Australia s important ocean environments providing homes for whales, dolphins, turtles, dolphins, sharks and other wildlife have been excluded. While parks are protecting some areas, oil and gas rigs are still moving ever closer to places like the stunning Rowley Shoals and Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia. These are among the jewels in the crown for Australia s marine environment and surrounding waters have not been protected under this plan. Other important areas left out of the plan that need full protection include Limmen Bight in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Eastern Norfolk seamounts off the east coast, and many of the near-shore areas loved by Australians around the country. Marine sanctuaries provide areas where wildlife can feed and breed undisturbed, Mr Gamblin said. Maintain the pressure The government has responded to huge public support for greater protection of our marine environment from growing industrial pressures but this national network still needs to be further refined to effectively protect Australia s world-class marine life. The announcement lays a good foundation but all parties must now commit to building on this so we have an even better protected area system for Australia s marine wildlife. What s next? Find out more about the announcement that you ve helped to achieve. There s a summary on our website and you can download a map of Australia s new proposed network of marine protected areas. wwf.org.au/marineprotectedareas Next, with your help, we are aiming to see networks of marine parks established around the globe. Over the coming months, we ll keep you up to date on our work securing the future of our healthy oceans and how you can be involved. Don t miss out sign up to receive WWF s regular updates at: wwf.org.au/subscriptions building resilience to protect against damaging external impacts, such as climate change serving as benchmarks for undisturbed, natural ecosystems that can be used to measure the effects of human activities in other areas, and thereby help to improve resource management assisting in decisionmaking surrounding tourist, residential and industrial coastal developments 4 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU Living Planet Magazine - WINTER

4 naturepl.com /TONY HEALD Stop the trade save our species A rhino horn in the illegal trade is probably worth 100 times the average annual earning of a villager. Poaching exists because it is profitable! Extremely so. As a result, poaching is no longer man against beast. Today, poachers are sophisticated and well organised, criminal networks, using helicopters, night-vision equipment, tranquilisers and silencers. Poaching has now become the greatest current threat to tigers, rhinos, elephants, gorillas and other African and Asian species. commitments to establish a highlevel rhino task force of national and international experts; allocate sufficient resources to enforce protection of remaining rhino populations, and ensure that there is regular and intensive monitoring of all rhino populations in Indonesia. Two species extinct, two on the brink In the last decade, two rhino subspecies in Central Africa and Vietnam have gone extinct. Today, populations of two more subspecies, the northern white rhino and the mainland population of the Sumatran rhinoceros are perilously close to extinction because of poaching. During this International Year of the Rhino, WWF will be working hard to ensure that all rhino range states in Africa and Asia join Indonesia s resolve. New hope for African elephants In June, central African countries signed a groundbreaking regional plan to strengthen law enforcement and better combat poaching of elephants and other species at risk from illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife ministers have pledged to undertake unprecedented levels of cooperation with law enforcement agencies, such as the police, customs and the judiciary, to tackle the issue. The approved law enforcement action plan includes provisions to increase anti-poaching efforts in each of the countries and to enable joint-country patrols in some transborder areas. Ivory, often bound for Asia, is frequently smuggled across inland borders before reaching overseas exit points such as ports and airports. Under the plan, customs controls are also to be bolstered at these exit points. The signatory countries also plan to ramp up investigations and conduct more thorough prosecutions. Cases will also be monitored for corruption, and action taken against anyone attempting to impede justice. This outcome comes at the right time, as a coordinated response to the recent upsurge of large-scale poaching witnessed in Central Africa, where up to 12,000 elephants are killed each year for their ivory. The illegal wildlife trade, now amongst the most lucrative illicit international activities, is worth between US$5-20 billion per year. It is something we must absolutely put to an end. The belief that powdered rhino horn cures cancer is being blamed for an upsurge in rhino poaching with 448 of these magnificent animals killed last year in South Africa alone. It s a crime and it s driving species to extinction. Tigers and rhinos are particularly vulnerable, their body parts prized for traditional Asian medicine. For the last 50 years, with the backing of WWF supporters across the globe, we have fought to stop this slaughter by training patrols, campaigning for stronger action against the illegal wildlife trade, and helping local communities benefit from living alongside endangered species through wildlife tourism. One rhino every day! But, despite great progress being made, poaching is once more on the rise. In 2010 alone, on average, one rhino was killed every day by poachers in South Africa - threatening to drive this species to extinction. In Indonesia, increasing alarm for the fate of the two rarest rhinoceros species prompted the President to declare 5 June 2010 as the start of the International Year of the Rhino. This step has been made at the request of organisations like WWF, a further indicator of the power of the collective voice of our supporters. The government of Indonesia has also made Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon Right now, the illegal wildlife trade is on the rise worth as much as US$5-20 billion a year and responsible for the deaths of thousands upon thousands of wild animals every year. How you could help WWF and our partners stop the illegal wildlife trade STOP the poachers We re helping to increase antipoaching presence on the ground, including coordinated patrols for transborder areas. STOP traffickers on trade routes We re helping to increase controls at exit points such as airports/ports, helping officials to intercept criminals and their illegal cargoes. STOP demand on the streets We re running education and awareness campaigns to make people aware of wildlife crime and ensure it doesn t pay. STOP ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE 6 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU Living Planet Magazine - WINTER

5 Staffan Widstrand / WWF Living Planet Report 2012: We know the facts, now it s time for action Our Living Planet Report documents the changing state of biodiversity, ecosystems and humanity s demand on natural resources. It is primarily the result of putting two sets of data together for every region of the world. These are 1) information about resources being consumed, and 2) what s happening to populations of animal species. Simon de TREY-WHITE / WWF-UK Climate change is endangering the survival of countless species around the world; if we fail to deal with it now, no amount of other conservation work can hope to protect the places, species and communities that are at risk. Since habitat loss is the main cause of species decline and extinction, the two go together. The more land that s taken up by human activity, such as the spread of cities and growing food, the less land is available for wild nature. Of course it s all more complicated than that, but the overall picture is crystal clear: our own species is taking up more and more of the planet, and using up more and more of the resources, while many other species are in decline. Human demand is exceeding supply We are now using up the resources of the planet at one-and-a-half times the rate the planet can sustain. Or in other words, we re using up resources that rightly belong to our children and grandchildren and their descendents. An ever-growing demand for resources by a growing population is putting tremendous pressures on our planet s biodiversity and is threatening our future security, health and well-being. But, we do have a choice. We can create a prosperous future that provides food, water and energy for the nine or perhaps 10 billion people who will be sharing the planet in Nature determines our well-being As we run down the planet s resources, interfere with its life support systems, pollute its oceans, and drastically alter its climate, the Earth s capacity for supporting future economic activity steadily declines. We urgently need to find forms of economic development that can provide better lives for human beings without degrading the life of the planet. We can rise to the challenge We can create a prosperous future that the Earth can sustain. And, the The 5 greatest direct pressures The loss, alteration and fragmentation of habitats Mainly through poorly planned conversion of natural land for agricultural, industrial or urban use; damming river systems for irrigation or flow regulation. Overexploitation of wild species populations Harvesting of animals and plants for food, materials or medicine at a rate higher than they can reproduce WWF is not just about saving whales, tigers and rainforests, and preventing pollution and waste, but is inescapably concerned with the future conduct, welfare and happiness and indeed survival of mankind on this planet. starting point is to shift the wayin which we produce the energy that we need. To shift from fossil fuels - the energy technology of the 20th century - to renewable energy takes advantage of the abundant natural resources of wind and solar energy. Just that shift by itself will make a huge difference in our total footprint on the planet. Pollution Mainly from excessive pesticide use in agriculture and aquaculture, industrial and urban effluents, mining waste and excessive fertiliser use. Climate change Due to rising levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels, forest clearing and industrial processes. Invasive species Introduced deliberately or inadvertently to one part of the world from another, they then become competitors, predators or parasites of native species. Consume more wisely Individually, we can make choices that will improve the health of our planet. For example, by choosing sustainably sourced wood and seafood products (look for the MSC and FSC ticks of certification) we can show producers and retailers that we support responsibly sourced products. We can cut down energy consumption by switching off lights and unused appliances. Better yet, we can switch to Green power, or look at installing solar panels. We can all be part of the solution! Living Planet Report 2012 You can read the full report at wwf.org.au/ livingplanetreport 8 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU Living Planet Magazine - WINTER

6 Their needs are like yours - a home, food and safety HOME Bernard DE WETTER / WWF-Canon Staffan Widstrand / WWF FOOD He looks in vain at the melting ice; starvation is threatening his survival. Jon Aars / Norwegian Polar Institute / WWF-Canon Precious and rare, his bamboo forest home is being carved up for development. As a young mother, all she wants is the bulldozers and chainsaws to go away, and leave her forest home alone. naturepl.com /Anup Shah / WWF SAFETY Huge, fearless, yet vulnerable - he will never even see the poacher whose bullet will convert him into body parts. Small, soft, vulnerable - she may die defending her baby from foxes and feral cats. Phil Lewis & Mike Griffiths / WWF-Australia When you make a gift to WWF, you are saving some of the Earth s most magnificent animals by protecting their habitats, reducing threats like the illegal wildlife trade, and empowering local communities to save the animals that they share the land with. Please donate now: wwf.org.au/survivalappeal WWF, PO Box 528, Sydney, NSW DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU Living Planet Magazine - WINTER

7 Preserving amazing pockets of WA bushland PHIL LEWIS / WWF-AUS In protecting this 220 hectare wetland, Robert and Beth Boase have identified 213 plants (10 of these rare or endangered), 121 birds (six endangered or priority listed in WA), 21 reptiles, nine frogs, seven mammals, 116 invertebrates and six crustaceans. For many people in the cities, Western Australia s wheatbelt is just that - endless miles of wheat spread across the landscape denuded of bushland. But in the midst of the long stretches of crops there are some startling patches of remnant bushland, home to many rare plants and endangered species. There are also some real environmental heroes among the landholders of the region. WWF s project officers, Mike Griffiths and Phil Lewis, unite with Wheatbelt NRM and Greening Australia WA in the Healthy Bushland Project, and are discovering men and women who are expending a great deal of time, energy and private resources preserving our native plants and animals. And for no return other than the satisfaction of knowing they have preserved something wonderful for future generations! Preserving unique 220 hectare wetland Robert and Beth Boase are from a multi-generation farming family in the Dowerin Shire. Their sons now run the farm, while Robert and Beth give their time to a unique area of naturally saline wetland. In fact they bought the property specifically because of that 220 hectare wetland area. Over the years they have listed and catalogued many rare species of plants, animals and birds. And their knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area is now second to none. Amongst the rare plants, animals and birds that Robert and Beth have identified are: 213 plants (10 of these rare or endangered), 121 birds (six endangered or priority listed in WA), 21 reptiles, nine frogs, seven mammals, 116 invertebrates and six crustaceans. Drawing a line under habitat loss Through your support, Mike and Phil are able to engage with landholders such as the Boases, sharing expertise and information and passing information on to other similarly motivated landholders and farmers. The inspirational work of these landholders is what is drawing the line between conservation of what remains, and further loss of much of the region s natural heritage. It becomes a two-way street, says Mike. We learn as much as we can from the local landholders about all sorts of things and we offer whatever information and support we can. We are finding that some of the most endangered species and rarest of plants are not only being preserved, but are being given a second chance to thrive. Voluntary conservation covenants Many of the unique remnant bushland areas are now being covered by covenants entered into voluntarily by farmers aware of their uniqueness and value. The conditions of the conservation covenants are negotiated by the landholders themselves, it is not something forced upon them. Once the covenant is entered into the particular area of bush or wetland is then protected by state law, and is the best way to preserve our bush heritage. The land remains under the ownership of the farmer - it is theirs to manage and care for. But, it is also protected by legislation giving the farmer the backup and ensuring the area is preserved even if the property is sold at a later date. Retired farmer retains bushland Rex Kennedy is a retired farmer near Cunderdin in Western Australia. When he retired and sold his farm, he restructured the title of It is through the commitment of landholders like Robert and and Beth Boase, that some of the most endangered species and rarest of plants are not only being preserved, but are being given a second chance to thrive. the property just to allow him to continue caring for the bushland, its rare plants and animals and the fragile soils. And Rex may be the only landholder in WA with two covenants over one patch of bushland. People like these are true environmental heroes. It is their land, but they are preserving biodiversity and natural heritage for us all. Your support is helping our WA teams to work alongside these men and women, and to ensure that our environmental heritage is not lost but preserved. 12 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU Living Planet Magazine - WINTER

8 Bob Zuur / wwf-nz Protecting our frozen planet Will the Great Barrier Reef be declared in danger? JÜrgen Freund / WWF-Canon Returning to Antarctic waters on a recent voyage, WWF Marine Advocate Bob Zuur reflects on protecting this unique - and changing - wilderness. One hundred years ago Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole. Fifty years ago his son, Peter Scott, founded the World Wildlife Fund. More recently, legendary natural history program maker and WWF ambassador Sir David Attenborough brought remarkable footage of the white continent s wildlife to our television screens with Frozen Planet. Thanks to the generosity of WWF supporters worldwide over many years, WWF has worked for greater protection for Antarctica from our earliest days. So, when an opportunity arose to join the Our Far South voyage to Antarctica and New Zealand s subantarctic islands, I jumped at the chance. I sailed with nine other scientists and several communications experts, as Building a network of marine protected areas in the waters surrounding Antarctica is critical to the survival of Antarctic penguins (like these King penguins). well as everyday New Zealanders on the ice-strengthened Spirit of Enderby. We were all awed by the sheer beauty and wildness of this incredible part of our planet. There were many highlights, but the day we reached Scott Base was perhaps the most memorable. That same evening we sailed to Cape Royds, the site of 20th century Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton s Nimrod expedition hut. There was scarcely a breath of wind and the sinking sun cast a rosy hue across the landscape. A small group of emperor penguins looked up at amazement as the Spirit crunched through the ice just metres away. Crabeater seals slunk away as we approached. Minke whales fed on the rich bounty of the Ross Sea in gaps between the ice. Plumes of breath condensed in the freezing air as they dived. The sun dipped behind the Royal Society Ranges just after midnight the end of a magical day in one of the Earth s most wonderful places. But Antarctica is changing. The annual sea ice around the continent is diminishing. Longliners are taking toothfish in the Ross Sea and trawlers are catching krill in the Southern Ocean. Japanese whalers catch hundreds of whales each year. Populations of some species have crashed. Antarctica is important. Not just for the fantastic creatures we were privileged to meet, but also because Antarctica drives global climate and ocean circulation systems. The white continent and its surrounding seas are under threat. It s up to us to ensure their protection. ANTARCTIC OCEAN ALLIANCE PROTECTING THE WILD SOUTH In 2012 the fate of Antarctica s ocean, 10% of the world s seas, will be decided by 25 countries behind closed doors. You can let them know the world is watching: Join the Watch and help us create the largest network of no-take marine reserves in the world. wwf.org.au/jointhewatch You can help ensure that Antarctic ocean habitats and wildlife are protected forever from human interference. The United Nations environmental arm, UNESCO, has released a report on the Great Barrier Reef expressing extreme concern and seeking significant improvements to its management, without which it may be considered for listing as a World Heritage site in danger. A UNESCO mission visited Queensland in March and travelled the coastline inspecting the health of the Reef. WWF met with the UNESCO representatives early in their mission to outline our concerns and opportunities. In their report UNESCO has expressed extreme concern about the rapid increase in scale and pace of industrial developments along the Great Barrier Reef coastline. The report calls on Australia to not permit any new port development or associated infrastructure outside of the existing and longestablished major port areas. WWF has long argued against proposed major developments that will have irreversible impacts on some of the Reef s most threatened species, including dugongs, turtles and inshore dolphins. Call for Gladstone investigation UNESCO has also recommended an independent investigation into Gladstone Harbour where over 50 million tonnes of rock and soil are being dredged and dumped in and The loss of feeding grounds on the Great Barrier Reef over the past 12 months has likely led to the death of hundreds of turtles and dugongs. around the World Heritage Area to make way for a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNP) processing plant and facility. The mission makes it clear they never want to see such poor practices occur again anywhere else on the Reef coastline. UNESCO have given the governments eight months to lift their game before the Reef may be considered for listing as a World Heritage site in danger, recommending an immediate halt to any new industrial expansion. The report comes at a time when the Queensland and Federal governments have approved, or are in the process of approving, an array of industrial projects right along the Queensland coast. Goverments on notice WWF-Australia s Coral Triangle Program Manager Richard Leck said, The Queensland and Australian governments have a clear choice here - whether to restrict major development and invest in actions to boost the Reef s resilience to keep the World Heritage Area off the in danger list, or whether to further go down the fraught path of risking the Reef s health. It is critical that a strategic assessment is undertaken that sets the frame for any further development and demonstrates that governments are prepared to put certainty for marine wildlife and the World Heritage values of the Reef ahead of business interests. Business as usual is not an option! How your support is working to save the Reef! You are giving us the resources to pressure our political parties to meet their commitments to save the Great Barrier Reef by: improving water quality eliminating toxic pesticides protecting critical species like turtles, dugongs and inshore dolphins. 14 DONATE NOW AT WWF.ORG.AU Living Planet Magazine - WINTER

9 You are conserving some of the Earth s most exceptional places. WWF-Australia, PO Box 525, Sydney, NSW 2001 Cert o. nxxx-xxx-xxxx Cover photos: African forest elephants Martin Harvey / WWF-Canon Rio Negro Forest Reserve, Amazonus, Brazil Michel Roggo / WWF- Canon. All photos from the WWF-Canon photographic library have been kindly donated by photographers for WWF use, and cannot be reproduced or provided to external parties panda symbol and WWF is a Registered Trademark. Cert XXX-XXX-XXXX Forest Stewardship Council LIVING PLANET - WINTER wwf.org.au