We would like to say a huge thank you to the following organisations for their ongoing and very generous support in 2010 and 2011:

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2 Marwell Wildlife Acknowledgements We would like to say a huge thank you to the following organisations for their ongoing and very generous support in 2010 and 2011: Dublin Zoo, the Direction Générales des Forêts (Ministère de l Agriculture et des Ressources Hydrauliques, Tunisie), and the Sahara Conservation Fund Cover photo: A scimitar-horned oryx being released from its crate in Dghoumes NP in 2007; Photograph by Tim Woodfine, Marwell Wildlife Citation: Gilbert, T., Petretto, M. and Woodfine, T. (2012) Wildlife conservation in Tunisia: from scimitar-horned oryx reintroduction to ecosystem preservation. Report & funding proposal for supporters and scimitar-horned oryx EEP members. Marwell Wildlife, U.K. 2

3 Introduction 2011 was a year of incredible changes in Tunisia for both the country and Marwell Wildlife s conservation projects. The country has stabilised again after a period of political and civil turmoil, and we have made some significant advances in our wildlife conservation work in the country. We are now in a much stronger position to advance existing projects and initiate new ones. This report and funding proposal summarises our activities in 2011 and 2012 in Tunisia, and provides details of ongoing and proposed projects. Figure 2. Bou Hedma NP, Tunisia Tunisia Tunisia has a diversity of habitats and wildlife which are the focus of intensive and sustained conservation action. A network of national parks (NP) and reserves covers almost 582,000ha (45% of the total forest area), including part of the former range of Sahelo-Saharan antelope and gazelle. Tunisia has developed a national strategy for the restoration of aridland antelope and gazelle as part of its commitment to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Action Plan for the Conservation and Restoration of Sahelo-Saharan Antelopes (Beudels-Jamar et al., 2006; DGF, 2001; Woodfine & Engel 2004). Figure 3. Dorcas gazelle in Bou Hedma NP Despite concerted conservation efforts, the Tunisian environment is under continued threat from pollution, urbanisation and desertification (McGuinness, 2002), and some of the remaining mammal species are threatened with over-exploitation. With the constant pressure exerted by such threats, it is important that conservation efforts for species like the scimitar-horned oryx Oryx dammah, as well as other aridland wildlife and habitats, continue. Figure 1. Djebil NP, Tunisia Figure 4. Addax in Djebil NP 3

4 Scimitar-horned oryx Historically, scimitar-horned oryx occurred across Tunisia s southern steppes, but disappeared by 1910 due to over-hunting. However, during the last 27 years, the species has been returned to four Tunisian protected areas. In 1985, an initial release of ten (5.5 ) oryx from the UK took place in the Bou Hedma National Park. In 1999, ten oryx from across Europe (1.9 ) were released into Sidi Toui National Park, while three (1.2 ) were released in the Oued Dekouk National Reserve and a single male added to the population in Bou Hedma. American (SSP) breeding programmes for release into Dghoumes National Park. We have been involved in all these projects and have donated animals, carried out releases, quarantines, post-release monitoring, training of local rangers, biodiversity surveys, assisted with management plans, and have provided equipment, advice and support to the Tunisian authorities. The overall aim is to re-establish this flagship species back in its former habitat. Figure 7. Reintroduced scimitar-horned oryx in Dghoumes NP Figure 5. Scimitar-horned oryx in Bou Hedma NP Today, there are approximately 190 oryx in Tunisian protected areas. Their reintroduction has catalysed broader ecosystem recovery, with visible improvements in vegetation cover and an increase in mammal, reptile and bird diversity. Consequently, our conservation projects have both a species-specific and a wider biodiversity focus. Figure 6. Scimitar-horned oryx in Oued Dekouk Nature Reserve Finally, in 2007 a total of 16 oryx (7.9 ) were translocated from Bou Hedma or imported from European (EEP) and North Figure 8. Reintroduced scimitar-horned oryx in Dghoumes NP 4

5 Restoration of scimitar-horned oryx and their arid steppe ecosystem in Dghoumes National Park Dghoumes National Park protects a small (8,000 ha), but remarkably diverse remnant of sub-desertic continental steppe near the oasis town of Tozeur in southern Tunisia. Created in 1995, the park supports a wealth of fauna and flora including more than 20 species of mammals and 50 species of resident and migratory birds reflecting its location at the convergence of mountain, steppe and halophytic (salt pan) habitats. Natural springs arising in the mountains to the North mean that water is available throughout the year, while run-off of rainfall from the higher ground has created a series of ephemeral water courses across the plain. The topography together with millennia of wind and water erosion has created a geologically varied and stunning landscape. reintroduction of 16 animals in More recently, North African (red-necked) ostrich imported from Morocco successfully bred in an acclimatisation enclosure. The birds will be released into the park in Figure 10. A view from the mountains in Dghoumes NP Initial results of conservation activities have been more than encouraging; populations of reintroduced species are growing, vegetation is recovering and more diverse compared to areas outside the park, and initial surveys of reptiles suggest that protection of the park has yielded benefits for this group. However, maintaining the integrity of the habitat in balance with viable populations of key species such as oryx, gazelle and ostrich will depend on active monitoring and management. The future of larger bodied species that will be limited in number by the capacity of the park is ultimately reliant on their inclusion within national or wider meta-populations. Figure 9. Dghoumes NP, Tunisia Since the creation of Dghoumes National Park in 1995, there have been ongoing efforts to restore vegetation and reintroduce species that became locally or globally extinct. A small group of a dozen dorcas gazelles released in 2002 has now grown to a population of more than a hundred animals, while over 70 scimitarhorned oryx inhabit the park following Figure 11. Dghoumes NP 5

6 Section A: Summary of activities in 2011 & 2012 Increasing capacity in Tunisia In 2011, we increased our capacity for managing conservation projects in Tunisia by employing a full time conservation biologist, Dr. Marie Petretto. Marie is based in Tunis, but spends part of her time in the national parks, in particular Dghoumes NP. We also contracted a Tunisian field assistant, Mr. Abdelkader Chetoui, based near Dghoumes NP. Abdelkader is the former park conservator, and has over 16-years experience of working in Dghoumes NP. He supervises daily operations in Dghoumes NP, manages the animals, and trains local rangers in monitoring and management methods. Marie and Abdelkader are supported internationally by a team providing specialist technical support with experience of operating in Tunisian protected areas. worked with us on scimitar-horned oryx reintroductions and post-release monitoring since Ernesto and Gian- Lorenzo both contribute to field work, data analysis, training, capacity building, and scientific communications. Establishing local networks In 2011, Marwell Wildlife signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tunisian Direction Générale des Forêts (DGF) to support species and habitat restoration as a natural extension of previous collaborative work. The MoU includes specific activities (detailed below) and sets out the basis for managing the ongoing partnership. Monitoring & management of scimitarhorned oryx & other key species Biodiversity assessment & habitat restoration Public engagement & community participation Capacity building We also signed a working agreement with the Veterinary Research Institute of Tunis (IRVT) for laboratory work and in-country capacity building. Additional professional relationships have been developed with several institutions including: Figure 12. Dghoumes NP rangers and Dr. Tim Woodfine, Marwell Wildlife Director of Conservation (front left), Mr Abdelkader Chetoui (front second left), Dr. Marie Petretto (front second right), Dr. Gian- Lorenzo d Alterio (standing centre), and Dr. Ernesto Filippi (leaning in on the right) In addition to Marie and Abdelkader, we work closely with Dr. Ernesto Filippi, a herpetologist, who conducts reptile and amphibian surveys as part of our ongoing biodiversity assessments, and Dr. Gian- Lorenzo d Alterio, a veterinarian, who has Direction Générale des Services Vétérinaires (DGSV) Centre National de Veille Zoosanitaire (CNVZ) Pasteur Institute of Tunis (PIT) National Veterinary School of Sidi Thabet (ENMV); Bank of Genes Mediterranean Fauna & Flora Club (local NGO) Tunisian Wildlife Conservation Society (TWiCS) 6

7 Raising public awareness Our conservation work has received media coverage in Tunisia (national TV, radio, newspapers, social network sites) in the last year, thereby helping to raise public awareness of conservation issues and action. The Mediterranean Fauna and Flora Club, with Abdelkader s assistance, brought forty veterinary students to Dghoumes NP. We are continuing to work with them to increase public engagement in wildlife in Tunisia. Figure 14. The ecomuseum in Dghoumes NP In conjunction with the DGF, we prepared an interpretation strategy that incorporates public engagement, awareness raising, and environmental education. The strategy covers ecological themes, design concepts, interpretation materials, and includes plans for a permanent exhibition that will be regularly updated in the main hall of the ecomuseum, in addition to temporary exhibition space. Figure 13. Marie Petretto being interviewed about Marwell Wildlife s activities in Tunisia for the national TV news Conservation education: Dghoumes NP ecomuseum interpretation strategy The oryx reintroduction in 2007 to Dghoumes NP has catalysed ecosystem recovery resulting in improvements in vegetation cover and vertebrate diversity. Consequently, Dghoumes NP is among Tunisia s leading sites for aridland biodiversity conservation, and is a fantastic example of conservation action. The proximity of the park to the regional capital of Tozeur means that it is accessible for public engagement in wildlife conservation. The newly completed ecomuseum in the park (Figure 14) provides the ideal focus for education, training and ecotourism activities which can raise awareness of the value and complexities of semi-arid environments. Scimitar-horned oryx post-release monitoring Herds monitoring The scimitar-horned oryx herds were monitored on a daily basis by the park rangers, and births, deaths, health, habitat use and population dynamics data were recorded. This was supplemented with additional bi-annual ecological monitoring, and bi-monthly intensive population monitoring by conservation biologists. Additionally, Abdelkader visited the park twice a week to supervise the daily monitoring regime of the rangers. The survey and monitoring strategy provided information on social interactions, population and animal health, ecology, and behaviour. 7

8 Population management Figure 15. Health monitoring Distance observation of the scimitarhorned oryx herds in Dghoumes NP The health and condition of the oryx were monitored remotely using body condition scoring and non-invasive analysis of parasite burdens. Individual oryx were also selected for intensive health checks which include blood haematology, biochemistry, hormone, parasitology, and virology analyses. Blood and tissue samples were also collected for bio-banking and genetic analysis. Oryx were checked for external parasites, as well as from domestic animals living close to the park boundaries, and the ground in the ungulates resting areas. Results so far reveal that the oryx are healthy. The process of carrying out detailed health checks has helped refine capture methods and veterinary monitoring in the national parks. The last reintroduction took place in 2007 when eight scimitar-horned oryx were translocated from Bou Hedma NP to Dghoumes NP, and a further nine oryx from the EEP and SSP populations joined them. The population has a high birth rate and low death rate, and has now grown to 75 individuals. Simulations predict that the population may reach the lower estimate of the park s carrying capacity ( individuals) by 2015 if current trends continue (Figure 17). The current project in Dghoumes NP aims to monitor and manage this reintroduced oryx population to ensure it remains within the ecological and social carrying capacity of the park. The results of this monitoring will help inform future population management of the oryx in the park. Figure 17. Simulations of the scimitar-horned oryx population in Dghoumes NP. The small red arrow indicates the current population. The large red arrow indicates the lowest estimated carrying capacity. The grey area indicates the expected population fluctuation as the population approaches the maximum estimate of carrying capacity Figure 16. Adult male scimitar-horned oryx anaesthetised in Dghoumes NP in October

9 Biodiversity surveys The methods used for biodiversity monitoring included direct vegetation transect surveys (we used the same methods that we developed for arid and semi-arid vegetation monitoring in Kenya); spoor and camera traps to quantify mammal diversity, habitat use, and potential resource overlap; and direct counts. Figure 18. A fox in Dghoumes NP Bi-annual biodiversity surveys encompassing vegetation, mammal, reptile, amphibian, and ecological resource surveys were conducted in April and September in 2011 and 2012, covering multiple sites inside and outside Dghoumes NP. The purpose of these surveys was to evaluate the impact of the oryx reintroduction project on biodiversity within the park. These surveys were timed to coincide with the end of the cool season and the end of the hot season in Tunisia to provide a balanced overview of biodiversity within the park over the year. The vegetation surveys provided further evaluation of the impact of grazing on the vegetation by wild ungulates, and monitored the fluctuating environmental carrying capacity. Monitoring of ecological resources such as water and shade were performed regularly by the park rangers under Abdelkader s supervision. Figure 20. Recording animal tracks in Dghoumes NP Figure 21. A dorcas gazelle photographed at night in Dghoumes NP using a camera trap Figure 19. Vegetation surveys in Dghoumes NP Figure 22. A solitary male oryx returning from the mountains in Dghoumes NP 9

10 Red-necked ostrich breeding program First hatching Tunisian programme for the conservation of endangered species, and is supported by Marwell Wildlife. Since their arrival in the park, the ostrich have been held in a 6ha pre-release enclosure while they acclimatise to their new environment. The ostrich started breeding in early 2011, and six chicks have been raised to adulthood. Figure 23. Male Red-necked ostrich Struthio camelus camelus, a female, and some of their chicks in a 6ha enclosure in Dghoumes NP (April 2011) Twenty red-necked ostriches Struthio camelus camelus, also known as North African ostriches, were obtained from Morocco s Agadir region in July 2008, and reintroduced to three Tunisian national parks: 12 went to Orbata Reserve (Gafsa governorate), 4 (1.3 ) went to Dghoumes (Tozeur) and 4 went to Djebil (Kébili). The red-necked ostrich is one of the four surviving sub-species of ostrich, and is extinct in the wild in Tunisia. It is listed in Cites Appendix I due to its precarious position across the rest of its historical range. Figure 24. Ostrich chicks in the 6ha enclosure at Dghoumes NP The reintroduction of the red-necked ostrich to Dghoumes NP is part of the Figure 25. Maturing ostrich chicks in the 6ha enclosure in Dghoumes NP Figure 26. Ostrich in Dghoumes NP in October 2012 Genetic augmentation The four founders at Dghoumes NP originate from the same location in Morocco, and the group would benefit from an increase in genetic diversity. The National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) in Saudi Arabia has offered to donate unrelated red-necked ostrich chicks to Tunisia for their reintroduction projects. Whilst the ostriches at the NWRC are thought to be the red-necked subspecies, this is being tested by the Smithsonian s Center for Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics in Washington DC, USA. The chicks will be transported to Tunisia to increase the number of founders if the genetic analysis confirms that the ostrich are indeed Struthio camelus camelus. 10

11 Local capacity building: the first Wildlife and Conservation Medicine Workshop This project aims to create an annual workshop for professionals with an interest in the conservation of Tunisia s emblematic species, and to develop the skills of new veterinary graduates in conservation medicine. It will help to build a comprehensive network of Tunisian professionals to share experience and expertise, and enhance the practicality of species reintroductions and conservation projects. The workshop was a success with 85 participants including final-year veterinary students and professionals from eight of the main Tunisian wildlife and veterinary organisations. As a result, a National Wildlife Health Watch has been established. Figure 27. Participants at the wildlife and conservation medicine workshop Figure 28. The logo for the wildlife and conservation medicine workshop Organisation of the first Wildlife and Conservation Medicine Workshop began at the end of 2011 in conjunction with Marwell Wildlife, the Direction Générale des Forêts, the National Veterinary School of Sidi Thabet (ENMV), and the Humane Society International, UK. The workshop was held on the 2 nd and 3 rd of February 2012 and primarily targeted state veterinarians (DGSV) and the veterinary school board of education, although future workshops will be open to a wider range of professionals and students. The workshop updated veterinarians knowledge on wildlife medicine and the complex relationships between animals, humans, and ecosystems. It improved the national health surveillance network and introduced a proposed veterinary internship programme to both veterinary students and the state veterinarians. 11

12 SECTION B: Proposed activities for 2013/2014 The programme in Dghoumes National Park is now established, but there is a need to evaluate the long term benefits and constraints of relatively small but biologically diverse semi-arid protected areas, for which Dghoumes serves as a model, and to develop practicable approaches to species and habitat management that can be readily replicated in similar sites in Tunisia and elsewhere in North Africa. This programme of work will also create opportunities to develop local participation, and the skills and expertise needed to ensure continuity of wildlife monitoring and management into the future. Monitoring & management of scimitarhorned oryx and the wider environment Following the reintroduction of the scimitar-horned oryx this project seeks to; 1. establish a standardised monitoring system for the species and key indicators of habitat condition that can be replicated in similar situations elsewhere in Tunisia and North Africa; and 2. deliver an oryx population management plan for Dghoumes National Park which can also act as a foundation for the development of a national metapopulation strategy. The programme of work comprises: a) Oryx population, social structure and ecology Routine field observations of scimitarhorned oryx, noting their locations, activities, social groups, diet selection, water use and life history events (births, deaths). This will help determine population changes (rate of population growth, demographics) and seasonal resource use. The information will be used to update population growth models to estimate carrying capacity, and contribute to the development of the oryx management plan. Figure 29. Reintroduced oryx herd at Dghoumes NP b) Animal health Oryx body condition scores recorded routinely, together with faecal parasite screening and opportunistic blood & tissue sampling. Carcasses of any dead oryx will be collected for post-mortem examination. This will yield important information about animal health status and parameters, and provide an early-warning system for disease outbreaks. Local state vets will be trained to supervise and/or complete those procedures. c) Vegetation status Surveys carried out seasonally within and outside the park to determine vegetation cover, botanical diversity and grazing impact. The results will provide information on forage quality and availability, and in turn help us to determine carrying capacity and impact of the oryx on the environment. Further work will be undertaken to assess broader scale changes in biomass through satellite imagery. d) Mammal surveys Monthly spoor transects supplemented by camera-trap data to determine the relative abundance and distribution of mammals sharing the environment with the oryx. Over time, the data will help us to assess competition by understanding relationships between grazing herbivores, and predation by larger carnivores, while the status of smaller mammals may indicate broader environmental changes. Further information will be gained through carnivore scat analyses. 12

13 Figure 30. Wild boar photographed at night in Dghoumes National Park using a camera trap e) Reptile surveys Timed random searches for reptiles carried out within and outside the protected area at the end of the winter and end of the summer. Many of these species are reliant on vegetation cover and structure for thermo-regulation and hunting, so their presence and abundance is a good indicator of habitat condition. Figure 31. Dr. Ernesto Fillipi catching a viper to record morphological data in Dghoumes NP f) Population Management Plan Data from surveys and monitoring will be used to update our oryx population growth models and estimates of herbivore carrying capacity. A population management plan will be produced with the aim of maintaining oryx numbers below carrying capacity to avoid density dependent growth and environmental degradation. Means of off-take including translocation, hard release and culling will be evaluated. Conservation genetics & evaluation of the national scimitar-horned oryx metapopulation A quarter of a century since the initial release of scimitar-horned oryx to Tunisian protected areas, the results have been mixed. The population in Bou Hedma peaked at around 130 animals between 2000 and 2005, but has since declined and now stands at 50 individuals. The population in Sidi Toui appears to have stagnated and is around 40 individuals. In contrast, despite just three founders, there are now 37 oryx in Oued Dekouk, and having grown rapidly, the population of oryx in Dghoumes now numbers 75 animals. The creation of a meta-population of reintroduced oryx in relatively small, fenced protected areas is unique. Theoretically, these small isolated groups created from few and possibly closely related founders will suffer inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity, so the Tunisian experiment offers an unprecedented opportunity to test these hypotheses under real life conditions. The results will have wider implications for conservation biology, but will also help inform practical decisions about the management of the Tunisian oryx population. Indeed, while there is hope for the reintroduction of the species into unrestricted, free ranging conditions elsewhere in the Sahara (e.g. Chad), the meta-population model may be the only option that many former range states can adopt if they want to see the return of the oryx. Through this initiative we seek to: Evaluate historic population performance Assess genetic diversity in Tunisian oryx compared to EEP and SSP source populations Produce recommendations for metapopulation management The programme of work will include visits to all of Tunisia s protected areas to collate historic and current population records, understand historic management intervention, undertake veterinary health 13

14 assessments and collect tissue samples for genetic analyses from oryx in the national parks and EEP institutions. Addax Monitoring & Translocation In 2007, addax were translocated from Bou Hedma to establish new populations in Djebil and Senghar National Parks respectively. Additional animals were imported from European (EEP) and the North American (SSP) breeding programmes for genetic augmentation and were released into a fenced area of Djebil NP, mixing with those from Bou Hedma. This founder population of 29 animals (8.21 ) has now more than doubled and continues to grow, presenting the opportunity to transfer individuals to genetically augment the group at Senghar with offspring born to imported females. Figure 32. Addax in Djebil NP Marie Petretto, Abdelkader Chetoui and Gian Lorenzo D Alterio recently visited Djebil to assess the feasibility of capturing and ear-tagging calves to readily identify appropriate animals for translocation when old enough. The addax continue to be habituated to human presence and are approachable, and the EEP and SSP females are easily identified from existing ear-tags and other distinct features. This provides the opportunity to identify and ear-tag calves quickly and without need for sedation. A series of regular visits to the site is proposed until sufficient calves have been tagged to translocate a minimum of 10 individuals. Supplementary veterinary and other monitoring data will be collected in the process. The timeframe and number of visits before a translocation is possible will be dependent on the rate at which appropriate calves are born and identified, and time needed for the youngest of these animals to be old enough to be moved. Figure 33. Addax and calves at Djebil NP Activities & Timeframe Fieldwork activities are planned from January Oryx and habitat monitoring in Dghoumes National Park and the monitoring of addax and marking calves in Djebil National Park will occur at planned intervals over a two year period, concluding at the end of Collection of oryx tissue samples for genetic analyses is planned in each of four protected areas in the latter part of 2012 and 2013, with subsequent laboratory analyses undertaken in early Costs & Funding Request The total cost of operations is anticipated to be 73,400 (Table 1). A grant of 43,000 has been received from the Sahara Conservation Fund, but we are looking for additional funding from institutions wishing to support the conservation of scimitar-horned oryx and its habitat. We would be very grateful for support for either the whole programme in Tunisia, or individual projects, as detailed below. Marwell maintains a stock of basic fieldwork and veterinary equipment, and consumables. These have not been included in the project costs. 14

15 Table 1. Breakdown of individual project costs for the Tunisia programme for one year. The programme will run beyond this time scale, but funding is allocated on a year-by-year basis Cost item Cost basis ( ) Oryx & ecological monitoring, Dghoumes National Park Programme Manager 20 days field & desk 150 per 3,000 day Project Manager 144 days 20 per day 2,880 Vehicle mileage fieldwork 28,000km per 0.36p per km 10,080 Herpetological survey per day 2,400 Veterinary/health survey 200 per day 2,400 Travel & accommodation visiting 2 visits x per visit 1,500 consultants* Cost for one year 22,260 Addax monitoring & marking, Djebil National Park Programme Manager 25 days 150 per day 3,750 Project Manager 12 days 20 per day 240 Vehicle mileage Tozeur - Djebil & fieldwork 500km x p per km 720 Veterinary consultant 200 per day 2,400 Cost for one year 7,110 *also covers veterinary visits to Djebil NP Genetics & review of meta-population in Tunisian protected areas Programme Coordinator 25 days field 150 per day 3,750 Project Manager 15 days fieldwork 20 per day 300 Mileage Tozeur - Sidi Toui - Oued Dekouk 0.36p per km 486 Bou Hedma Disposable items biopsy darts, ethanol, collection tubes 500 Shipment of samples to UK Transport samples to UK 250 Laboratory analysis 175 samples 9400 Total cost of one year project 14,686 Total 44,056 15

16 References Beudels-Jamar, R.C., Devillers, P., LaFontaine, R.M., Devillers-Terschuren, J. & Beudels, M.O Sahelo-Saharan antelopes. Status and perspectives. Report on the conservation status of the six Sahelo-Saharan Antelopes. Second Edition. CMS Technical Series Publication. UNEP/CMS Secretariat: DGF, 2001 Stratégie nationale Tunisienne pour la conservation et la restauration des antilopes Sahélo-Sahariennes et de leurs habitats. Ministère de l Agriculture, Direction Générale des Forêts, Direction de la Conservation des Forêts, Tunisia. McGuinness, J Footprint Tunisia handbook. Globe Pequot Press Woodfine, T. & Engel, H Reintroduction and metapopulation of addax and oryx in Tunisia. Proceedings of the fifth annual Sahelo-Saharan Interest Group meeting, Souss, Tunisia (Eds. S. Monfort & T.Correll) 16