Latest News
Read the news from the Rufford Small Grants Foundation and supported projects. You can see the latest updates from projects here.
Rothschild's giraffe joins list of species threatened by extinction
Monday 9th August 2010
The Rothschild's giraffe is the latest charismatic African mammal to be declared "Endangered" by IUCN (the International Union for the Conservation of Nature), adding to the growing number of species under threat of extinction. The recent analysis by Fennessy and Brenneman 2010 indicates that the Rothschild's populations are in peril and the IUCN Red List supports this (http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/174469/0)
There are currently nine recognised giraffe sub-species and the Rothschild's is the second most imperilled, with fewer than 670 individuals remaining in the wild. Historically ranging across western Kenya, Uganda, and southern Sudan, it has been almost totally eliminated from most of its former range and now survives in only a few small and isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda.
In Kenya, all known wild populations of Rothschild's giraffe have been eradicated by agricultural development and remnant populations are confined to National Parks, private properties and other protected areas. These remaining populations are physically isolated from one another making it impossible for them to interbreed and population growth is further hindered as a result of the closed nature of these conservation areas which have reached or exceeded carrying capacities.
Sixty per cent of the world's remaining wild population of Rothschild's giraffe are found in Kenya (with the remainder in Uganda), a country that has recently shown its commitment to giraffe conservation. With the launch of a National Giraffe Conservation Strategy, the first giraffe-focussed conservation action plan of its kind, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is leading the way. This Strategy will work to conserve all three of the giraffe sub-species found in Kenya, in particular the endangered Rothschild's giraffe. Its development marks a first in giraffe conservation and raises awareness of the significance of, and urgent need to conserve these animals.
Despite low population figures and an "Endangered" status, little is known about the ecology and behaviour of Rothschild's giraffe in the wild, an issue that must be addressed if we are to develop and implement effective conservation strategies. To this end the Rothschild's Giraffe Project was launched in Spring 2010. This project seeks to provide the first scientific review of Rothschild's behaviour and ecology in the wild, and provide information about key ecological and habitat requirements necessary for the development and implementation of meaningful conservation initiatives.
Dr Julian Fennessy, well known in African conservation circles for his pioneering work in giraffe conservation, comments "I am delighted and of course saddened at the same time that the Rothschild giraffe has finally made the IUCN Red List status. We have been striving for this for a while now and hope this will highlight to the world the critical state its tallest creature is in. As the second giraffe sub-species (of 9 known) to now be listed as endangered, we all have our work cut out to form sound conservation strategies to improve the situation in the short, medium and long term. The whole thrust of our work here is to put strategies in place BEFORE it is too late - extinction is simply not an option."
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is actively supporting the Rothschild's Giraffe Project as well as other giraffe research across Africa. These include the provision of technical support and funding, sharing data and results for a comprehensive approach to giraffe conservation. "I can't imagine a world without giraffes, this news makes it imperative we must act to protect and preserve these magnificent creatures." comments Lynn Sherr Patron, GCF. Having already raised a significant amount of funding to help support research into the West African giraffe (approximately 220 left in the wild in all of West Africa), focussed efforts by GCF will raise awareness of the plight of the Rothschild's giraffe and help protect this sub-species in the wild for generations to come.
If you would like to know more about GCF or specifically the Rothschild's Giraffe Project please go online to: www.giraffeconservation.org or www.girafferesearch.com
Whitley Fund for Nature – Call for applications for the Whitley Awards 2011
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a UK registered charity offering “Whitley Awards” to outstanding nature conservation leaders around the world. Whitley Awards are both an international profile prize and a form of project grant (currently £30,000 over one year, with a top prize of £60,000 over two years).
The application process for the Whitley Awards 2011 is now open – the deadline for applications is Sunday October 31st 2010.
Please visit www.whitleyaward.org to download an application form and find guidance on how to apply.
The Awards will be presented by WFN Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, at the annual Whitley Awards Ceremony in May 2011 and successful applicants will receive funding in June 2011,
Whitley Awards are open to conservation leaders working in countries or regions of which they are nationals and that are not defined as a HIGH-INCOME ECONOMY by the World Bank (exceptions to this criterion include island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean and some countries in the Middle East).
For full eligibility criteria, please visit http://whitleyaward.org/faq.php).
To contact WFN, please email info@whitleyaward.org
RSGF recipients chosen as 2010 Kinship Conservation Fellows
Kinship Conservation Fellows are a ground-breaking environmental leadership programme. There are a network of 139 fellows in 33 countries within 6 continents, all have been picked for their dedication to effective conservation.
Each year 18 Fellows from around the world are selected to receive a $6,000 award, in 2010, three of them are RSGF recipients' Peter G. Mulbah (Liberia), Iregi Mwengi (Kenya) and Som B. Ale (Nepal).
To read more about the Kinship Conservation Fellows http://www.kinshipfellows.org/
Peter Mulbah http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/peter_mulbah_0
Iregi Mwengi http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/iregi_mwenja_1
Som B. Ale http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/som_ale
Mohammad Farhadinia winner of National Youth Award in Iran
On 8 July 2010, final ceremony for the first National Festival of Iranian Youth was held in Tehran, Iran. The festival was organized in 14 categories with numerous attendants from across the country as well as Iranian youths abroad.
Mohammad Farhadinia was selected to win the First Iranian Youth Award on category “environment and natural resources” for 2010. More than 4100 youths sent their application. He received his award from Iranian vice-President and head of the Iranian National Youth Organization as well as several parliament members and Iranian Administration representatives. He just finished his master on Persian leopard in University of Tehran.
He worked as managing director for the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS) since establishment in 2001 until 2008, and now he is working as the ICS co-founder as well as deputy of Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project (since 2008).
The selection was due to his longterm efforts to save the Iranian large carnivores, particulalry Asiatic cheetah and Persian leopard. He already won a number of national and international awards, personally or as a representative from the Iranian Cheetah Society (ICS), such as Iranian National Environment Award (2005) and “Future for Nature Award” in Burger Zoo, the Netherlands (2009).
RSGF launches new online application system
The Rufford Small Grants Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its online application system. The new system makes is easier than ever to submit and manage applications for funding support for nature conservation projects.
If you have previously been awarded a grant, your existing Rufford Small Grants Foundation website login details will give you access to the new system and a record of your previous grants. You can submit new applications through the system, and monitor the progress of each one.
New applicants should sign up for an account on the new website and follow the instructions to supply profile and other information.
Article Published in The Washington Post
The Washington Post published an article about penguins including some comments and references to Pablo Garcia-Borboroglu work. To read the article in full click on the link http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/20/AR200911...
Ganges River Dolphin as National Aquatic Animal of India
Dr. Abdul Wakid informed us that Gangetic dolphin has been declared as the National Aquatic Animal!
This decision was taken in the first meeting of the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday, 5th October, 09.
Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said that like the tiger as the national animal and peacock as the national bird, the government had declared dolphins as the National Aquatic Animal as it represented the health of the rivers. Dr. Abdul Wakid said that he hoped that this new status of the animal will help a lot in its conservation.
RSGF announces 2 new grants
With immediate effect we are suspending the Innovation Grants (those which have already been awarded will continue to be funded). In their place we are giving the chance for people who have successfully completed a ‘booster’ grant to apply for a Continuation Grant up to £25,000 and a Completion Grant for up to £25,000.
In order to apply you must have submitted the final report for your 1st RSG, 2nd RSG and your Booster Grant. We are only able to pay the money through an organisation and not direct to individuals. It will be the applicant's responsibility to find an organisation to act as a conduit. On completion of the Continuation Grant there is then the option to apply for a Completion Grant. The same criteria apply for this grant and it is then expected that further funding (if needed) is sought from other organisations.
Eligible candidates are invited to apply through the online applications system.
March 2009: RSG Recipient Mohammad Farhadina wins Future for Nature Award
Mohammad says 'It is my pleasure to inform you that I won the prestegious award of Future for Nature in Burger Zoo, Arnhem, the Netherlands. A total of 148 wildlife conservationists from 56 countries around the world participated in the competition and I was selected due to my efforts for the cheetah and the leopard in Iran. I received the award from Sir David Attenborough and I am sure it will be a significant milestone in my personal life. I would like to thank you so much for your advice and help which empowered me to do my job in the best way'.
For more information go to http://www.futurefornature.net/ or http://www.cheetah.org/?nd=03_2009_farhadinia_award or visit his RSG project page http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/Projects/MohammadFarhadinia
Congratulations Mohammad!
Dr. Pablo Borboroglu has been awarded the 2009 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.
Dr. Pablo Borboroglu has been awarded the 2009 Pew Fellowship in Marine Conservation.
Pew Marine Conservation Fellowships are regarded as the world’s preeminent awards for marine conservation. The Pew Fellows Program in Marine Conservation provides fellowships to outstanding scientists and other individuals across the globe to support innovative, applied projects aimed at developing and implementing solutions to critical challenges facing the world’s oceans. These grants are given to mid-career professionals whose future contributions to marine science will be significantly enhanced by the fellowship.
Read the full press release below. Photographs and more information about each of the 2009 Pew Fellows in Marine Conservation are available at http://www.pewmarinefellows.org/2009
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| Pew Press Release.pdf | 283.06 KB |