IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) E-Bulletin July 2004

This monthly Bulletin, as a supplement to SPECIES, SSC’s published newsletter, is to keep staff, members and the wider IUCN network up-to-date with news and announcements from the Commission.

Previous issues: visit the archives

In this issue:

- AFRICA'S LAST NORTHERN WHITE RHINOS DECIMATED BY POACHING
- IUCN/TRAFFIC ANALYSES OF CITES PROPOSALS AVAILABLE
- NEW MAMMAL SPECIES DISCOVERED BY SSC SPECIALIST GROUP CHAIR
- EXTINCTION VULNERABILITY OF CORAL REEF SPECIES
- GUIDELINES ON THE CONSERVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
- GUARDIANS OF THE WATERSHED - GLOBAL STATUS OF DRAGONFLIES
- EX SITU PLANT CONSERVATION - SUPPORTING SPECIES SURVIVAL IN THE WILD
- COLIN BIBBY
- IUCN SPECIES PROGRAMME HEAD PROMOTED
- NEW ON THE WEB
- ELASMOBRANCH FISHERIES MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
- IUCN SOUTH AMERICA ENDANGERED SPECIES BULLETIN
- REMINDER - REGISTER FOR THE SSC MEETING AT THE 3rd IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS

AFRICA'S LAST NORTHERN WHITE RHINOS DECIMATED BY POACHING CRISIS IN GARAMBA WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The results of a recent survey of the world's only wild population of northern white rhinoceros in the Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo reveal a minimum population of only 17-22 animals, despite the birth of four calves in 2004. This represents a loss of between 14-19 rhinos in just 14 months; more than half of the world's wild northern white rhinos have been lost in just over a year. While African rhino numbers across the continent have been increasing overall, the situation with the northern white and western black subspecies is extremely alarming. Full story

IUCN/TRAFFIC ANALYSES OF CITES PROPOSALS AVAILABLE

Thursday 29 July was a landmark for IUCN's Wildlife Trade Programme and TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, as they completed their technical reviews of the proposals submitted to change the listing of plant and animal species on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendices. Publication of the Analyses of Proposals to Amend the CITES Appendices, online and on CD-ROM, is the culmination of three months' intensive consultations involving hundreds of experts around the world. The reviews allow the CITES Parties to form their positions on the proposals based on the best and most up-to-date scientific information. Full story

NEW MAMMAL SPECIES DISCOVERED BY SSC SPECIALIST GROUP CHAIR

Chair of SSC's Cracid Specialist Group, Dan Brooks who is also Curator of Zoology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and a team of researchers, have discovered a new mammal species, Orzyomys andersoni (Rodentia: Muridea) - a new species of rice rat from the Cerrado region of Brazil. While there were several differences in the fur pattern and skull morphology, molecular genetics were used to compare specimens and test for differentiation between them. While many new species are frequently discovered, it is rare to discover a new mammal species. "Usually only two to three percent genetic differentiation is needed to validate a new species, in this case the specimen has 10 percent," said Brooks. "We named the new species Anderson's rice rat (Orzyomys andersoni) in honour of Syd Anderson, an Emeritus Curator of Mammals at the American Museum of Natural History, who devoted his life to studying the mammals of Bolivia." A detailed analysis of the new species was published in the Occasional Paper Number 241 of the Museum of Texas Tech University, and is available here.

EXTINCTION VULNERABILITY OF CORAL REEF SPECIES
At the 10th International Coral Reef Symposium (ICRS) held in Okinawa, Japan, 24 June to 4 July 2004, SSC's Marine Programme and IUCN's Global Marine Programme coordinated a series of presentations focusing on the extinction vulnerability of coral reef species and the tools available to analyze this and address threats. The panel included Yvonne Sadovy SSC Grouper and Wrasse Specialist Group Chair, and Terry Donaldson, Chair of the SSC Coral Reef Fishes Specialist Group. The presentations examined the emerging science about the vulnerability of coral reef organisms, in particular groupers and wrasses and other vulnerable reef fish as well corals and other invertebrate species. The panelists examined the role of policy and information tools such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and CITES, as well as the application of conservation mechanisms such as protected areas in conserving and managing threatened coral reef species.

GUIDELINES ON THE CONSERVATION OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
An international workshop to consider the first draft revision of the Guidelines on the Conservation of Medicinal Plants, originally released in 1993 by WHO, IUCN, and WWF, was held in Kunming, China, in June. It brought together 30 experts in plant conservation, community forestry, traditional health systems, medicine and community health, community development and small enterprise, trade in threatened species, ethno-pharmacology, and other areas relevant to the use, sustainable use, and conservation of medicinal plants. The contributions made during this workshop will greatly assist the Steering Committee (on which IUCN is represented by the SSC Medicinal Plant Specialist Group and the Wildlife Trade Programme) in revising these guidelines to reflect the complex interests and sensibilities of many stakeholders. A final draft of the Guidelines will be presented for discussion during the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, in November this year.

GUARDIANS OF THE WATERSHED - GLOBAL STATUS OF DRAGONFLIES
Dragonflies are the guardians of the watershed and reliable indicators of the quality of wetland habitats. Their changing distribution and abundance in these habitats underscores global problems of shortage and pollution of freshwater. Guardians of the watershed. Global status of dragonflies: critical species, threat and conservation has been published as a special issue of the International Journal of Odonatology. It contains a report on the global threat status of dragonflies by the SSC Odonata Specialist Group. In 22 'IUCN Regional Reports' readers can learn about threatened species from almost all parts of world, about their habitats, and about recommended conservation measures and research. In addition, a review of the odonatological history of each region and extensive references for further reading are also presented. Copies can be ordered from the IUCN Bookstore.

EX SITU PLANT CONSERVATION - SUPPORTING SPECIES SURVIVAL IN THE WILD
Mike Maunder, Co-Chair of the SSC Plant Conservation Committee, and many SSC members contributed to a new book Ex Situ Plant Conservation - Supporting Species Survival in the Wild, the first to address integrated plant conservation strategies and examine the scientific, technical, and strategic bases of the ex situ approach. The book examines where and how ex situ investment can best support in situ conservation. It outlines the role, value, and limits of ex situ conservation as well as updating best management practices for the field, and is an invaluable resource for botanic gardens, zoos, and other conservation organizations, protected area managers, and many other groups involved in species conservation. More information

COLIN BIBBY
SSC sadly reports that Colin Bibby died on 7 August 2004. Colin was one of the Commission's guiding lights for many years. He had a life-long interest in biology and conservation, working for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds for 20 years, ultimately as Head of Conservation Science. In 1989 Colin joined the International Council for Bird Preservation (predecessor to BirdLife International) as Director of Research, where he applied his skills and experience at an international level, promoting research and survey, priority setting and target driven programmes of conservation action for species, sites and habitats. As Director of Conservation and then Director of Science and Policy at BirdLife International, Colin encouraged other organisations, including SSC, to follow rigorous strategy development. Colin left BirdLife International in 2001 and devoted his professional time to helping other conservation organisations and international companies develop their strategic thinking for biodiversity conservation. Colin championed the free distribution of information, believing that this was the key to successful advocacy. He fostered the idea of the 'Biodiversity Commons' as the best way of sharing knowledge of life on earth in order to ensure its survival. Colin was a prolific publisher, an outstanding public speaker, and leaves a great legacy for conservation and ornithology.

IUCN SPECIES PROGRAMME HEAD PROMOTED
Sue Mainka, who has been head of the IUCN Species Programme for nearly four years (and deputy coordinator for three years before that) has been promoted to a new position in IUCN headquarters. In September she will move to the position of Senior Programme Officer in IUCN's Global Programme Unit. Deputy Coordinator of the Species Programme, Jean-Christophe Vié will act as head of the Programme until the vacancy is filled. See the IUCN Vacancies page

NEW ON THE WEB

ELASMOBRANCH FISHERIES MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
The manual Elasmobranch Fisheries Management Techniques is now available via the SSC Shark Specialist Group (SSG) website: edited by John A. Musick, SSG Co-Chair, and Ramón Bonfil. It provides the basic information needed to manage shark fisheries. Subjects include species identification, field sampling techniques, data analysis, and management measures. It is hoped the manual will lead to sustainable shark fisheries and more timely implementation of the FAO International Plan of Action for Sharks.

IUCN SOUTH AMERICA ENDANGERED SPECIES BULLETIN
The 2nd IUCN Regional Office for South America Endangered Species E-bulletin is now available in Spanish (contact listasrojas@sur.iucn.org). This issue is dedicated to CITES, and includes articles written by SSC members in the region, the IUCN Marine Programme, and TRAFFIC South America.

REMINDER - REGISTER FOR THE SSC MEETING AT THE 3rd IUCN WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS
SSC members are reminded to register and book their flights for the Commission-wide meeting to be held as part of the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress in Bangkok in November. See the Congress website for the agenda and details of how to register. Flights to Bangkok are filling up fast!

If you would like more information on any of the items included in this issue or wish to submit an item to future issues, please contact Anna Knee (alk@iucn.org); tel: +41 (0)22 999 0153.