In January 2024, a lightning strike caused forest fires to break out in two areas of Lonquimay commune, Chile, within both the Araucaria Biosphere Reserve and the Kütralkura UNESCO World Geopark. These fires were unusual in the rate at which
Read moreBOLSTERING COORDINATION AND CAPACITY OF FIRE-FIGHTING EFFORTS IN THE BRAZILIAN PANTANAL
In November 2023, severe and protracted forest fires affected the Pantanal Conservation Area World Heritage site and Pantanal Biosphere Reserve, threatening the integrity of this unique wetland habitat that harbours species such as jaguar, aquatic birds and giant otter. By
Read moreAVIAN INFLUENZA RESPONSE IN THE GALAPAGOS
The Galapagos archipelago is a world-famous UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, known for its rich diversity of endemic species and as a living showcase for evolution. The islands’ biodiversity is closely linked with the surrounding ocean, making them a vital
Read moreRAPID WASTE REMOVAL TO RESTORE SIMIEN NATIONAL PARK, ETHIOPIA
The Simien National Park (SMNP) in Northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape, where massive erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500m. The Park is of global significance for biodiversity,
Read moreSTRENGTHENING VITAL SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS IN NIGER’S W NATIONAL PARK
The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is a mosaic of nine protected areas spreading across three countries (Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger). Together these areas create the largest and most important continuum of terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems across in the West African
Read moreEMERGENCY SUPPORT TO VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK’S MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
Virunga National Park (790,000 ha) is the first national park established on the African continent and comprises an outstanding diversity of habitats, including swamps, steppes, snowy mountain peaks, savannahs, and the two most active volcanoes in Africa. The park is
Read moreSuppressing the spread of uncontrolled fire in Mount Kenya National Park
From mid-March 2022, fires scoured sections of the National Park, threatening key moorland and forest habitats on Mount Kenya. Some forest glades containing mature rosewood and cedar trees were lost early on and without a significant response, further losses to
Read moreEmergency response to attack in W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, with the area supporting 85% of the remaining savannah elephants in West Africa, the only viable population of lions in the region and one of the few populations of cheetah
Read moreBattling Blazes in the Brazilian Cerrado
The Cerrado biome is also the most biodiverse savannah in the world, home to approximately 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. The region supports many rare and endemic animals and plants, including the giant anteater, giant armadillo, maned wolf, jaguar, pampas
Read moreSAVING THE VAQUITA FROM EXTINCTION
In particular, vaquita are affected by gillnets used to capture the endemic ‘totoaba’ fish, which is targeted for its swim bladder for overseas markets. No fishing activities are permitted within the vaquita’s core range, but nevertheless, illegal fishing continues. The
Read more