NEWS
I N TH E W I L D
COMMUNITY SPIRIT Lake Alaotra in Madagascar is under increasing pressure from the 100,000 people who live around its shores. Although it is home to several threatened species, the marshes surrounding the lake are being cleared at an alarming rate to make way for rice fields. Our team have been working with local communities to restore the lake and protect the unique wildlife that lives there. Over the past year, 27 hectares of marsh were successfully planted, and 4.5km of channels have been cleared of the damaging invasive plant, water hyacinth. The team have provided training to local people to transform the removed hyacinth into organic fertiliser and woven baskets to benefit the community. The success of these restoration efforts will ensure the long-term protection of this unique ecosystem for the benefit of both the wildlife and people who depend on it.
6
W IL D L I F E I SS U E 1 • 2 02 0
JERSEY’S CHOUGHS SOAR TO NEW HEIGHTS The choughs have been spreading their wings across Jersey with a record number of successful nesting attempts in 2019. A total of 16 ‘choughlets’ (fledged chicks) were recorded throughout the year, one of which came from the picturesque coastline of Plémont several kilometres from the release site. Since their reintroduction to the island in 2013, the Jersey chough population has been steadily growing as a result of the team’s close monitoring and care, combined with successful breeding in the wild. For more information on the project, visit www.birdsontheedge.org
