Ubuntu Magazine, spring 2024

CSL ZAMBIA

Support from Humankind’s Oldest Ally: Using Dog’s Keen Sense of Smell to Aid in Cracking Down the Illegal Wildlife Trade

EGYPTIAN VULTURE CONSERVATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

Following a Flyway –Conservation of the Egyptian Vulture

RUGVIN FOUNDATION

Of Ocean Engineers and Whale Poo Ambassadors

Free-flow of Exchange for Healthy Rivers, People, and Communities

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08 CSL ZAMBIA

Support from Humankind’s Oldest Ally: Using Dog’s Keen Sense of Smell to Aid in Cracking Down the Illegal Wildlife Trade

Prithvi Sharma’s Voice for Nature

Following a Flyway – Conservation of the

54 STARGAZER

64

Rebecca Furunäs

CARBON KAPTURE

Farming For The Future: How Seaweed Can Help Combat Climate Change

68

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Oceanic Whitetip Shark

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RÍOS TO RIVERS

Ríos to Rivers - A Free-flow of Exchange for Healthy Rivers, People, and Communities

HOW WOULD THE WORLD LOOK, IF NATURE – RIVERS, FORESTS, MOUNTAINS

AND MORE – WOULD STOP AND START PRECISELY ON HUMAN-MADE BORDERS?

The Okavango Delta wouldn’t exist like we know it today, as the water from the Angolan source lakes would never be able to cross into Namibia or Botswana, for example. It would be a strange, perhaps even impossible world to imagine. And luckily, we don’t have to. Because nature does not bind itself to these human-made borders, it just does what it needs to do.

Although nature might not be impacted by borders, nature conservation projects surely are. Day after day, story after story, it comes to light how difficult those borders are for trans-national conservation work. One story – the story about the Egyptian Vulture – showcases this as well. Egyptian Vultures are the only long-distance migratory vulture species, crossing countless borders whilst in flight. It is this migratory behavior that is the biggest challenge for conservationists trying to prevent the vulture’s extinction. Whilst breeding or wintering areas are relatively defined and therefore easily protected, it’s the migratory route itself that is the biggest challenge. It is here where vultures travel unprotected, and vanish during their migration. Tailor-made solutions for each involved country, as well as international collaboration, are key to making projects like these successful.

On the other side of the world, indigenous people kayak over rivers, crossing borders while they are at it, in order to save their precious water systems from getting dammed. Here again, borders do not matter. Only the natural flow of the river does. What is impressive, is that because the river is so vital to many people’s livelihoods – regardless of their nationality – it unites them. Communities that might otherwise never meet, now come together to safeguard the river’s natural flow. And where such an achievement might not be possible when done by one community, it becomes realistic when standing and working together.

The protection of nature requires unity, cooperation, and humanity. It requires us all to see the bigger picture involved. However, that does not mean it is always easy. Different countries, regions, cultures and even stakeholders can have varying opinions and plans regarding a specific piece of nature, or a specific species even. It is up to us to find common ground as well as aligning goals in those situations. It is our task to erase those borders on the map, even if only applicable for nature conservation work. After reading the stories from this issue, I am more than confident that we – all of us – can unite to make transfrontier conservation work.

- Manon Verijdt

ZAMBIA

SUPPORT FROM HUMANKIND’S OLDEST ALLY:

USING DOG’S KEEN SENSE OF SMELL TO AID IN CRACKING DOWN THE ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE

For 20 years, Conservation South Luangwa’s mission has been to mitigate wildlife conflict and wildlife crime. Through this work they have become trusted allies to Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) as well as many other conservation organizations within Zambia and Southern and Central Africa. 10 years ago, they called upon a new ally to aid them in their work… Canines. Looking back, their work with canines to combat wildlife crime and trade has undoubtedly been a success and has become a new way to combat poaching in the region. Today, Benson Kanyembo, the lead Law Enforcement Advisor shares his personal story and experiences and the lessons he has learned from working with the dogs.

Janet Sakala and Earl

Photo credit: Marcus Westberg

ENTERING THE NATURE CONSERVATION WORLD

“I used to go with my dad on his trucking business. That’s where I saw the poaching business going on. ‘ I asked dad, what is going on.’ And he said, ‘This is illegal wildlife trading, people are doing what they can to survive and live.’ And as young as I was, I made a vow to do something about this when I grew up, because it was crazy, it was everywhere, bushmeat, ivory. That was from the ‘70s, ‘80s, up till the ‘90s. It was just so bad.”

Benson’s journey into nature conservation started as a kid, when his family moved to Mpika in 1975, close to North Luangwa National Park. At the age of 5 he first heard about Zambia’s iconic wildlife; becoming especially entranced by the black rhino and elephant whose numbers were some of the highest in Africa. However, it was also in his childhood when he was first exposed to the illegal wildlife trade and exploitation. From the 1970s until the late 1980s, the Luangwa had the worst poaching crisis in its history resulting in large declines in its wildlife numbers.

“AS YOUNG AS I WAS, I MADE A VOW TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS WHEN I GREW UP, BECAUSE IT WAS CRAZY, IT IS EVERYWHERE, BUSHMEAT, IVORY. THAT WAS FROM THE ‘70S, ‘80S, UP TILL THE ‘90S. IT WAS JUST SO BAD.”

He recalls hearing stories from poachers about leaving elephant carcasses, littering the landscape. He remembers when the last rhinos were killed in Zambia.

Growing up in this scourge’s wake, he was astonished to see no one pushing back against the trafficking of Zambia’s nature. No one cared about the fate of Zambia’s animals. With these memories indelibly etched into his consciousness, he couldn’t help but care. He could not accept that this was business-as-usual. While the government’s attention was on the struggle and poverty of people, Benson was called towards the struggling and suffering of Zambia’s wildlife. With this in mind, he began to help with conservation in secondary school and eventually, like his parents, found his way into lawenforcement with a special focus on wildlife crime. Years later, he found himself with CSL, an organization helping to protect the wildlife in and around the South Luangwa National Park while at the same time working with local communities to find ways in which they too can benefit from the park’s resources.

Starting with a small group of six community scouts and now numbering 137 full-time employees, CSL, in partnership with DNPW and other local stakeholders, has played a significant role in the decline in poached wildlife within South Luangwa National Park. What makes CSL unique is both their ability to use information to track wildlife crime through extensive surveillance

Benson Kanyembo

Photo credit: Mjose Jozie

ZAMBIA

and monitoring systems, while at the same time working with communities to change the way wildlife is used and viewed. Benson has been an integral part of this approach. Since his arrival in 2009 as Operations Manager, he has been part of the direct training of dozens of rangers, won the 2019 Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award, and helped to start the K9 unit in 2013/14; an approach which has had massive implications in how antipoaching enforcement is conducted in Zambia and abroad, with many organizations in the area expressing interest in its success.

K9 UNIT

Benson praises the K9 unit while at the same time stressing that it is something that is a privilege to have; it is an expensive program which is only possible as a result of other international organizations and the time investment is tremendous. Choosing the dogs themselves is a highly selective process (they are rescue dogs), with only a select few being deemed to have the right temperament and instincts for the job. After such a selection, training occurs in basic command, practicing the following of certain scents, and how to respond to certain situations. Of those, even fewer make it through to graduation, as extensive training takes multiple years. Once graduated from the training academy, which is done in the United States at an Indiana organization called Working Dogs for Conservation, the dogs are finally exposed to their work environment as well as to the specific smells with which they will be tasked with recognizing on their missions. Some of these include ivory, pangolin scales, different species of bushmeat, live animals, animal skins, ammunition and firearms, and illegally trafficked timber such as mukula.

Throughout this process, an equally important selection is made on the dog handlers, the people who are tasked with working and taking care of the dogs day in and day out. Not everyone has the right attitude and ability to work with the canines at CSL’s disposal. A dog handler must be firm enough to always have the dog listen to Alick Banda and Tygee

Photo credit: Rachel Rebibo

Mike Njobvu and Earl

Photo credit: Ed Selfe

them, no matter the circumstances. The dog’s training continues every day, with no mission being the same. If the dogs cannot listen to their handlers or the dog handler cannot handle the dog, they can expose both themselves and the people who rely on them to danger. Choosing the right handlers is as important as the training of the dogs themselves. While Benson is not a dog handler himself, he is part of the selection process of handlers. With his experience he can make the judgment calls as to who would be capable of being placed in such a vital role.

While the time investment is tremendous and the selection process intense, having the K9 unit is a major advantage when it comes to searching larger areas for illegal wildlife parts. As Benson says, “A house being searched by humans can take one hour, with a dog, within 5-10 minutes you have searched that house. There were some of these bigger trucks which were an issue for human security to search but for dogs it’s quick and efficient. The dogs have been a game changer in how we run and conduct operations. Especially if it is an information led operation.”

The K9 unit is only one small part of a bigger mission to prevent and catch poaching within Zambia. Most of the “fighting” is informational, it is about gathering intel on poaching syndicates, their trade routes, and capabilities. If credible information is gathered through informational networks, mission success rates are 100%. It is then only a matter of getting the K9 team into the right checkpoint and finding the poached wildlife within the vehicles. Such missions have resulted in unbelievable numbers. In 2023 alone, the K9 unit contributed to 24% of the total apprehended wildlife crime suspects (47 arrests) 29% of firearms confiscations (33 firearms), and 59% of total bushmeat seizures (724 kg of illegal bushmeat) by CSL/DNPW anti-poaching units. Additionally, 28 kg of ivory, one leopard skin, and five Sharpe’s Grysbok skins were confiscated. With these numbers, the K9 unit has been, without a doubt, considered a success. With a current team of six dogs and nine handlers, such successes are primed to continue in the future.

It is important to stress that such a recipe for success works because of information. Without information anti-poaching units are flying blind. And poachers themselves are always adapting, forcing the need to always evolve with the times. Backroads are now being used more often as well as motor bikes rather than larger vehicles. Staying ahead of these changes in tactics and continuing to approach every mission in a strategic manner is why Benson is so valuable to the CSL team. His day-to-day work, which includes strategic planning operations with the DNPW, attending briefings and debriefings, in-house ranger training in different modules, deploying patrol teams in the field, and disciplining officers, allows the evolution of CSL’s law enforcement to continue. His array of experiences, stretching back 30 years, is crucial to CLS’s success.

ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE

Despite Benson’s main focus being on stopping wildlife crime, he acknowledges that real change

ZAMBIA

K9 handlers and dogs

Photo credit: Rachel Rebibo

comes from a community and global level. Communities near the National Park need to have agreements in place where they are allowed to use the National Park’s resources while at the same time enforcing illegal exploitation. It is important the National Park does not become a fortress while at the same time trusting local people to dissuade poaching on hunting grounds. This takes time and education, but Benson acknowledges that without changing the way people think about the fellow species they share the land with, the illegal wildlife trade will only continue to grow. After all it is important to recognize that when it comes to wildlife trafficking, it is often not the locals themselves that benefit from the illegal wildlife trade. It is the criminal syndicates who truly reap the rewards of exploiting Zambia’s wildlife.

“The biggest challenge is the market. As long as there is a market, people will poach. So if we can sort out the market, people will stop poaching. People use poverty as an excuse but it’s not like these people are really poor. The people who are buying this meat, that are buying the ivory, have a lot of money. So they are taking advantage of the people that are poor, the people who are surrounding the parks. To give them this little money (to poach). The people who are making a lot of money are the people from these big syndicates. So as long as the market is there, then this problem is not going to stop.”

While CSL focuses on community outreach and educational projects, there is also a strong need to halt the demand for illegal wildlife parts. At the end of the day, the demand is driving the supply for wildlife exploitation. Addressing this

“THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THE MARKET. AS LONG AS THERE IS A MARKET, PEOPLE WILL POACH. SO IF WE CAN SORT OUT THE MARKET, PEOPLE WILL STOP POACHING.”

root cause of the problem, the market, is the only way permanent change can happen to the point where anti-poaching methods may no longer be needed. It is a two-pronged solution, one aimed at combating the supply through community outreach and education and the other halting the demand by enforcing stricter wildlife trade laws within countries who have an appetite for Zambia’s plants and animals. The anti-poaching team and its components such as the K9 unit, act to disrupt the market through targeting the routes of wildlife parts. But, real, lasting change must come from both global and local change.

FINDING DEEP MEANING

After more than 30 years as a Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer, Benson still feels the pride and joy he felt when he first opted to devote his career towards this noble cause. Change is slow but he has begun to notice some cracks appearing as a result of pressure exerted on the way the market functions. Two of these factors, the regulation and enforcement of governmental forces as well as the education of communities have seen noticeable differences since Benson first started his career. The Zambian government has become a major ally in CSL’s mission. Although CSL depends highly on international donors, the support of the government is extremely important. As Benson mentions, “We have the support from the government, that’s why we’re operating, that’s why we’re here. The government may not provide us with the financial support (the funds come from elsewhere) but we have the support for us to help them protect Mother Nature.”

Progress has also been made within educating people from “households up to the country”. Communities who have educational programs have seen a dramatic shift in how younger people view and think about the nature around them. “There is a lot of change among the younger people. The older people are difficult to convince, they might agree to one thing during the day but at night they may do something else. But for the youngsters we have seen a lot of positivity, a lot of them are wanting to get into conservation.”

Many of you may relate to this general shift in other parts of the world. You may be interested in or are currently working within the nature conservation world. As Benson says, it is no gold mine but the feeling of pride and reward towards meaningful work makes it all worth it.

“If you want to be rich, don’t join as a conservationist. There is no money, you can’t be rich in this job. We are part of the ecosystem, whatever we do to Mother Nature comes back to us. Just look at climate change. These are the effects of our society. So if you are coming into conservation because you want to get rich then you are wasting your time. Go and do something else. Come here with your passion to protect Mother Nature, so that Mother Nature can protect us as well. This is our only heaven, there is no other heaven. So let’s protect it with both of our hands. We are in this together.”

Lastly, Benson stresses that consumers must become aware of where wildlife parts come from. If there is any doubt whether it came from poachers, don’t consume it. This is his appeal to all of us, to be ambassadors for the stopping of the illegal wildlife trade. While Benson is out there doing what he can in the field, others must work in their homes, religious organizations, communities, and countries to raise awareness and halt the market forces exerted in different areas of the world.

Instagram @cslzambia

Linkedin @conservation-south-luangwa-csl

Facebook @cslzambia.org

Website www.cslzambia.org

Collins Lifumbo and Ody Photo credit: Mjose Jozie

K9

handlers and Gene

Photo credit: Marcus Westberg

Janet Sakala with Cassi, Ody, Gene and Earl

Photo credit: Marcus Westberg

Spotting a harbour porpoise in the water.

Photo Credit: Martine Kaldenberg

OF OCEAN ENGINEERS AND WHALE POO AMBASSADORS

Whale poo. Not a subject people generally gravitate towards. Yet, Frank Zanderink, who is the director of the Rugvin Foundation and also a member of the European Cetacean Society Council, has found exactly this to be a key aspect when it comes to combating climate change. Talking to Frank, we get to learn all about the foundation’s various research and education efforts and what needs to be done to aid the conservation of cetaceans in the future.

“WHEN I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH MORE TO DISCOVER IN THE UNDERWATER WORLD, I KNEW I WANTED TO WORK IN MARINE CONSERVATION.”

FRANK, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW YOU GOT STARTED ON THE PATH OF CONSERVING NATURE?

Growing up in the Netherlands I used to go to the forest with my dad in spring and summer time, looking for roe deer and rabbits. This definitely awakened my interest in the living world. I also really enjoyed nature documentaries, and from the age of 16 I got excited by the work that Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund were doing and became a member.

WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY LIKE TO BRING YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

Due to my interest in nature and the lack of marine

biology education in the Netherlands, I decided to study tropical forestry. I became a Greenpeace volunteer and later a part-time officer as a student where I worked on different subjects such as whaling and nuclear power. Then, I moved to Zambia with my wife to work as a conservation officer for WWF.

SO, AT THE TIME YOU DIDN’T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO WORK IN MARINE CONSERVATION?

No, I was mainly interested in the impact of large mammals on the ecosystem, both on land and in the water. Coming back to Europe I worked on many land restoration projects, after which I got interested in a bottlenose dolphin project in

Orcas swimming towards the MS Romantika of Holland Norway Lines

Photo credit: Martine Kaldenberg

Scotland. When I realized that there was so much more to discover in the underwater world, I knew I wanted to work in marine conservation.

Back in the Netherlands, I was looking for a company or institute doing marine conservation which was also in contact with the general public - there wasn’t! So I decided to start one myself.

MUCH OF YOUR RESEARCH TAKES PLACE IN THE EASTERN SCHELDT AND THE NORTH SEA. WHAT KIND OF MARINE MAMMALS DO YOU SEE THERE?

In the Eastern Scheldt, The Netherlands, we have the harbour porpoise, which is one of the smallest cetaceans. The population is about 50 to 60 animals as far as we know. But once in a while we get some unexpected guests like dolphins or even humpback whales. In the North Sea there are a lot of porpoises as well, but also whitebeaked, common and bottlenose dolphins. The further north you go, the more likely it is to see larger animals such as humpback, fin and minke whales or orcas.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THE RESEARCH THAT THE RUGVIN FOUNDATION IS INVOLVED IN?

We do a lot of monitoring from the observation bridge of two ferries from Stena Line, connecting the Hook of Holland with Harwich. This is the first project we started, and it has been going for 19 years. The only gap in the dataset was during COVID, when we weren’t allowed to collect data from the boat.

We also do a lot of photo identification. Previously, most research organizations thought that it was impossible to differentiate harbour porpoises, because they all seemed to look the same. But then we kept seeing an animal near the coast with a nick in the dorsal fin and some big scars. Shortly after we discovered another one we could identify, so we started taking pictures. In 2015, two students started the first catalog and since then we have steadily been adding pictures. We now know of most animals whether they are male or female, if they had calves or how far different individuals travel throughout the estuary.

Nathalie observing at the bridge of Stena Line

SO, AFTER YEARS OF PHOTO IDENTIFICATION, YOU NOW POSSESS A LARGE DATASET. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM IT?

During the first years of data collection, we had seen a calf. We knew that the calving season was in May/June, but since we would also see them in the Eastern Scheldt during that time of year, we started wondering whether they were mating there as well. At the time, literature told us that the mating areas of the porpoises were in the gulf between Denmark and Germany – not in the Eastern Scheldt. At the same time there was still a lot of uncertainty about this, since not much was known about the propagation of these cetaceans in general. It took some years before we finally saw a mating attempt of porpoises in the Eastern Scheldt. Soon, we were able to witness the whole circle of life: The mating, the calving, and animals dying. As we started recognizing more and more animals, we learned that some females only have one offspring every 10 years, while others calf almost every year. We also found that juveniles are highly vulnerable while changing their diet from the mother’s milk to catching their own fish: Porpoises can’t survive if they haven’t had any food for more than three days! So, food availability is clearly very important to their survival.

Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of fish in the Eastern Scheldt, as well as the North Sea. The newspapers might say that there are still a lot of fish left, but our reality is deceiving: we only know what the world looks like from our own perspective but often can’t conceive how the world must have looked like only generations ago. This is what we call the shifting baseline…

OTHER THAN FOOD AVAILABILITY,

ARE THERE ANY OTHER MAJOR THREATS FOR CETACEANS IN THE EASTERN SCHELDT AND THE NORTH SEA?

The North Sea has faced a few decades of really bad circumstances, a lot of poison and chemicals have gone into the North Sea, for example via the

“WE ONLY KNOW WHAT THE WORLD LOOKS LIKE FROM OUR OWN PERSPECTIVE BUT OFTEN CAN’T CONCEIVE HOW THE WORLD MUST HAVE LOOKED LIKE ONLY GENERATIONS AGO.”

Thames. Because of overfishing, the porpoises and dolphins have swum out of the Eastern Scheldt. Today there is much less chemical pollution, the rivers are cleaner and so is the North Sea. Consequently, around the turn of century, fishermen saw the return of the porpoises to the Eastern Scheldt. Amazing news!

However, this doesn’t mean that there are no other threats. Today, plastic pollution has more so become an issue. Microplastics are already in all our bodies, and we have no idea what the effects will be like in a year, a decade, or during a lifetime. We don’t know that for humans, and we don’t know that for marine animals either! What we do know is that animals can suffocate on the larger pieces of plastic or may not be able to eat properly because of plastic filling up their stomachs. That’s not going in the right direction. Another threat is sound pollution, so disturbance via ship noises, windmill parks and other developments.

MENTIONING ALL OF THESE THREATS, WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW MORE ABOUT?

Two thirds of the surface is sea and ocean and compared to the terrestrial research, we don’t know much at all! We exploit oceans for minerals, oil, and gas and harvest krill and phytoplankton without even understanding what effect this will

THE NETHERLANDS

have on the marine ecosystem.

On land, trees, deer, rabbits, and birds are in plain sight for everyone to see, but standing at the beach all you notice is the water surface, maybe some waves or a boat, so most people don’t realize how full of life it is beneath that. If you don’t know what’s there, you can’t love it and you certainly can’t protect it! And if politicians and policy makers don’t know about it, they won’t make any proper decisions either.

Whales, dolphins, porpoises – they all play an important role for the whole ecosystem. There are many technical solutions such as pumping CO2 into the seabeds, but the natural world already has an amazing – and dare I say free – solution for this: Whales are incredibly effective tackling climate change.

HOW SO?

Cetaceans in general do this in many different ways, but one of those is – believe it or not –

with their feces! We realized that whale poo is full of nutrients, with the main ones being iron, phosphorus and nitrogen – all vital for the growth of phytoplankton (algae and seaweed), and therefore oxygen production. Phytoplankton is needed for the growth of zooplankton, which in turn is essential for all marine life.

When species such as sperm whales, southern right whales or humpback whales migrate, the corridors they use turn green due to the large amounts of algae they have “grown”, which can even be seen on satellite images! It only makes sense then that whales are often named engineers or gardeners of the ocean. If you start a vegetable garden and you don’t fertilize it, your harvest will eventually diminish. You must give something back to your garden to keep your tomatoes and cabbages growing.

Whales are doing very similar work. However, we have killed most fertilizers in our oceans. Before

Harbour porpoise surfacing

Photo credit: Frank Zanderink

Tourists near Studio porpoise hearing and seeing porpoises

“WHALES ARE INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE AT TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE.”

commercial whaling, the number of blue whales was estimated to be at least 200.000-300.000.

Last year’s estimation showed that there are only about 5.000 to 6.000 individuals left. This is significant because one single blue whale excretes about 6.000-7.000 kg of poo every day!

INCREDIBLE NUMBERS! I AM GUESSING IT MIGHT BE QUITE DIFFICULT GETTING PEOPLE INTERESTED IN POO-RELATED SUBJECTS?

It’s true that it is not the easiest subject to bring on, but we have one thing on our side: Whales, dolphins and porpoises are beautiful animals, and most people love them. Calling ourselves “whale poo ambassadors” has also helped us gain quite a bit of attention for our cause.

What we are still lacking now is more research in order to produce hard figures needed to convince the media and politicians to care more about the

protection of these species.

HOW ESSENTIAL WOULD YOU SAY IS THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND WORKING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN ALL OF THIS?

It is very important! International networking and the exchange of knowledge has grown over the years. We collaborate with the UK organizations ORCA and MARINElife on ferry monitoring projects in the Mediterranean. We also work with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC). Both of our organizations are very much interested in the effects of whale poo and can’t believe that so far, there’s hardly any research being done by European scientists. The knowledge and understanding among students are growing, however, we still need to convince institutions and universities to spend time and money on this subject. This can take years.

Photo credit: Frank Zanderink

their faces. That gives us a lot of hope for the future!

Photo credit: Frank Zanderink

Selina van Burken at work, counting the algae cells

Photo credit: Frank Zanderink

Squeezing out the poo from a stranded porpoise at Utrecht University

One of the difficulties about doing research on whale poo is where to find it, so I came up with the idea to start a whale poo bank. The easiest way is to collect it from the intestines of stranded animals. Here in Utrecht our stock consists of porpoise, pilot whale and humpback whale poo. In the Azores sperm whale and beaked whale poo is gathered, whereas in England and Scotland it’s dolphin poo. So, the idea is that cetacean poo can be exchanged between different countries.

In the Netherlands we now have two students working on the effect of harbour porpoise poo on phytoplankton growth. Students in Great Britain and the USA also perform the research in the same way on other species, so we are able to trade data. So not only is it an exchange of poo but also an exchange of knowledge.

OTHER

THAN DOING LOTS OF RESEARCH, THE RUGVIN FOUNDATION IS ALSO HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH THE EDUCATION ASPECT. CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT?

Harbour porpoises are elusive animals, so quite difficult to spot. However, we have identified some hotspots in the Eastern Scheldt, where we see more than the average number of harbour porpoises. This is where we built the “Studio Porpoise”. It consists of a buoy with a hydrophone, sending radio signals to an information pillar ashore 24/7. On a nice sunny day in summer hundreds of people stand there listening to the echolocation of porpoises. That’s a great success and a wonderful way of getting people interested and educated.

The other thing we realized was that we needed a simple yet effective way of explaining the importance of whales and functioning ecosystems in the ocean. This is when we came up with the idea of an online whale poo simulation. In an interactive way, by either killing whales or protecting them, people can easily see how the marine environment changes from there.

In workshops and events, we also have interested people – children and adults – build up their own

marine ecosystem. Once we start bringing in ships, disturbances, fishing etc. they can clearly see the domino effects of the seas getting more and more empty.

But we always want to end in a positive way: What can be done to revive the oceans again? What can we do as individuals to help the ocean? If we fish less, disturb less, get rid of plastic and drift nets, etc. there will be healthier seas with more fish and whales, and consequently more whale poo. This means more plankton, higher absorption of carbon dioxide and more oxygen production!

It’s important to know that when it comes to oxygen production, phytoplankton in the oceans are at least as important as all the trees and forests in the world. Facing such an important challenge like climate change, it would be silly to not take this into consideration!

ABSOLUTELY. DURING YOUR DAY-TO-DAY WORK, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME CHALLENGES AND HARDSHIPS YOU DEAL WITH?

This goes for most NGOs – the financial hardships. Our main goal is to collect data and share knowledge with the general public. Despite this, a lot of work, time and effort goes into the fundraising of the projects, boat maintenance, travel costs for the volunteers, fuel, etc. At times, this can be a little overwhelming.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I AM SURE THERE ARE MANY MOMENTS THAT MAKE IT ALL WORTH IT AGAIN?

Thankfully, a lot of times. In general, I feel incredibly lucky that I get to do what I’m passionate about. Some of the nicest moments are when animals decide to come to our boat and say hello.

A great thing that’s also been happening for the third year in a row now is Expedition NEXT. They do a big event every year with about 100 NGOs and institutions for thousands of kids. These kids are always eager to learn and compared to short school visits we are able to answer any questions they may have. In the end the kids go away with

Credit: GRID-Arendal 2019

LASTLY, WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS FOR THE FOUNDATION AND WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO HELP?

Getting more and more people interested. Our Whale Poo Ambassadors program is growing in activities, volunteers and attention, and we see that as a positive outcome of our efforts. We are also working with WWF in order to make the Dutch government and policy makers more aware of our findings. So far, many declarations acknowledging the importance of whales for climate change and biodiversity have been signed, but then nothing happens. Clearly, there is still a lot of work to be done.

Other than that, if people start watching the whale poo simulation and share it among friends and family, then that’s already a success for us, because it means we are building knowledge and interest all around the world!

Linkedin @rugvin-foundation Facebook @rugvin Instagram @stichtingrugvin

Website www.rugvin.nl/english

Website www.whalepooseamulation.com

Photo credit: Frank Zanderink

Porpoise near Zierikzee Eastern Scheldt

PRITHVI SHARMA’S VOICE FOR NATURE

When Prithvi Sharma was nine years old, he saw a tiger for the first time. He knew the moment had changed his life. Now, at seventeen, he’s trying to tell the world about just how important it is to protect the natural world. We sat down with Prithvi to listen to his story, hear his opinions as a young conservationist, and learn more about what he’s doing to further his career in the field.

He recalls his experience in Ranthambore National Park when he was a child, driving around with his father, hoping to set his eyes on an elusive big cat. It took all day, but eventually, they got lucky. On the side of a hill, just off the road on which they were travelling, lay a Bengal Tiger — one of the biggest and most impressive predators in the world. They sat and watched as it looked around, flexed its muscles in huge, powerful stretches, and basked in the warm Indian sun. As one of the first encounters Prithvi had ever had with an animal as aweinspiring as this, it was the fateful moment that would push him toward his passion for wildlife conservation and advocacy.

To this day, Prithvi’s favourite animal is still the Bengal Tiger. He cannot help but passionately discuss these large cats. Ranthambore National Park now remains one of the places in the world that means the most to him– the perfect example of a carefully protected and abundant ecosystem that is teeming with all kinds of exotic species. It serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished through careful planning, meticulous research and intelligent application of conservation

YOUTH CONSERVATION

Photo credits: Prithvi Sharma

Photo credits: Prithvi Sharma

CONSERVATION CHAMPION

actions. Ranthambore has been very careful and intentional with these things over the years, including the introduction of various Legal Acts to protect the forests, designating certain areas as protected Tiger Reserves, and implementing task forces under the name “Project tiger,” which aims to carefully monitor the Tiger population there.

He also mentions his love for Giant Sea Turtles, a species that he has encountered multiple times in Chambal National Safari, another favourite place of his — a species wildly different in physiology, anatomy and environment, but fundamentally similar to the Bengal Tiger in its need for protection. He found himself heavily engaged with this species, going so far as to create a short video documentary about them and submitted it to the Indian Turtle Conservation Action Network.

Having spent only a few months in the UK since moving from Delhi to study in London, Prithvi says that there is a surprising lack of difference between the general sentiments both countries’

peoples have about wildlife protection. It seems, in his opinion, as if everybody is beginning to understand just how important it is to keep the natural world alive and thriving. This is certainly, in small part, due to modern education and the championing of conservationists around the world — photographers, documentary makers, teachers and nature specialists. He says that for as long as he can remember, his school education always included lessons about wildlife biology and nature preservation, which certainly had a profound effect on him. He maintains the importance of this type of education, and attributes his enthusiasm largely to being taught these things from such a young age. When discussing these experiences, a consensus was made that we who are surrounded by those that know and care about conservation are very lucky, and therefore have a responsibility to continue this line of thinking by educating those that may not have been exposed to such a comprehensive education.

This general positivity and understanding certainly seems to have been a recent development. the issues of poaching and hunting in India and its National Parks, as well as the changes in recent years that seem to have helped alleviate these issues somewhat: Prithvi remembers it to have been far bigger of an issue when he was younger. Recent legal changes alongside more diligent protection measures have helped reduce - though not eliminate - the number of poaching incidents. It seems that in certain areas, both geographically and academically, progress is being made in the right direction at last. While this may not be the case everywhere, it is certainly encouraging to hear it from someone who has been inspired by it.

Ever since he decided to pursue a life of wildlife conservation, Prithvi has been doing everything he can to engage and educate himself. Taking part in all manner of competitions, learning experiences, courses and certifications to further his passion, he is always actively increasing his understanding to higher, more advanced levels. Now, as a young student at the University of London studying

Conservation, he hopes that his professional studies will carry him into a career that lets him convey his beliefs to others, and hopes to profoundly impact the field.

He’s an avid photographer, too, like a great many that work in this field, and cites several members of his family, including his father, as personal inspirations for his work. When asked about his favourite work, he mentions a specific photo taken in Panna National Park of an Indian Leopard. He cites the patience and time necessary for a good photo as one of the things he loves the most about wildlife photography — it isn’t instant gratification to be able to capture an animal in its natural environment, and can sometimes take hours before a single sighting. But that chase, that waiting game, is worth it for the privilege of being able to view something beautiful through the camera lens in intricate and close-up detail — every spot on the fur, every feather in the plumage, every whisker on the face.

Being only 17, the topic of Youth in Conservation is one that Prithvi is very passionate about. He maintains that it is more important than ever for young, aspiring conservationists to pursue their passions and engage with any and all resources available to them. They should keep their natural curiosity piqued by staying up to date with the new and exciting projects happening all around the world right now. He implores this generation to take action— the future will need each and every one of those willing to help protect the natural world.

Prithvi’s story is one of many — a new generation of young conservationists, of wildlife enthusiasts, of ecologists and nature documentarians that are hoping to make the world a better place by following in the footsteps of those that inspired them. Above all, his passion sends a hopeful message that as long as people like him continue to keep stressing the importance of conservation to those who may argue otherwise, nature will always have a chance to endure thanks to its most stalwart of protectors.

BEING ONLY 17, THE TOPIC OF YOUTH IN CONSERVATION IS ONE THAT PRITHVI IS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT.

Photo credits: Prithvi Sharma

SAVING SEABIRDS

The San Francisco Bay is a crucial ecosystem that is home to almost 500 different species of birds, fish, animals, invertebrates and other amazing species. It is an important resting and feeding ground for millions of migratory birds. The birds serve as the hallmark of the ocean and are known for their iconic calls and vocalizations. Anyone who’s been to the seashore can attest to the beauty of these animals, and the cries of seagulls and pelicans flying in the sunset are an eye-watering sight for many beach lovers.

Beyond the beauty of these animals, the marine environment depends heavily on seabirds. If their numbers drastically drop, the entire marine ecosystem could be drastically affected. They act as a canary in the coal mine and serve as a reflection of their ecosystem. As a result, they are commonly referred to as indicator species. Any significant changes in the environment can be seen in their behavior, activity, and health. To protect and conserve all bird species, local conservation initiatives have been crucial. And if we want animal species to coexist with humans in future generations, local conservation efforts will be necessary.

Photo credit: International Bird Center

An oiled bird gets washed in Los Angeles, 2019

Photo credit: International Bird Center & Cheryl Reynolds

An oiled cormorant after an oil spill in Peru, January 2022

Photo credit: International Bird Center & Parque de las Leyenzas Zoo/AFP

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Local conservation initiatives have already benefited countless species. One of the most well-known aquatic birds that demonstrates the effectiveness of regional conservation is the California Brown Pelican. Many California residents witness these enormous birds flying in various formations whenever they are near the ocean. However, in the 1970s, due to the pesticide DDT, this bird, and numerous others began experiencing a severe population decline. The California Brown Pelican was designated an endangered species. The United States, with the then newly formed Environmental Protection Agency, would eventually ban the use of DDT because of its potential harm to the environment, while the provisions of the Endangered Species Act gave the seabird lawful protection.

Conservation organizations and individuals committed to protecting their marine ecosystems worked together to conduct citizen science studies and provide general support. Eventually, the California Brown Pelican was removed from the Endangered Species List. Although in this instance the threat was dissolved, there are still numerous hazards to aquatic birds, including harmful oil spills, deteriorating environmental conditions, climate change, bycatch, and human activities. If the efforts of conservation groups, individuals and government agencies working together can prove successful for the California Brown Pelican, the same method can be applied to help many others. This is where International Bird Rescue Centers come into play.

“THE CALIFORNIA BROWN PELICAN WAS REMOVED FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST.”

THE INTERNATIONAL BIRD RESCUE CENTER - FAIRFIELD LOCATION

Alice Berkner conceived the International Bird Rescue Center in 1971 after an oil spill in the San Francisco Bay Area affected thousands of birds. Since then, two other International Bird Rescue Centers have been opened. There are two California locations – Fairfield, which is in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, and a third in Anchorage, Alaska.

The center in Fairfield is particularly significant because of its proximity to U.C. Davis, with whom they collaborate closely. It also works closely with other wildlife rehabilitation centers like the Lindsay Wildlife Center and the Oiled Wildlife Care Network. Staff of the Fairfield Center work 365 days a year and is widely known for its effective and fast crisis response during disasters. These include calamities such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the 2000 Treasure Spill, and the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon. With many examples of oil spills harming seabirds, it is no surprise that the Dawn Soap vehicle – a name which directly refers to the American based dishwashing liquid, used to clean oil-soaked birds – is known by many people in the Bay Area.

RUSS CURTIS

Russ Curtis oversees communications and information technology at the International Bird Rescue Center in Fairfield. He has substantial firsthand knowledge of working with seabirds and has taken part in oil spill crises in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Arcata, and Cape Town, South Africa. He has devoted extensive time to the center and works closely with all the avian patients. In doing so, he has observed a lot of patterns in the number of birds brought to the facility for care in recent years. The most frequent issues these birds encounter is being caught in debris and environmental degradation. However, the newest most developing problem affecting seabirds is climate change.

According to Russ Curtis, climate change has negatively impacted the water’s clarity, making it more difficult for seabirds to forage. As a result, seabirds often dive deeper to forage, and this negatively affects their survival. Additionally, due to the decreased clarity, seabirds have a lot of work to identify dangers like debris that could trap them. Climate change has created a plethora of problems for seabirds.

Another issue of climate change is that fish are diving deeper to reach cooler waters, which makes it more difficult for seabirds to feed. This is demonstrated by the massive influx of Common Murres that hit the International Bird Rescue Center in 2020. Scientists believe that the bulk of these seabirds were starved because the coastal waters in Northern California have been warming up more than usual. The Common Murre, like many seabirds, is an important indicator species for ocean conservation.

The most common object seabirds are caught in are fishing lines. Given how popular fishing is in the San Francisco Bay Area, this is not surprising. There are many notable cases of this. In 2020 the “Patient of the Month” was a western gull. It

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was May 18th when a western gull entangled in fishing gear was observed at Half Moon Bay. With the assistance of California Department of Fish and Wildlife wardens, a local kayaker was able to catch and save the bird. Following a thorough stabilization period, the bird was moved to the International Bird Rescue located in Fairfield. This gull underwent critical surgery at the center which required the removal of a fishhook from its esophagus. The gull healed well and was released into the wild. And this is just one of the success stories of the rehabilitation of injured aquatic birds in the center.

NEW TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN SEABIRD REHABILITATION

Although the International Bird Rescue Center was initiated to rescue seabirds from oil leaks, it now has many technological advancements and benefits. Their shelters, for example, have the most advanced state-of-the-art amenities for injured seabirds. Many pelagic species, such as the common murre and puffins, have pelagic pools that mimic their natural habitat. After their rehabilitation phase, these pools help these birds ensure a smooth transfer back to the wild by simulating their native habitat.

Release of the last Mystery Goo

Photo credit: International Bird Center & Cheryl Reynolds

The 100 ft aviary is a new development for the Fairfield Center. The massive aviary was constructed by the center in 2007 with the help of grants from the Green Foundation and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It typically houses larger sea birds such as the California Brown Pelican and larger gull species. It includes a sizable pool where these birds may dive and swim. Large seabirds can fly and rest in these aviaries as a form of physical therapy to aid in the recovery of any wing wounds. These massive, amenity-filled aviaries are a great example of the center’s newer developments that help to replicate the seabirds’ natural habitat and prepare them for their return while also making them feel at home.

Another recent innovation is special containers for oil disposal that are used once all birds have been cleaned off so that the oil doesn’t enter the drains. Any oil contaminated water that is washed off birds is collected in big collection tanks, treated as hazardous waste and trucked off site for disposal to a state regulated site. Since one of the primary objectives of the International Bird Rescue Center is to assist seabirds who have been oil-covered, the center offers extensive training and education for volunteer workers. And even for those unable to help in Fairfield, guides are released to learn more about the rehabilitation

of oil-soaked seabirds. One important publication that dives into this is Rehabilitating Oiled Seabirds: A Field Manual.

Blue bands are another innovation worth mentioning. These blue bands are used to track rehabilitated California Brown Pelicans. Russ Curtis states that there have been roughly two thousand sightings of these in the wild. Since the fall of 2009, the International Bird Rescue Center has been utilizing blue bands on all California Brown Pelicans. These are then traced with an online database that reports the whereabouts of the birds, reaching from California to Mexico. There are banding programs for every rescued bird species so that their well-being and encounters can be monitored by the International Bird Rescue Center after being released to the wild. It enables data on returning patients, live sightings, breeding success, travel patterns, and life span.

The International Bird Rescue Center works with a myriad of bird species and many volunteers and keepers form strong bonds with these birds and enjoy caring for them. For Russ Curtis, the California Brown Pelicans are his favorite bird to work with. “Each one is unique and possesses a strong sense of curiosity.”

“LARGE SEABIRDS CAN FLY AND REST IN THESE AVIARIES AS A FORM OF PHYSICAL THERAPY TO AID IN THE RECOVERY OF ANY WING WOUNDS.”

Photo credit: International Bird Center

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING SEABIRDS

The International Bird Rescue Center accepts volunteers who want to assist with daily tasks and provide direct care for the birds. It’s a very popular program and its results are well known across the Bay Area. If you are interested, the official website gives a complete set of detailed instructions for potential volunteers to apply.

You can also make meaningful contributions in other ways. Adopting a seabird is one option, which is providing for the requirements of an aquatic bird of your choice. Donors have a wide variety of birds to provide for, from murres to wood ducks. One popular option is adopting a bundle of ducklings, where your donation provides for the needs of a small group of ducklings.

If you have found an injured or sick bird in the wild, the International Bird Rescue Center website has set instructions to follow. The website lists actions to take from various species ranging from lost ducklings to injured large aquatic birds. It includes contact information and directions for the closest center. You can explore the available resources for your region.

If you want to dive deeper into the rescue center, you can view livestreams of the various birds on the official website that offer a great virtual experience of the center. They also provide a great way for rehabilitators to monitor the progress of their avian patients.

There are numerous opportunities people can lend a hand to aquatic birds. Little measures, such as just cleaning up after yourself after a day at the beach or purchasing ocean and environmentally friendly items will add up. It takes a combined effort from everyone to maintain our marine ecosystem given the status of the globe today.

Instagram @intbirdrescue

Linkedin @internationalbirdrescue

Facebook @intbirdrescue

Website www.birdrescue.org

Photo credit: International Bird Rescue & Bart Selby

FOLLOWING A FLYWAY –CONSERVATION OF THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE

Vladimir Dobrev has always been passionate about nature. He grew up in a small village in Bulgaria’s Eastern Rhodope Mountains, and from a very young age — around the age of five — watched birds of prey dominating the sky with admiration. But among the many species, one caught his attention in particular: the Egyptian Vulture. Years later, when he became a volunteer and member of the Bulgarian Bird Protection Society (BSPB) BirdLife Bulgaria at the age of 14, he had a great opportunity to start exploring the wonderful world of birds of prey – especially vultures.

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“THEY ARE INCREDIBLE CREATURES, SUPER IMPORTANT FOR THE ECOSYSTEMS, THEY BRING MANY CULTURAL VALUES AND THEY ARE THE TRUE MASTERS OF THE SKY.

HENCE, I KNEW THAT THIS IS WHAT I WANTED TO DO, TO HELP THEM THRIVE AND SURVIVE.”

“I consider myself lucky because in the region where I grew up, vultures were the main focus group of birds of the BSPB. They are incredible creatures, super important for the ecosystems, they bring many cultural values and they are the true masters of the sky. Hence, I knew that this is what I wanted to do, to help them thrive and survive.”

As a volunteer, the young birder became an active participant in BSPB’s vulture protection activities in 2003, and in 2007 he became a member of BSPB’s Egyptian vulture protection team. In the time that has passed since then, he has been involved in many research activities: they started marking and sampling birds, collected information about the breeding parameters of Egyptian vultures, organized nature conservation work and gradually expanded their knowledge about the species. Thanks to persistent and thorough research, in 2011 they had extensive knowledge of the species. And so the BSPB launched its first LIFE project on the Egyptian vulture in the Balkans, where Vladimir was able to assist this outstanding conservation project as a Conservation Officer.

“Further ahead we understood that saving this migratory species required much more work elsewhere, not only in the breeding grounds in the Balkans. And so, in 2017, the BSPB kicked off

Tagging an Egyptian Vulture before release in Uzbekistan

Photo credit: Genriyetta Pulikova

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the largest Egyptian vulture conservation project on a global scale – The Egyptian vulture New LIFE project. As a Conservation Officer, I was deeply involved in this flyway scale project and I was coordinating some of the monitoring and conservation activities for the species across the Balkans, and participated in many other activities along the Eastern Mediterranean Flyway. In the meantime, I had a chance to work in Uzbekistan and with local experts we started an idea which later on became to be what is now known as the Central Asian Vultures project – developing research and conservation actions for vultures, building capacity and partnership across the Central Asian Flyway. The Egyptian vulture became our flag species. Unlike the rest of the region, vultures are almost unstudied in Central Asia and we are now trying to replicate best practices from elsewhere to try and help central Asian vultures.”

ABOUT MIGRATORY BIRD SPECIES AND THE DANGERS THEY FACE

The work carried out by Vladimir and the whole project team was of outstanding importance, since the population of the Egyptian vulture was seriously threatened in Eastern Europe and steeply declining in the last several decades. The reason for this is primarily to be found in humans: they cause many dangers and problems for the birds during migration. Poisoning was the biggest problem, but the illegal killing of birds was and still is a serious threat to all predatory species, especially in the Middle East and Africa. But, we can also not ignore the fact that the constructions

Vladimir tags an Egyptian Vulture in Uzbekistan

Photo credit: Genriyetta Pulikova

of human-made infrastructure and energy production systems are causing more and more diverse threats to the world’s birds.

Saving migratory species is not an easy task. With enormous effort, a species can be protected in either its breeding or wintering areas, but those efforts come to nothing if the carefully protected birds then vanish during migration in other parts of the world. On the other hand, through the fact that Vladimir’s group managed to extend the defense forces to three continents, they were able to show that even species that migrate around the world can be saved.

AN AMAZING BIRD: THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE’S STORY

The Egyptian Vulture, Europe’s smallest and only long-distance migratory vulture, is a typical example of a threatened migratory species: in eastern Europe, the population plummeted from >600 pairs in the 1980s to ~60 pairs in 2018, with many threats along the entire flyway from Europe via the Middle East to Africa contributing to the decline.

They are a globally endangered species, included in the IUCN Red List as “Endangered”. Its global population is estimated at 18.000 - 54.000 individuals with a steady negative tendency. It is strictly protected by the Bern and Bon International Conventions, as well as by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In the past, the Egyptian vulture was wide-spread throughout the Balkans but

The Egyptian Vulture

Photo credit: Svetoslav Cvetanov

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today, the Balkan Peninsula is home to less than 70 pairs.

Although the data is sad in itself, Vladimir also highlights two things that make the Egyptian vulture special for conservation attention: “The Egyptian vulture is very special in a way. It’s the only true migratory vulture species, it’s globally endangered, and it’s embedded in the cultures and beliefs of many people from around Europe, Asia and Africa. Because it’s a migratory species it naturally faces more threats compared to other vulture species for several reasons – (1) different subpopulation of the species use different migration routes and some of them fly more than 5500 km between the wintering and breeding grounds which exposes them to various threats, (2) like other vulture species they are especially sensitive to poisoning and this has caused huge declines in some areas over the last 40-50 years. As a result, saving the Egyptian vulture as a flagship species can help save many other species along its flyways.”

THE RESULTS ARE CONVINCING

In order to make species protection work even more effective, the Egyptian Vulture New LIFE Project was launched in July 2017. The aim of this international collaboration is to guarantee the success of two main efforts: to achieve continuous population growth in the Balkan breeding grounds and to improve the conservation environment along the flyway and wintering grounds by minimizing the loss of migratory birds, especially mature individuals.

Led by conservationists from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds/BirdLife Bulgaria, the project team reduced the risk of poisoning, electrocution, and direct persecution in 14 countries along the flyway and initiated a species reinforcement program in the Balkans by releasing captive-bred individuals donated by the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). As a consequence of this work, the annual mortality rate of Egyptian Vultures decreased by 2% for adult birds and by 9% for juveniles. Although these changes seem minuscule, they

have had an encouraging effect: since 2018, the Egyptian vulture population in the Balkans has not decreased further but remained stable at around 50 breeding pairs.

According to Vladimir, this project is the biggest Egyptian vulture conservation initiative across the range of the species. “In 2015, the BSPB managed to prepare the Flyway Action plan for the species which was the baseline to develop the project and to build the partnerships and connections to countries along the Eastern Mediterranean Flyway. The project itself was incredibly ambitious, yet everyone involved in it was absolutely amazing. The work that we did between 2017 and 2022 is an example of successful collaboration on a flyway scale and a reminder to everyone that everything is possible when people unite and stand together to protect a species. Furthermore, the project is also an inspiration for others to follow this example and to demonstrate that migratory species can only be preserved with international collaboration.”

In parallel, Vladimir and a small team in Central Asia started developing a project with a similar structure and purpose from scratch – the Central Asian Vultures project – that they kicked off in 2021. In a region where nearly nothing was known about vultures, they decided to use the Egyptian Vulture as their flagship species to initiate research, based on practices that had been used elsewhere. “We tagged the first Egyptian Vulture in 2021. Then in 2022 we started building collaborations, and a partner from Kazakhstan joined in. We managed to tag 11 more birds in both countries,” says Vladimir. They described the migration route of the Egyptian Vulture in Central Asia for the first time, and they found the largest congregation sites, where they are wintering, for the species in Central Asia and India. “It’s the story and project that inspire me most,” Vladimir adds, “because it’s very personal. We literally started from scratch, with nothing and nobody around. And now neighboring countries want to partner with us, and we are getting international attention because of our findings.”

Yana Nikolova

All conservation measures that they develop for the Egyptian vulture within the Egyptian vulture New LIFE are based on solid data that they gather for the demographics of the species and the threats in the different regions of the flyway where the Egyptian vulture New LIFE was operating. However, the work of Vladimir’s team is not easy: they have to react to many environmental effects, and adapt to many unexpected events – moreover, the protection measures to be developed can differ greatly from one area to another. “For example, we supplement some pairs in the Balkans because they lack food or there is a risk of poisoning. We guard some of the vulnerable nests, and we started a restocking program for the species in the Balkans because our prediction models demonstrated that the population will vanish if we don’t start releasing birds. Likewise, we implemented targeted actions in the Middle East to tackle illegal killing, we started insulation of power lines across the flyway in the bottle necks for the species, etc. On the contrary, in Central Asia and the Central Asian Vultures project we are still at a stage of collecting and analyzing data in order to build successful conservation strategies.”

But seeing the results and listening to Vladimir’s experiences, a very special feeling will come over you: a feeling of happiness, full of hope and faith, which restores trust in nature conservation. It is no wonder that Vladimir sees the biggest strength of

the project primarily in its participants: „I am most proud of the people I work with, the collaborations we are building across the three continents and the privilege to be part of all this.”

ADDRESS AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE

Nature conservation work can be truly successful if not only the statistical indicators start to grow, but also the emotional aspects of species protection - such as recognizing the values inherent in their existence and understanding the importance of their protection. To this end, several campaigns were launched: “A Mile for the Egyptian Vulture” and “Fly with the Vulture”. These campaigns have helped a lot in the transfer of knowledge about Egyptian vultures.

“These campaigns were the main communication pillars in the Egyptian vulture New LIFE project to get to as many people as possible and to pass on the message how amazing these birds are and how important it is to save them.” ‘A Mile for the Egyptian Vulture’ used main sport events along the Eastern Mediterranean Flyway – marathons, where we compare the efforts that birds make to migrate to athletes who run marathons, and to promote the conservation of the species. This is how we participated in the big marathon in Ethiopia, and reached thousands of people who ran under the flag of the Egyptian vulture. ‘Fly with the Vulture’ was targeting main transport hubs along the flyway – airports and other important

Egyptian Vulture from the restocking program

Photo credit:

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hubs – where we promoted the conservation of the species using multimedia and different messages to reach as many people as possible.”

Vladimir has accompanied the struggle to save Egyptian vultures for the past two decades and is connected to the project in many ways.

In the Egyptian vulture New LIFE project he was a Conservation Officer responsible for the implementation of the project activities in the Balkans and he was assisting colleagues along the flyway. “It was very intensive work, with a lot of travel and many challenges, but it was also a great experience and an opportunity to work with different people on various tasks across three continents. I will never forget the migration counts in Turkey and Egypt, the releases of Egyptian vultures in Bulgaria, and the amazing moments from the life of the Egyptian vulture that we have witnessed.”

In the Central Asian Vultures Project he was a Project Coordinator and he was responsible for building capacity in the project partners, the tagging of birds, fundraising and presenting results in front of the public. “My best memories are related to tagging the first Egyptian vultures in Central Asia and seeing them migrating and revealing the unknown migratory routes in this part of the range of the species.”

Vladimir thinks that communication is extremely

important. Most of all, translating the importance of the vultures and their work with them to the language of people who have never heard of vultures, to children, and to stakeholders who are in reality responsible for the conservation of this species. “I think people can change and understand, but they need to hear, see, and touch stories, and they need to be involved. This is when they start to understand the importance of our work. I work with people a lot, and I have seen people becoming very interested in our work many times when they actually hear the stories and understand exactly what we do. This is what I do in the field too, speaking to people, explaining.”

It is worth visiting the project’s website, where many educational materials and games are available - from the smallest to the largest. According to Vladimir, protecting and rescuing species, and respecting and appreciating the world around us is a common cause for all of us. We all have the opportunity to do our part: “There is always a way to help, even people who are far away can help by simply sharing our work with friends and with others, by spreading the word. Otherwise, there are a number of opportunities for volunteers to take part in the action. ”It is therefore worthwhile to inform ourselves and to monitor the changes in our environment and to take part in the prevention of dangers, no matter how big they may be.

The Central Asian Vultures Project Team

Photo credit: Alyona Kaptyonkina

Monitoring Egyptian Vultures in Uzbekistan

Website www.lifeneophron.eu

Photo credit: Genriyetta Pulikova

Website rebeccafurunas.com

YEARS AGO I WAS STANDING AT THE EDGE OF A MEADOW, LOCKING EYES WITH A GREAT GREY OWL. THAT’S WHERE I FOUND A DEEPER PURPOSE AND FROM THAT DAY I’VE BEEN PORTRAYING THE SOULS OF THE WILD THROUGH MY CAMERA, TELLING THEIR STORY.

My main focus is the Swedish forest and my hope is for my work to engage and inspire others to protect nature and this amazing planet we live on, with such beautiful places to discover and souls to connect with.

Nature holds magic. It’s in the deep forests, vast mires, wild creeks and rough mountains. It’s in the boulders who help raise a new generation of wolves and lynx and it’s in the strong pines who hold the nest of the golden eagle. It’s in old cavities in trees where various birds nest and in dead wood that’s essential for lichens, fungus and insects.

It’s everywhere if you’re curious enough to explore it.

All of this is life, an ecosystem which needs all its components to thrive. Sadly, it’s been taken away piece by piece by humans, now let it be our mission to save and restore it! Let’s start by telling our stories and invite people in, to the magic nature beholds.

Instagram @rebeccafurunas

Website rebeccafurunas.com

CARBON KAPTURE

Climate change is perhaps the biggest crisis facing the world today. The warming atmosphere caused by relentless human activities is having an increasingly harmful impact on the environment and humans every year. With this becoming a global reality, there is a dire need for effective and sustainable solutions to combat climate change. These can range from reforestation and coral nurseries to solar farms and eco-friendly cars. But sometimes solutions can come from a source right in front of us, one that often gets overlooked. Kelp forests are incredibly efficient at absorbing carbon, much more so than land-based plants, and yet they receive very little attention from us. Now, a company called Carbon Kapture is working to change this in a world-first initiative to “reforest” the ocean on a global scale. We speak to Howard Gunstock, one of the founders of Carbon Kapture, about this company’s approach to combating climate change and how kelp could be vital in the fight against climate change.

Kelp and other types of seaweed are, for all intents and purposes, the plants of the ocean. Kelp in particular forms dense forests in many coastal seas, creating ecosystems that are just as diverse and productive as any rainforest on land. In the kelp forests that grow along the coasts surrounding Cape Town and Cape Point in South Africa, for example, close to 15 000 species have been recorded and new ones are being discovered every year. Kelp forests provide a safe sheltered habitat for many species and many fish use them as nurseries. Kelp also protects coastlines around the world from storm surges and powerful waves, protecting human communities on the coasts as well as marine life. They also support the livelihoods of many people, either through direct harvesting of seaweed in many countries, through protecting key fish stocks or tourism benefits via dive operators. Perhaps most crucially, kelp and other marine plants are highly effective at sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. In fact, every second breath of oxygen we breathe in is produced by plants in the ocean (including kelp). This makes conserving kelp and other seaweeds vital in the fight against climate change.

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Reforestation, the replanting of forests on land to restore ecosystems and combat climate change, has gained significant momentum across the globe. But while it is an important initiative, it is limited in its ability to combat climate change. Trees grow slowly and only become effective at filtering carbon out of the atmosphere once they are around 10-40 years old. In contrast, kelp grows at a rapid rate and is 30 times faster than trees at extracting carbon from the atmosphere. Yet, there is very little effort to “reforest” kelp despite the fact that vast tracts of kelp forests have been lost around the world.

It was this fact that brought the two founders of Carbon Kapture together and ultimately led to the creation of this organization. Howard Gunstock, prior to 2019, worked as a corporate strategist (specifically, strategic learning and development) for a number of multinational companies across the globe, dealing with systemic and organizational change. In 2019, Howard dealt with a number of personal and professional events in his life that led to him shifting his career towards sustainability and ocean conservation. During a period of career wanderlust, he started learning as much as he could about these topics as well as attending meetings for Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and other organizations. Most notably, he attended a film screening for ‘The Race is On: Secrets and Solutions of Climate’. During the Q & A session after the film, a man named David Walker-Nix (Dave) pointed out the effectiveness of kelp at absorbing carbon and asked why more was not being done to restore kelp forests. This remark caught Howards attention and it led to the two men discussing it further after the screening. From that discussion, the idea and motivation for Carbon Kapture were born.

As co-founders, Howard and Dave both bring different skill sets to the table. Howard’s background is vital when it comes to communicating with various shareholders and businesses, bringing people to the table and trying to work out the most effective way forward. Dave is the Chief Technical Officer at Carbon Kapture, making sure that everything runs effectively from an operational perspective. He is behind the innovations that make what Carbon Kapture does possible.

Carbon Kapture is focused on creating partnerships with existing seaweed and shellfish farms who already have existing licenses. Seaweed farming is not a new concept by far (it has been done for hundreds of years), but farming seaweed and other marine life (like fish and shellfish) in a way that helps to mitigate the effects of climate change had not previously been done before. Creating seaweed farms amongst shellfish farms brings significant benefits for the farmers by improving the local ecosystem, which in turn produces higher quality shellfish. The customers grow the kelp, which absorbs vast amounts of carbon as it grows. The seaweed is then harvested and then dried, trapping the carbon in a process called pyrolysis and becoming biochar. Once this process is complete, the biochar is sold to farmers who use it as fertilizer. This dramatically improves the soil’s ability to lock up carbon, as well as its resistance to flooding and drought . The biochar is also a highly effective fertilizer, improving the soil fertility for both growing crops and pasture for livestock. It has even been proven that the methane output of cows is significantly reduced if they feed on grass fertilized by seaweed. Added to that, it immobilizes heavy metals and other harmful pollutants in the soil. Everything has value, nothing is wasted and the environment and local community benefits. It is a circular economy, or as Howard likes to call it, “circular ecology”.

Carbon Kapture currently works with a number of farms spread around the coasts of the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal. Their aim is to create a global network, and the world’s largest network, of seaweed farms by 2030 that naturally removes carbon from our atmosphere. By 2030, they also aim to have planted a million hectares of seaweed. The organization has already achieved significant attention for the work that it has been doing. Perhaps the most noteworthy is being nominated for an Earthshot Prize by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.

In this line of work, people like Howard and Dave are faced with some of the most sobering and shocking environmental news from around the world. In light of that, it is very difficult to hold onto hope. But it is possible. Howard noted how much the world has changed since the Industrial Revolution and how humanity has changed with it; “We have educated ourselves so rapidly, but our behaviors are that of a child,” but we can change our behavior if we start by adopting small changes in our lives, which can still make a big difference. This could be supporting local and eco-friendly businesses, buying second-hand clothes, saving water or picking up trash. If you start with small changes, these can then lead into a bigger change or motion. In terms of Carbon Kapture, people can sponsor a rope of seaweed or simply spread the word about it and other businesses like it.

Carbon Kapture is for all intents and purposes on the front lines of climate change. Their innovative ideas and solutions have had a significant impact in a very short space of time and they have great potential for the future as well. The world is in dire trouble, there is no getting around that fact. In light of this, Howard emphasized how important it is to cherish what we have. This can in turn serve as a motivation to keep on looking for new ideas. If more people come up with more ideas like Carbon Kapture’s then there could be a viable way forward.

• You can spot an Oceanic Whitetip by their stocky build and iconic white tips on their dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins.

• They’re opportunistic feeders, mainly focusing their time on bony fish and cephalopods, like squid. However, their diet also extends to large fish like tuna and marlin.

• The Oceanic Whitetip have few offspring (as little as two to three pups in a litter) and don’t reach sexual maturity until around seven years. They also inhabit remote parts of the open ocean, making them difficult for researchers to study.

ENDANGERED SPECIES: THE OCEANIC WHITETIP SHARK

ENDANGERMENT HISTORY AND POPULATION DECLINE

In 1969 the Oceanic Whitetip Shark was considered one of the most abundant 100-pound large animals on Earth at the time.

Over 50 years later, the shores of Cat Island in the Bahamas tell a different story. Marine biologist Edd Brooks and a team of researchers have been tracking and tagging whitetips in this region since 2010 in order to better understand their life cycle and behavior. Although Cat Island is considered one of the most reliable places to find large groups of whitetips, Brooks and the research team approximated the population numbers to be as little as 300.

This drastic drop in population numbers has pushed the oceanic whitetip to “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List as of 2019.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

With an estimated population decline of 93% between 1995 and 2010, a buildup of protective measures has been implemented for the oceanic whitetip shark internationally in an effort to save the species from extinction. These include:

• A retention prohibition measures in every major tuna Regional Fishery Management Organization (RFMO)

• Its listing in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)

• Its listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) as a threatened species.

• The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, a provision that bans the buying and selling of shark fins in the U.S.

Given the life cycle, reproductive behavior, and difficulty in studying the Oceanic Whitetip, it will take more than protective measures to help with population recovery. This includes fostering international cooperation for comprehensive conservation strategies, advocating for conservation policies, intensifying research and monitoring efforts to better understand the species, raising public awareness, promoting sustainable fishing practices, supporting alternative livelihoods for affected communities, and utilizing technological advancements for monitoring and enforcement.

Despite the challenges, such concerted efforts will help safeguard Oceanic Whitetips and their crucial role as top predators in marine ecosystems.

SHORT LIST OF FACTS

Species: Carcharhinus longimanus

Genus: Carcharhinus

Weight: Average weight ranges from 90 to 160 kg (200 to 350 lbs)

Length: Typically grows between 2.5 to 3.5 meters (8 to 11.5 feet)

Biogeographical Region: Found in tropical and warm temperate seas worldwide, particularly in open ocean habitats

IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered (CR)

RÍOS TO

RIVERS A FREE-FLOW OF EXCHANGE FOR HEALTHY RIVERS, PEOPLE, AND COMMUNITIES

The participants of Paddle Tribal Waters 2022

Photo credit: PTW Group Edit

Ríos to Rivers is a charity on a mission to protect the world’s vulnerable river systems and the communities that steward them for the benefit of us all. Weston Boyles, Founder and Executive Director of the Ríos to Rivers programmes explains how they support young people from indigenous communities to take joy and protect their home, becoming the nature guardians and conservationists the world needs.

The first cohort of Paddle Tribal Waters gather their kayaks into a circular formation as they paddle the

Klamath River near Pecwan Village.

Photo credit: Rush Sturges

SOUTH AMERICA

In 2011, before Ríos to Rivers, Weston and his friends set off to run the Baker River, in Southern Chile. At the time, the proposed HidroAysén project planned to put two dams along Chile’s most voluminous river. Weston set off to run the river before it became impossible and was determined to meet the residents and Gauchos who live along its banks. Upon meeting a young man from a local kayak club the two groups joined to paddle the river together. Weston and his group documented the journey on film, capturing the young people’s adventure and love of the river. During this time it became apparent that the young members of the kayak club had never seen a dam before and had no idea how radically changed their home would be if the HidroAysén project went ahead. This is where Ríos to Rivers first sprung. The idea was an exchange programme to bring young people from unaffected river basins to those which had already been dammed. Weston described it as a “jump in a time machine to see the future of what could happen to their basins.” This first exchange took those young people from the Baker River to the Grand Canyon in the USA, where the beautiful Glen Canyon was lost to hydroelectric dams a long time ago. They learnt about history, ecology, activism and advocacy that they took back to their own community. Ríos to Rivers had begun and continued to grow as more projects, more communities and more exchanges happened every year.

Ríos to Rivers tackles climate change, habitat decline, and the continued marginalisation of indigenous communities by empowering young people with the skills, knowledge and platform

to protect their rivers. As Weston puts it - “Our mission is to inspire the next generation of river stewards.”

JOY ON THE RIVER

To feel that connection to the river, to nature, one has to get out there in it, or in this case, on it. Ríos to Rivers trains groups of indigenous youth how to paddle, kayak, raft and navigate their rivers from Southern Chile to the USA. Spending time on the water, they also learn film-making, nature stewardship and advocacy. Ríos to Rivers true success are the many alumni who continue to advocate, protect and enjoy their rivers by forming their own water sports clubs. From the charity’s origins in Chile, an all-women’s rafting club in the Biobío River Basin to the alumni founded Mukluks paddle club in the USA’s Klamath basin. Ríos to Rivers supports these clubs with grant writing, equipment and strategy planning so they can grow the next generation of river advocates.

Nature conservation is a global endeavour but it is the people and communities on the ground who are the champions. It is the tireless work of people protecting the ecosystems of their homes that ensure the future of vulnerable species and habitat. Supporting and empowering indigenous communities goes hand in hand with conservation, one cannot be successful without the other. The young people joining the Ríos to Rivers programmes and the alumni building new projects and clubs are a testament to this.

But, it’s easy to miss how special the places nearest to us are, the places we encounter every day. Weston explains how many of the young people Ríos to Rivers works with feel the same way. Through globalism forces and fear-ofmissing-out induced by social media platforms young people feel they are isolated from the world.

“THEY (THE YOUNG PARTICIPANTS) SEE INSTAGRAM, THEY SEE THE TELEVISION AND THEY BELIEVE IN THEIR MINDS THAT WHERE THEY’RE FROM IS BORING. THEY LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND THEY WOULD PREFER TO LIVE IN THE CITY. AND WHAT’S SAD ABOUT THAT IS THEN YOU LOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEEP IDENTITY AND CONNECTION TO THEIR RIVERS. SO WHEN SOMEBODY HAS PRIDE FOR A PLACE AND SAYS “I LOVE MY RIVER!”, I LOVE WHERE I’M FROM, AND I CARE DEEPLY ABOUT IT ENOUGH TO PROTECT IT, THAT’S THE KEY TO PROTECTING SOMEPLACE ANYWHERE IN WORLD.”

But joy, activism, and pride for the river and their home is key to the success of local kayak groups. Ríos to Rivers has seen how many young people have grown to love their river, where they are from, and how that is the key to protecting the amazing places in the world. As Weston puts it: “If you have a chance to enjoy a river and to kayak it or raft it and find a love for rivers and water through sport and through joy, then that is a wonderful entrance into thinking about these more complex issues that oftentimes can turn people away.”

DAMN THE DAMS

Working to help unite communities, Ríos to Rivers takes on the fight against dam proposals and expansions across the world. Whilst considered by many a plausible green energy solution in hydropowers and drought defence as reservoirs, they can do far more harm than good. The flooding caused by dams has destroyed communities up and down the length of the river. There are villages and settlements that are completely submerged

Photo credits: Paul Wilson

SOUTH AMERICA

by the new reservoir, and communities are forcibly displaced with insufficient support. But, it doesn’t stop there. Communities that once depended on the free flowing river for transport are cut off, fisheries depleted, and poor water quality from the slowed flow of the river can make thriving river valleys uninhabitable. In 2017, the International Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) estimated that around 80 million people have been displaced by dam projects worldwide, with people from impoverished and marginalised backgrounds accounting for the majority of those displaced. It is the young people that join Ríos to Rivers programmes who are facing the same threat.

It is not just the people that see their home transformed. Damming river systems has a tremendous impact on the flora and fauna of the basin. Species depend on a free flowing river for movement, dispersion, water quality and nutrients. In the Klamath River, USA, the salmon population has almost died out. For nearly 100 years salmon have been blocked from their spawning grounds by the dam, and the population has been in free fall since. This pattern of disruption to habitat appears again and again in dammed river systems from salmon in North America to river dolphins in South-East Asia.

Dams may destroy habitats, prevent migration and displace communities but some sacrifices have to be made to develop more clean energy; Sadly hydroelectric dams don’t give us that either. Relatively little known to the public, the sustainable credentials of hydroelectricity have long been in question. Weston explains that dams flood huge areas of land, submerging organic matter in an oxygen deficient environment where they decompose and release methane. Methane being 86 times more impactful than CO2 to climate change over a 20-year period. Which Weston says is not to be accounted for by the UN and government plans for net-zero. Evidence from peer-reviewed studies is piling up showing how the building of man-made reservoirs are a highly underappreciated contribution to climate change, with one study, published in BioScience in 2016, estimating the total contribution of

greenhouse gases from reservoirs estimated the entire nation of Canada.

STRONGER TOGETHER

Sadly, Weston has seen first hand how companies work to divide communities in order to build more dams on indigenous land. As these communities often become divided, and are fed misinformation, it is more difficult to effectively resist and the dam planning is pushed through. It is when communities don’t feel isolated in the fight, when a resilient and supported community

“WE REALLY SEE THAT WHEN COMMUNITIES DON’T FEEL ALONE, WHEN THEY SEE THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES FIGHTING THESE SAME FIGHTS, THAT THEIR REASON FOR PROTECTING THEIR RIVERS ARE VALID, THAT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS THAT DON’T INCLUDE DAMS, THERE’S OTHER SOLUTIONS. ALL THOSE THINGS CAN ADD UP TO HAVING A RESILIENT COMMUNITY THAT CAN SAY NO,” SAYS WESTON.

stands up to extractive industries, they are strongest. They see through the untrue myth of progress sold to them.

The exchange programmes at the core of Ríos to Rivers are the remedies for the propaganda that seeks to divide communities. Whilst extractive industries seek to muddy the waters, the exchange programme brings young people together. Some have seen their river systems transformed by dam projects, others have only ever seen their river dammed, and others are seeing proposals submitted on their rivers for the first time. They share knowledge, experience and skills that help all of them fight for free flowing rivers.

Weston says: “I really find myself in the backdrop oftentimes”, and his approach as a facilitator over leader is emulated in the organisation. The charity’s films, blogs and messaging come directly from the young participants and community leaders themselves.

Although the mission may seem daunting, success has been found. The world’s largest dam removal project, the Klamath River will once again flow freely from source to ocean. To mark this historic event, the Maqlaqs Paddle club and Ríos to Rivers have teamed up as a group of young indigenous people from the Klamath River Basin are currently preparing for the first ever modern descent of the Klamath River by kayak. Later this year, once the dam removal is completed, the group will take the journey from Oregon and out through North California, travelling on a route steeped in cultural history to reconnect with their roots and the river.

Ríos to Rivers is running with this moment at Klamath and Weston plans for the charity to expand into more river basins in the USA, with work already underway to remove dams from the Snake River that flows in the Columbia River. As well as increasing the river basins Ríos to Rivers work in, they are creating music videos and films made by and starring the indigenous young people working with the charity.

Stepping beyond specific river systems, Ríos to Rivers is making a global call for the UN to take dams out of the Paris agreement. Countries around the world are pushing towards renewable, clean energy production. Unfortunately, many are turning to hydroelectric power as a solution. Ríos to Rivers is calling everyone to sign their Undam the UN petition and they will continue to

support indigenous young people to have their voices heard, as they did at COP28 and COP27 before.

For anyone wanting to hear first hand from Ríos to Rivers and the young people participating in the projects I would highly encourage you to view the videos found at RíostoRivers.org. You can watch the music video made by the Amazonian Rivers Initiative program students now. If you would like to support Ríos to Rivers in their campaign to protect free flowing rivers, you can sign their petition and follow for updates on their social media.

Instagram @riostorivers

Linkedin @riostorivers

Facebook @RiosToRivers

Website www.riostorivers.org

Photo credit: Rush Sturges

COLOFON

DIRECTOR

Manon Verijdt

ART DIRECTOR

Arina van Londen

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Mirjam May

Arina van Londen

CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER

Tobias van Krieken

ILLUSTRATOR

Emma Ritzen

Lara Reden

Renée Balsters

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

Nathan Turnbull

Boglárka Amrein

Patrizia Baldi

Callum Evans

Will Westwood

Marc Kranendonk

Thijs Montalvo

SOCIAL MEDIA

Mira de Winter

CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EDITION

Rebecca Furunäs, Vladimir Dobrev, Vidar Cabrera

Russ Curtis, Frank Zanderink, Howard Gunstock

Weston Boyles, Benson Kanyembo

Prithvi Sharma

and thank to all contributing photographers! CONTACT DETAILS UBUNTU MAGAZINE partnerships@ubuntumagazine.com | advertising@ubuntumagazine.com www.ubuntumagazine.com