Ubuntu Magazine, summer 2025

TETHYS

A Rare Sanctuary in the Open Seas: The Pelagos Sanctuary for Whales and Dolphins

SENSING CLUES

Empowering Conservation with Smart Data Valkenburg

THE PANGOLIN PROJECT

Protecting the Giant Pangolin

COCORA VALLEY

Colombia’s Enchanted Valley Grapples with the Double-Edged Sword of Nature

Transform Your Perspective on Nature. Follow Ubuntu Magazine’s Social Channels!

Cover photo credits: Mike Brampton

LinkedIn

Core Skills, Real Lessons 16

DOCUMENTARY - SNOW LEOPARD SISTERS

A New Documentary Unveils the Power of Women-Led Conservation Efforts in Nepal 28 SENSING CLUES

Empowering Conservation with Smart Data

Protecting the Giant Pangolin

INTERACTIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS: CLICK TO JUMP TO ARTICLES INSTANTLY!

54

COCORA VALLEY

Colombia’s Enchanted Valley Grapples with the Double-Edged Sword of Nature

Tourism

74 64 STARGAZER

Mike Brampton

TETHYS - GIUSEPPE

NOTARBARTOLO DI SCIARA

A Rare Sanctuary in the Open Seas

84 ENDANGERED SPECIES

Mountain bongo

90 NATUCATE / CONSCIOUS EXPLORER

Opening our Senses to the Richness of Life’s Oldest Rhythms

100 HIMALAYAN NATURE

Rhinos, Roots & Resilience

INTRODUCTION

In 2007, I visited the island of Mauritius on a family holiday. Given the island’s lush landscapes and tropical beauty, we explored many of its environments, including a wildlife park home to giant tortoises. I remember hand-feeding them— watching them slowly chow down lettuce—and learning about their history. What I learned was that none of the tortoises here were native to Mauritius. The island’s endemic species, like the domed Mauritius giant tortoise, had gone extinct in the 18th century. As a ten-year-old at the time, I didn’t fully grasp the scale of that loss, but it left an impression. It was one of the first moments I began to understand how human actions could leave such a permanent mark on the natural world.

Growing up, I’ve always had an interest in animals and wildlife. I lived in the countryside surrounded by nature and spent most of my days outside when I could. On the days spent indoors, I watched, read, and learned from the likes of National Geographic and David Attenborough. Both taught me many lessons—and one glaring reality: while most of us are aligned on the idea that the Earth is something we share and coexist in, the unfortunate truth is that not everyone is aware of our impact and what sustainable coexistence looks like.

It is my responsibility as a writer to share messages of hope and to uplift the voices that are working hard to provide real change. Now, more than ever, it’s easy to be drawn into negativity and despair. We are one TV channel, article, or social media post away from filling our days with anxiety and sadness about current affairs. Although it is important to recognize that side of reality, there’s another often overlooked side—one full of quiet, persistent hope.

Ubuntu reminds me that this isn’t a reason to feel hopeless. Every piece I’ve written—from endangered species to African wild dogs in Botswana—has deepened my belief that individual action can produce global shifts. We often underestimate our impact because it’s not instantly visible, but I firmly believe those working in conservation constantly demonstrate that great effort, courage, and strong will can prove otherwise.

I don’t write stories to make myself feel like I am a contributor to this shifting worldview. I do it because there are plenty of people out there doing the walking as much as the talking, and I think it’s important for them to know we are listening. When I learn that there is an unarmed, all-female ranger team drawn from local communities in South Africa, working around the clock to prevent rhino poaching, the least I can do is bring attention to it. They lead by example, through action and acceptance of the risk, because it’s worth fighting for.

As a writer for this magazine, I hope readers come to see that while we may often feel uncertain about the future and unsettled by turbulent change, there is good being done. Every effort, small or large, pushes the conservation line forward. From donating to a rehab shelter, to planting a tree, fighting poaching on a nature reserve—all actions matter. I hope the stories we tell inspire people to not only hope for change, but work for it.

- Marc Kranendonk Journalist Ubuntu Magazine

THEORY VS. PRACTICE

PERSONAL INSIGHTS FROM A WILDERNESS GUIDE

COURSE

Written by Joosje Heringa

ACTION!

With four fellow students, we’re driving from Saderness, Spain, to Andorra, where we’ll conclude the core module of our wilderness guiding course. For many of us, this is the most exciting and also the most ‘scary’ part. Where in the past weeks we’ve been trained in core skills like navigation, wilderness first aid, leadership, and route planning, now we’ll put everything to the test—whatever that ends up meaning.

Right now, though, my nerves are numbed by the beauty around me. The landscape has fully turned orange, red, and yellow. Autumn has arrived in all kinds of colors, transforming the trees that make themselves ready for winter. It’s very different from the Mediterranean evergreen forests we’ve been staying in until now.

We arrive in Andorra, where we’ll stay for the weekend before heading into the wilderness. These extra days are needed to buy and pack food for six days out in the wild. The guidelines for the week were pretty ‘straightforward’: Pack all your necessary stuff—food, clothes, water— for six days. Oh, and by the way... your backpack can weigh a maximum of 11 kilograms. Total. To give you an idea: an average sleeping bag from Decathlon weighs 1.65 kg. Now I finally understand why everyone’s obsessed with ultralight gear.

TIME TO PRACTICE

There we go—the week we have all been looking forward to and were a bit afraid of at the same time: expedition time!

With storm Kirk joining us in the woods and our backpacks full, we embark into the wild. I had to leave my 1 kilogram Ziploc bag of chocolate and protein bars in the hotel... prioritizing warmth. Let’s hope this was the right choice. As soon as we start

Photo credits: Joosje Heringa

walking through the autumn-colored forest, an immense feeling of happiness hits me, something that I rarely experience in the city. We arrive in a beautiful valley surrounded by a blanket of colored leaves and three horses calmly grazing the humid grass. I cannot believe my eyes, am I really here?

Back to reality, Hurricane Kirk is still on our tails, so we have to set up camp fast. How do you set up a tarp again? In the rain..? This night, I’m so happy to share my tarp with two other, more experienced campers.

During the days it rains a lot, but that doesn’t stop us from our activities. We are taught different ways of setting up tarps, bushcrafting pegs from

wood, and making fire in the rain. I’ve brought along my grandfather’s old Marine knife—a beautiful piece full of history and memory. Great for sentiment and spirit, but not exactly ideal for carving spoons…

I feel cold and hungry most of the time. My lunch entails couscous with broth and herbs, or a wrap with peanut butter. Not really the stuff that stills your hunger. Some moments, I find myself running to my tarp for a small moment by myself. I take two little bites of my chocolate. I want more, my mind thinks, but I also know that this is one of the first days, and I still have some days left. That’s how it is with all the food. What you eat now, you won’t have later. So you ration, calculate, and resist.

Photo credits: Joosje Heringa

ANDORRA

LOW LOWS AND HIGH HIGHS

Emotions are strong, out in nature. As if they’re just more intense. I discuss it with my guide one day around the fire. I’m trying to warm up a bit and tell him: “You know, I’ve been going out of my comfort zone a lot in the past years, but it never gets easy.” “No,” he tells me, “it doesn’t.” Then he tells me about his passion for mountain climbing and how you can have the deepest fear at the same moment as the satisfaction of reaching the top. When stepping out of your comfort zone, your lows are truly low, and your highs are truly high.

STEP BY STEP—YOU CAN DO IT!

After three days of practical workshops, it’s time for our mini-expedition. Based on the coordinates we’d been given in the weeks before, and the route we built accordingly, we head off. Everyone gets a chance to lead the group and to be in front. Guiding is based on coordinates, bearings (with compasses), and our surroundings and ‘clear’ natural structures as landmarks.

The first part is a steep climb up the mountain— no warm-up, just straight into it. Legs burning, lungs working overtime. I feel my leg muscles screaming with every step, but somehow, I like it. You just keep going. Step by step, head down, and push forward. It’s hard, but I feel alive. Tired, yes, but also full.

As we walk up, our navigation skills are quickly put to the test. All those bearings and carefully chosen landmarks we mapped out beforehand? Suddenly not so clear anymore. On paper, it all made sense. But now, staring at a landscape full of lookalike mountain peaks, we discuss “Is it 100 meters going eastward from that peak? Or that one?” Small details, big consequences.

PEOPLE THRIVE IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS

What feels easy or exciting for one person can be incredibly tough for another. That becomes clear again this week. In the first two weeks in Saderness, we had somewhat physical comforts— cold showers, proper meals, and a tent to sleep in, but socially and emotionally, it was more challenging. We had group exercises, feedback rounds, and lots of social dynamics. I felt okay in that setting.

But here in Andorra, the challenge shifts. The physical discomfort—being cold, wet, hungry, wearing the wrong layers—hits me much harder. I feel on edge constantly, and at the same time, watch others who had found the earlier weeks tough come alive out here. For them, this environment feels more like home. Rough, raw, physical. That’s where they thrive.

CHOOSING YOUR BOUNDARIES

It’s day 4 of 6. We’ve made it to just below the mountain peak we crossed over, arriving right before sunset, in a completely different spot than we had planned (of course). Physically, this week has been tough for me. From nausea in the night, to real back pain, and feeling cold constantly.

ANDORRA

I feel that I am not enjoying it anymore, nor can I be present in the learning experience. My head is saying, “This is part of it,” “Why am I the only one feeling this?” “Am I exaggerating?” and my body is saying: “Stop. Three weeks in a tent/under a tarp, in a learning group environment, going going going... I’m devastated.”

With that, on top of the mountain, I decide: it has been okay for me now. When we descend, I’ll go home. There will be two more nights, but I feel it has been enough. And that is also part of learning, isn’t it? Listening to your body, knowing your boundaries, and being able to say: this is enough for me now. Not giving up, but choosing to take care of yourself. I leave feeling tired, but proud.

“TO GET SOMETHING YOU NEVER HAD, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING YOU NEVER DID.”

Photo credits: Joosje Heringa

Photo credits: Joosje Heringa

PRACTICAL TIP: IDENTIFY STRUCTURES

The roughness of bark, the fine veins of a leaf, grains of sand beneath your feet—how many textures can you find around you? Use your fingertips to explore. Focus on the sensation in your skin and the details your nerves pick up.

This kind of sensory attention not only grounds you in the moment, but also sharpens your awareness—an essential skill when moving through or guiding in nature.

Disclaimer* This is a subjective article written from the author’s personal perspective and experiences. The views expressed are based on individual interpretation and may not apply universally.

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@joosje-heringa

SNOW LEOPARD SISTERS: A

NEW DOCUMENTARY UNVEILS THE POWER OF WOMEN-LED CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN NEPAL

Along the jagged slopes of the Himalayas, where fierce, dry winds swirl clouds into whimsical forms—blended between snow and rock—a snow leopard awaits patiently for its next hunt, its green eyes piercing and acute. In this windswept wilderness, where Earth’s highest peaks meet the sky’s edge, even the most specialized apex predator grapples to survive.

Written by Rina Herzl

Photo credits: Tashi R Ghale

NEPAL

Snow leopards, mystically referred to as the “Deities of the Himalayas”, are emblematic yet vulnerable predators found only in the rugged mountain ranges of Central, South, and East Asia. These majestic cats face mounting challenges as their habitats shrink under human development and as their natural prey—primarily blue sheep— are declining due to unsustainable hunting, competition for grazing from free-range livestock, and the impacts of climate change.

Survival is just as challenging for the people who call Dolpo, Nepal, home. In these remote Himalayan highlands, humans are struggling to coexist with their neighboring alpine predators. It is within this majestic and unrelenting terrain that the documentary film Snow Leopard Sisters unfolds: a powerful story of two women lifting each other up through the bitter cold and overcoming life’s crossroads to protect one of the world’s most elusive and endangered species.

Together, they climb not only the cliffs of the Himalayan mountains but also the steep slopes of entrenched norms, toward a new vision of conservation that both empowers women and protects wildlife.

Snow Leopard Sisters centers on the journey of two remarkable women: Tshiring and Tenzin. Tshiring Lhamu Lama is a seasoned conservationist tenaciously working to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect snow leopards from retaliatory killings in the Dolpo region. Alongside her is Tenzin Bhuti Gurung, a teenage girl mentored by Tshiring as an apprentice. Grieving her sister’s death and the devastating loss of her family’s livelihood to snow leopard attacks on their livestock, Tenzin embodies the very tension Tshiring is striving to resolve.

With remarkable fortitude and courage, Tshiring treks through snow-covered valleys and endures

nine nights camped in the frigid mountains, just to reach Tenzin’s village. Once together, they embark on a two-week expedition in search of the most elusive big cat—all with her nursing baby in tow. Tenzin, never exposed to such an empowered woman, stirs in wonder and softly shares, “When I see Tshiring . . . I feel I can be somebody.”

Tshiring estimates that only 90 snow leopards remain in the region and warns that, without action to curb retaliatory killings, the species could soon vanish locally. The elusive cat is nationally endangered, with only around 400 individuals left in all of Nepal. Shrinking habitat, conflict with people, and melting peaks are driving snow leopards toward extinction. Particularly in Nepal, poorly guarded village livestock—now vulnerable due to environmental shifts—have become all-too-easy prey for famished snow leopards struggling to prevail in the changing Himalayan landscape. After losing their livestock to a

snow leopard, herders often retaliate by tracking down the big cat, baiting it, and poisoning it— resulting in a slow and painful death.

As a former employee of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal, Tshiring appeals to the Park authority, who are well aware of the cycle: herders and families losing livestock to snow leopards, and snow leopards losing their lives in retaliation. She believes more can be done. A government representative acknowledges the issue but indicates that, for now, limited resources continue to hamper both prevention efforts and the enforcement of laws against illegal retaliatory killings.

With the support of the Snow Leopard Conservancy, Tshiring is working directly with Dolpo communities to foster coexistence with snow leopards and reduce tensions where people and wildlife share the land. This effort includes

Top: Map of Dolpo, Nepal/Snow Leopard Range

Photo credits: Snow Leopard Sisters

Left: Tenzin and Tshiring, the leads of the documentary film ‘Snow Leopard Sisters’, on an expedition searching for the elusive snow leopard in Dolpo, Nepal

Photo credits: Snow Leopard Sisters

Tshiring, with her baby strapped to her back, treks through the snow with apprentice Tenzin alongside her, on an expedition in pursuit of Dolpo’s elusive snow leopard.

Photo credits: Snow Leopard Sisters

building predator-proof communal corrals and installing deterrent light technologies to protect livestock. As a result, herders are no longer driven to retaliate, and communities grow more protective of the snow leopards they once feared.

Education programs are also a crucial thread in this effort, transforming how people relate to the wild by highlighting how conservation efforts protect both wildlife and the natural resources local families rely on. At the same time, Tshiring is pioneering ecotourism initiatives in the region, aiming to conserve habitats and wildlife while celebrating local culture and creating new economic opportunities for the community.

Tshiring’s bold work is as much about conserving the natural environment as it is about empowering women within the community. In the Dolpo region, about 90% of the herders are women, and as such, snow leopard predation on livestock impacts women the most.

The film delicately explores the daily struggles faced by women in the Dolpo region, who are the primary caretakers of livestock and bear the greatest burden when snow leopards attack their animals. It’s a place where a teenage girl like Tenzin is expected to cease her education to tend to the goats—her family’s only livelihood—and then promptly set to marry before being of legal age. At the same time, Tshiring, a single mother to a newborn, is working to save the snow leopard in a male-dominated space, all while facing financial barriers imposed upon women. Despite these challenges, Tshiring is resolute in her mission: to help communities and snow leopards thrive side-by-side in the icy, rugged cliffsides of the Himalayas.

Young Tenzin begins her journey weary and resentful of snow leopards. Her family’s traditional open-air corral was not sufficient

Apprentice Tenzin on the search for Dolpo’s elusive snow leopard.

Community members, with support from the Snow Leopard Conservancy, install predator-proof corrals to reduce snow leopard attacks on livestock in Dolpo, Nepal.

Photo credits: Snow Leopard Sisters

Photo credits: Snow Leopard Sisters

to protect against a snow leopard’s supreme ability to leap and climb. In a single night, Tenzin and her family lost over 50 goats. With climate change and habitat loss shrinking their hunting range and pushing these big cats farther down the mountains, their collisions with villages and livestock are escalating. For Tenzin, these were the very animals from the cautionary tales she had grown up hearing—but now their threat was real, as they destroyed her family’s livelihood and, with mounting financial hardship, were cementing her future toward a forced and early marriage. Through her two-week apprenticeship with Tshiring, Tenzin’s mind opens to new views of the nature around her, the animals that share the mountains, and her place in the world.

In this way, Snow Leopard Sisters is also a story of transforming the human relationship with the wild, as Tenzin begins to see the big cat not as a threat, but as a shared part of her world. She is reminded that, after all, her “ancestors believed snow leopards are the guardians of the mountain and without them sacred valleys will be lost.”

Breathtaking visuals and intricate storytelling enrapture the viewer, unveiling the intertwined storylines of conservation, empowerment, and the search for coexistence. Together, two women finding themselves alone in their life journeys, converge and become newfound ‘sisters,’ bonded by resilience and purpose in fostering transformative change in the Himalayan highlands. For Tenzin, her early life destiny was forever changed, and she is now working and taking leadership to protect snow leopards in her village.

Directed by Ben Ayers, Andrew Lynch, and Sonam Choekyi Lama, the film premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in spring 2025 and was featured at the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado. Making her directorial debut, Sonam Choekyi Lama, who is Tshiring’s sister and also from Dolpo, imparts a rare depth of cultural understanding into the film. By interlacing her local perspective of the region’s human tensions and beauty with nuance and care, she imbues the film with a captivating, authentic voice.

Snow leopard

Photo credits: Snow Leopard Sisters

At a commemorative film premiere hosted by the film’s impact partner, Snow Leopard Conservancy, celebrating 25 years of the organization’s conservation work, Executive Director Ashleigh Lutz-Nelson summed up the spirit of the film: “THROUGH INTIMATE STORYTELLING AND BREATHTAKING CINEMATOGRAPHY, SNOW LEOPARD SISTERS AMPLIFIES THE POWERFUL VOICES OF WOMEN LEADING CHANGE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES— SECURING A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE ELUSIVE SNOW LEOPARD. IT’S A PHENOMENAL FILM THAT WILL LEAVE YOU INSPIRED AND PERHAPS A LITTLE CHANGED FOREVER.”

With no official public release date announced yet, Snow Leopard Sisters is already generating buzz in both environmental and film festival circles. It is a poignant reminder that lasting conservation starts with local communities and healing relationships—between people, nature, and the wild beings who share our fragile planet.

As an impact partner, Snow Leopard Conservancy is making a direct difference for snow leopards in Dolpo, Nepal. Learn how you can help protect these iconic big cats of the Himalayas:

Campaign page www.snowleopardconservancy.org

Instagram @snowleopardconservancy

Facebook

@Snow Leopard Conservancy

LinkedIn @Snow Leopard Conservancy

Youtube @snowleopardconserve

Cluey data collection app

Photo credits: Transfrontier Africa

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EMPOWERING CONSERVATION WITH SMART DATA

At its core, nature conservation is about protecting biodiversity. Rangers are battling poachers across millions of hectares every day. Researchers are documenting and gathering as much information as possible to better our knowledge of wildlife and the environment. Conservationists strive for a human-wildlife coexistence and go to great lengths to achieve it. Accurate, timely information is essential to the work. Yet, much of that information, collected through observations, notes, reports, and videos, has been historically difficult to use efficiently.

Sensing Clues was born for this challenge. In 2016, deep under the lush canopies of a Lao Jungle, Jan Kees Schakel heard a single gunshot ring from outside his remote hut, followed by the roar of a boat engine. Poachers. The local rangers’ daily problem, but they lacked the tools to detect or respond in time. That moment sparked the idea for a new kind of conservation support system, one powered by data and technology.

By 2017, Jan Kees had built a network of collaborators from the tech world and officially founded the Sensing Clues Foundation. The mission? Provide nature conservation organizations with best-in-class conservation technology solutions.

Written by Marc Kranendonk

GLOBAL

A GLOBAL ORGANIZATION

Today, Sensing Clues is a well-established nonprofit working with 13 solution partners, five core staff members, and about 30 volunteers. They support more than 500 ranger teams across 15 countries—including Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Kenya, South Africa, Colombia, Indonesia and India. The protected areas supported by their tools have expanded from 385,000 hectares in 2019 to nearly 19 million presently.

We spoke with Project Manager Menno Valkenburg and Impact Facilitator Rebekka Stutz about their roles, the tools they offer, and how technology is transforming conservation work.

FROM PAPER TO PLATFORM

“Sensing Clues is a nonprofit organization that uses data and technology to support conservation efforts,” explains Menno. “We create tools that help conservationists gather and analyze data more effectively.”

One of the biggest hurdles they address is the slow, fragmented nature of data collection in conservation. Rangers record sightings or incidents with pen and paper. Pages of notes take weeks to compile and share, by which time it’s often too late to act.

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To solve this, Sensing Clues developed a suite of interoperable tools:

Cluey

Their flagship mobile app, Cluey, allows users to collect data in the field. This includes everything from animal sightings to gunshots to patrol routes, even to community work activities.

Focus 360

A monitoring and situational awareness tool that syncs with Cluey in real-time, visualizes collected data, and seamlessly links data from diverse sources, types, and providers.

Analytical Toolbox

The reporting engine that allows conservationists to generate standardized maps and reports with just a few clicks. Less time behind the computer, and more time in the field.

Cluey data collection app

Photo credits: Transfrontier Africa

The advanced analytical software in use

Photo credits: Urban Tiger Voluteer Program

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These tools are provided free of charge to conservation partners. Premium services, including custom app development and advanced technical support, are available and tailored to a partner’s specific needs and resources. “Nothing has a fixed price,” says Rebekka. “We want our service to be available at all levels. We can’t just support the big organizations. There are plenty of smaller operations that need access to the same set of tools.

In the cases where users can’t read, the app uses visual logic, like icons and images, to make it easy to understand and use. Training is typically done over a few short sessions, and technical support is always just a message away. In fact, WhatsApp groups are set up for direct contact with field partners.

DESIGNING FOR THE FIELD

The technology is designed to be user-friendly for people working in tough conditions, sometimes with limited literacy.

“It starts with design,” Menno says. “We try to make things as simple as possible. For example, Cluey can collect thousands of data concepts, but we prune it down in custom versions to show only what’s relevant for the partner.”

A REAL-WORLD IMPACT

The impact of Sensing Clues’ tools is best illustrated through a field success story. Rebekka highlighted the Black Mambas—the all-female anti-poaching unit in South Africa’s Greater Kruger area—as a standout example. These women use Cluey to log incidents, sightings, and threats. Their commanders monitor real-time data through Focus 360, maintaining 24-hour situational awareness.

“They’ve managed to have zero incidents since working with us,” says Rebekka. “It’s empowering

Data collection with the Cluey app

Photo credits: Transfrontier Africa

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women, protecting rhinos, and I am proud that we can have that kind of impact through our field partners.”

Another example is Carbon Tanzania, an organization that uses Cluey and the Analytical Toolbox to help monitor and evaluate communityled conservation activities in their Ruvuma Corridor project. Ruvuma Corridor is a vital onemillion-hectare link between protected areas in Mozambique and Tanzania. It’s an ecological lifeline that is crucial for wildlife movement and biodiversity conservation. Supporting the communities that protect and live in this corridor is essential.

Using the Cluey data collection app, project officers and community leaders can register training sessions, meetings, activities, and field reports—attaching notes, minutes, and PDF documents so everything is documented in one place. The fully integrated Community Work Reports from the Analytical Toolbox enable them to create high-quality reports with just a few clicks. This has enhanced reporting accuracy, fostered transparency, improved communication, and enabled more effective collaboration between field teams and the head office. With streamlined communication channels, support is always a message away, even in the most remote areas.

A MIGRATION RADAR THAT PUT CRANES ON THE MAP

Apart from supporting boots-on-the-ground rangers, Sensing Clues also develops tools for ecological monitoring and public engagement. A good example of this is their crane migration radar, a project developed with Wageningen University & Research as part of the Nature FIRST biodiversity consortium.

Using public data from platforms like Observation. org, Sensing Clues developed a model to predict crane migration patterns. The tool overlays real-time weather forecasts—like wind speed and rainfall—onto observation data to predict where cranes are likely flying. “The radar gives birdwatchers the best chance of seeing cranes again,” Menno explains. “It shows where they were

seen and where they’re likely headed.”

The crane radar became so popular that it nearly crashed the website. In February alone, 100,000 visitors swarmed the page. That interest encouraged the team to expand with similar radar tools for bears in Europe and elephants in Africa.

“It started as a passion project by our collaboration partner Koen,” Menno says. “Now it’s part of Nature FIRST and a great example of how innovation can go from personal interest to practical field use.”

Rebekka adds a personal reflection demonstrating how technology can help bring awareness:

“When I started doing safaris, I could never understand people’s interest in birds. Like, why would you look at birds when there are lions, leopards, and elephants right in front of you! When I did my first training, I had to learn a lot about birds, especially their calls. I’ve memorized hundreds of birds just by their calls alone. It’s amazing because through that process, I got to understand their habits and impact on habitats. Understanding their role in an ecosystem helps you understand and appreciate the relationship they have with other species. From a conservation point of view, if you educate people on birds, they start to realize how everything works together.”

THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES

Sensing Clues operates with a small but agile team. Menno, who joined full-time in August 2024, serves in three roles: Project Manager for the EU Horizon Nature FIRST project, Operations Manager, and Scrum Master for the tech development team. He facilitates the development process with volunteers and contract developers around the world.

Rebekka, who moved from Switzerland to South Africa, manages marketing, communications, community engagement and partner relationships for Sensing Clues alongside her work as a co-lodge manager for Wild Tomorrow. “It’s been quite a journey. I was born and raised in Switzerland and lived there for the last 39 years. I

Monitoring activities with Focus 360 from Sensing Clues

Photo credits: Jan Kees Schakel, Sensing Clues

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realized I wanted to do something involving nature, where I could also make an impact... Safaris had always been a passion, so I decided to take at least a year off and follow my heart. I enrolled in a professional field guide course in South Africa with placements in Botswana and Zambia. When the course was finished, I didn’t want to go back to Switzerland. I wanted to live in Africa, but I needed to find a job that made that possible. By chance, I learned about the job opportunity at Sensing Clues and spoke with JanKees. I realized this opportunity combines everything I’ve done in the past with what I want to do in the future.”

“We all wear multiple hats,” she continues. “But we work closely with each other and our field partners. That collaboration is what makes this work so meaningful.”

CHANGING THE PERCEPTION AROUND TECH IN CONSERVATION

Not everyone in conservation has fully embraced technology or is aware of how it can help—but that can change.

“People are passionate about nature and want to be outside, not in front of a computer,” says Rebekka. “That’s exactly why our tools are important. They let people spend more time in the field and less time managing spreadsheets.”

Still, awareness is a challenge. Many organizations don’t know what tools exist or what problems they might help solve. For Sensing Clues, to create awareness is to prioritize relationships over transactions.

“We don’t force tools on anyone,” Rebekka says. “We show them what’s possible, and if it fits their needs, we help. Word of mouth has been our biggest driver.”

FOR THE FUTURE OF TECH IN CONSERVATION

When asked what advice they would give to someone who wants to combine tech and nature work but doesn’t know where to start, Menno and Rebekka say the same thing: “Start with a conversation”.

“There are so many directions you can go,” Menno says. “We can show a demo, but more importantly, we want to hear what someone is trying to achieve. That’s how collaboration starts. It’s important to establish a relationship, understand each other, and work together to maximize the impact you are trying to make.”

The integration of technological support in conservation starts with building a relationship of trust. That applies to developers, field workers, and researchers alike.

“Sometimes we find out they’re already using a different app,” says Rebekka. “That’s fine. We build on top of what exists. And we connect them with others in our network who might be facing the same challenges and can learn from one another. It’s about giving the best support possible for conservationists to succeed. That’s all we want in the end.”

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A FINAL MESSAGE

“Technology can help,” Rebekka emphasizes. “It frees up time for real conservation work. And the more we connect and collaborate, the greater our impact.”

“If anyone wants to innovate or collaborate, they’re welcome to reach out,” Menno adds. “Your skills and knowledge can make an impact beyond being on the frontlines of conservation. We know that this service has already shaped many conservation efforts. I think that will only continue to be more of the case.”

Sensing Clues is helping reimagine how conservationists monitor, protect, and respond to threats in nature. From digital apps to realtime radar, their tools enable proactive, datadriven decisions that save time, and potentially lives. Whether it is helping the Black Mambas anti-poaching squad in South Africa or letting birdwatchers track migrating cranes, their efforts are having a wide-reaching and deeply human impact.

There is a growing need for responsive, datadriven solutions in nature conservation. Protecting our environment isn’t only about the boots on the ground work; it’s also about the behind-thescenes efforts that empower that incredible work. It’s the difference between hearing a gunshot before or after a boat engine fades into the distance.

Instagram @sensingclues Website www.sensingclues.org

Facebook @SensingCluesWildlifeToolSuite

Linkedin @sensingclues

The EU Nature FIRST biodiversity project (2022–2025), short for Forensic Intelligence and Remote Sensing Technologies for Nature Conservation, aims to make European conservation efforts built on predictive, proactive, and preventative approaches.

It is led by Sensing Clues and funded by Horizon Europe. The project integrates satellite imagery, drones, on-the-ground sensors, and digital twins (a virtual copy of real-life ecosystems, including their data) to monitor and protect biodiversity across key Natura 2000 sites. Focus regions include the Carpathians and Danube Delta in Romania, Stara Planina in Bulgaria, and AncaresCourel in Spain.

Key technology components include ecosystem base maps, habitat classification tools, the Cluey Data Collector app, risk and patrol maps, and AI-powered biodiversity digital twins for species like bears. Nature FIRST supports the EU’s biodiversity and restoration goals for 2030 and beyond.

Jan Kees Schakel and a team of rangers

Photo credits: Jan Kees Schakel, Sensing Clues

NEW TO NATURE: An elusive little deer in the Andes (Pudella carlae)

Written by Megan Abigail White

In 2024, a new species of dwarf deer was identified in the forests of the Peruvian Andes.

Common name: Peruvian Yungas pudu

Scientific name: Pudella carlae

Habitat:

Cloud and elfin forest, Peru

Size: 38 centimeters tall, 7 to 9 kilograms

Diet: Ferns, leaves, and berries

IUCN Red List Status: Unclassified

Population: Unknown

DISCOVERY

It’s been said that we’re in an age of species discovery, thanks to both fresh field finds and numerous recent taxonomic revisions. Yet it’s certainly not every day that the world learns of a new species of cervid! In fact, Pudella carlae is the first novel deer species of the twenty-first century. Moreover, it’s a supremely photogenic little thing (when you can find one): a warm-brown dwarf deer with oval ears, short legs, and a penchant for nibbling on shrubbery.

Prior to 2024, there were generally believed that there were just two species of pudu—a genus of stocky and short-legged dwarf deer that lives in the Andes mountain range. These species were:

1. Pudu mephistophiles (northern pudu), found in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia

2. Pudu puda (southern pudu), found in southern Chile and southwestern Argentina

ANDES

The northern pudu population was known to inhabit two disjunct regions: one predominating in Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru, the other located entirely within the eastern Andes of Peru. Knowing this, it’s perhaps not altogether surprising to learn that in 2024, the multinational research team led by Javier Barrio, Eliécer E. Gutiérrez, and Guillermo D’Elía published a paper hypothesizing that the eastern Peruvian population actually constitutes a discrete species of its own. They proposed that this species be called Pudella carlae.

The pudu population that Barrio and his team claim to be a distinct species is separated from the rest of the northern pudu population by the Huancabamba Depression in northern Peru. This depression is, as the name suggests, a zone of lower altitude within the Andes. It has a drier environment, and this dryness serves as a barrier to contact between the two pudu populations, since the creatures prefer the humid montane forests found at higher altitude. The shortest distance between these two pudu populations is just 50 kilometers.

Based on a study of specimens from both north and south of the Huancabamba Depression, the research team concluded that P. Carlae is a discrete species from P. mephistophiles for the following reasons:

• P. carlae is heavier by around 1 to 3 kg

• P. carlae has finer fur and a lighter, warmer coloring overall

• P. carlae has oval-shaped ears (P. mephistophiles has round ears)

• The skull of P. carlae is wider in parts, as well as being proportionally longer

NAMING

The word pudu comes from the Spanish pudú, which was itself an adaptation of the Mapudungun or Mapuche word pudu, meaning “small deer”.

The pudu is, in fact, the world’s smallest cervid. Yet Barrio and his team didn’t name the new pudu species Pudu carlae, but rather Pudella carlae

The reason for this choice is that there has been debate going back more than a century as to whether P. mephistophiles (the northern pudu) should, in fact, be classified as a separate genus from P. puda (the southern pudu). Those who say it’s a distinct genus refer to it as Pudella mephistophiles, not Pudu mephistophiles, thereby further distinguishing it from its southern relative, Pudu puda. The argument here rests on several differences—for example, the southern pudu has a deeper lachrymal fossa (the little bone indentation near the inner eye) and also lacks the upper canines of its northern counterparts. Given their position in support of further taxonomic separations within the northern pudu population, it makes sense that the research team chose to name the new species Pudella carlae (and not Pudu carlae), thereby aligning with those advocating for two genera of pudus instead of one.

The second part of the new species’ binomial name—carlae—was given in recognition of Carla Gazzolo, the biologist who helped to save Barrio’s life in the face of a life-threatening vascular problem.

The common name of the newly identified species is the Peruvian Yungas pudu. This name is all about its location: the deer are found solely within the Yungas region of Peru—a unique bioregion of tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest occupying the slopes and valleys of the eastern Peruvian Andes. It is a unique transition zone between the high Andes and the Amazon rainforest.

CHARACTERISTICS

The Peruvian Yungas pudu is an attractive little deer. It has short legs and a stocky build typical of

ANDES

all pudus. It stands about 38 centimeters tall and weighs around 7 to 9 kilograms, making it larger than the northern pudu but smaller than the southern pudu. That said, only female specimens of P. carlae were analyzed by the research team, so the height and weight of males might be marginally greater—though likely not by much, given what we know of other pudu species. In fact, the only notable difference observed between the sexes of other pudu species is that males grow short, unbranched antlers, which they shed annually, while females do not.

If you had to describe the coloring of P. carlae very simply, you might call it a warm brown. More specifically, the pelage on its flanks is cognac or russet in color, blanching around the neck and head, and darkening to nearly black on its limbs and snout. Its fur is long and coarse, yet finer in texture than that of the northern pudu.

Finally, its ears are oval in shape—another characteristic distinguishing it from the northern pudu (which has round ears) as well as from the southern pudu (which has pointed ears). Another differentiating feature is that its incisors are flatter and wider at the tip than those of the northern pudu.

HABITAT

P. carlae thrives in the cloud and elfin forests of the Yungas, between roughly 1,800 and 3,300 meters. The montane forests of the Yungas provide plentiful food for P. carlae in the form of ferns, berries, and leaves. While these deer mostly feed on bushes and the canopies of small trees, which can be easily reached from the ground, they have also been observed climbing inclined tree trunks to reach higher foliage.

For anyone hoping to spot a Peruvian Yungas pudu in the wild, you might have success if you visit Rio Abiseo National Park, Yanachaga–Chemillén National Park, Pampa Hermosa

National Sanctuary, Pui Pui Protection Forest, or Alto Mayo Protection Forest—though it must be noted that these are not the only known locations of the species.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Given how recently P. carlae has been classified asitsownspecies, its population and conservation status have yet to be assessed by the scientific community and the IUCN Red List. Moreover, P. mephistophiles was moved in 2019 from a vulnerable status to “data deficient,” so it’s not possible to infer P. carlae’s population size with confidence based on its former classification. This being the case, more research is clearly needed to help assess the population numbers and conservation needs of both P. carlae and P. mephistophiles

Barrio and his team estimate the viable habitat of the Peruvian Yungas pudu to be under 20,000 square kilometers, a region comparable in size to Slovenia or New Jersey. They hypothesize that the species would likely be classified as “vulnerable” if sufficient data were available.

While all species play an important role in ecological health, the discovery of a new and sizable mammal species is truly exciting for its potential to attract more widespread interest and inspire greater engagement in wildlife conservation. This discovery has, in fact, been reported in many prominent, non-scientific publications like Forbes, LatinAmerican Post, and Times of India

It’s now a year on from the discovery, but we hope the interest in P. carlae will continue, spurring further research and conservation action.

Tracking the pangolins in the field

Photo credits: Will Burrard-Lucas

THE PANGOLIN PROJECT: PROTECTING THE GIANT PANGOLIN

Pangolins are small, tropical mammals that are completely covered in scales made of keratin. They are the only known mammals to have this type of natural armor, and as such, they are also the most heavily trafficked animal in the world. Of all the species of pangolins found around the world’s tropical zones, the most intriguing and rare is Smutsia gigantea, the Giant Ground Pangolin. By far the largest of its family, the giant pangolin can grow up to 1.2 meters long, and is as elusive as it is charismatic. Not much was known about the giant pangolin until fairly recently; sightings were so infrequent they were often dismissed as misidentifications.

But now, a surviving population of giant pangolins has been discovered in the Nyekweri Forest of Kenya, a treasured patch of ancient forest within the western area of the Maasai Mara Reserve. Following a confirmed sighting of one of these fantastic creatures in 2021, the area is now under the care of The Pangolin Project (TPP).

Written by Nathan Turnbull

KENYA

TPP is a Kenya-based NGO dedicated to the conservation of the giant pangolin through diligent monitoring, local engagement, and communitydriven solutions. Founded in 2020 by CEO Dr. Claire Okell, TPP is led by an innovative team including Conservation Manager Beryl Makori, Conservation Monitoring Manager Michael Koskei, and Senior Habitat Protection Officer Joel Siololo.

The first major success for the project came following a confirmed giant pangolin sighting in 2021, whereupon Beryl and Claire rushed to the location of a potential sighting to verify its validity: a remote area in the Nyekweri. Late at night and with such a hard-to-believe story, they both had their doubts, believing it was far more likely that the report had come from someone who may have misidentified a far more common species of pangolin. However, upon their arrival on site, they discovered that the report was indeed genuine—a species long believed to be completely extinct in Kenya was alive and well.

The discovery bolstered their resolve, and they decided to immediately focus the project solely on the Nyekweri, where they could properly investigate the area as a potential haven for this rare species (and many others). Ever since, these conservationists have been committed to investigating the truth about the giant ground pangolin and making sure they are properly protected.

Having sat down with Beryl and Michael, it’s clear that the passion remains undiminished these years later. Michael joined TPP in May 2024 after a decade in elephant conservation, primarily working as a Research Officer specializing in elephant tracking and Geographical Information Systems (GIS): “I wanted a fresh start, looking to help with the

conservation of a lesserknown species that wasn’t as well-protected as charismatic megafauna like elephants,” he explains. He did not know much about pangolins prior to his joining of TPP, but now, he couldn’t be prouder of his work with them. Beryl, on the other hand, studied wildlife management and was involved with bat protection projects from 2012 until 2020, when COVID disrupted her career and changed the way she could do her job. As a result, she joined TPP as a lead researcher and has since provided invaluable work that has led her to the role of Conservation Manager. With a deeper initial understanding of pangolins, Beryl was aware of the negative superstitions surrounding them— often seen as a bad omen in some communities. She was eager to uncover more about them, seeing a clear similarity with the attitudes a lot of people have towards bats.

Since the game-changing discovery in 2021, TPP has been working diligently. With an estimated number of fewer than 30 giant pangolins in the area, they are now trying to minimize any potential human threats to the species. A major issue that they are currently dealing with is the huge increase in electric fence usage in rural Kenya since 2010, when the Kenyan Government began subdividing land to individual landowners. With around 2,800 private landowners with their individual agendas in the local Nyekweri area, electric fences have become a norm for private land and livestock protection due to their perceived effectiveness as a predator deterrent, as well as the pressure that comes from neighbors all fitting them around their land, making those without feel underprotected and ill-prepared.

By 2022, over 100 kilometers of electric fencing surrounded the broader Nyekweri Ecosystem. These fences, while effective against deterring large predators, are deadly to wildlife—

KENYA

Giant ground pangolin

Photo credits: Will Burrard-Lucas

Tagging a pangolin

Photo credits: Will Burrard-Lucas

KENYA

particularly pangolins. If a pangolin walks into an electric fence, it can have a potentially fatal impact. In October 2024, two pangolins were killed this way. With the population already being small, two deaths meant a potential (based on assumptions surrounding population size) 6.6% population decline, which impacted the team deeply and profoundly—it felt ‘demoralizing’ to lose them in this way. Already, between October 2022 and October 2024, 12 other individuals had been lost, taking the total to 14 in just 2 years. It highlights the importance of each and every individual life when dealing with such a deeply threatened creature, when a handful of deaths can dramatically reduce the population count.

In response, the team quickly mobilized a campaign to educate locals on the dangers of these fence systems to wildlife and the lasting harms to the ecosystem as a whole. Overall, the campaign was a huge success. The results were

swift and encouraging: within just one week, 29 landowners agreed to de-electrify. This set a positive precedent among the community, and by the end of the campaign, 42 kilometers of fencing were de-electrified, and a further 29 kilometers modified. Around 570 people were impacted by the campaign’s education strategies, which used major public local events to reach out to large groups at once. TPP considered the campaign a testament to the local community, demonstrating their willingness to act once ecological consequences were made clear.

Another issue that has become increasingly prevalent during TPP’s field operations is having to help with other wildlife injuries. As of mid2024, TPP employed 21 Community Conservancy Rangers to help with protecting the local ecosystem, and more cases of wildlife injuries are being noticed than ever. Most injuries are linked to wildlife fencing and poaching. Now, TPP has

Pangolin rolled in electric fence

Photo credits: The Pangolin Project

found itself involved in caring for non-pangolin species in the Nyekweri due to their circumstantial ability to step up and provide care alongside similar organizations in the area, such as the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Mara Triangle Conservancy. The rangers are well-versed in the importance of the wider ecosystem and the wildlife within it, and accommodate what is now a major part of their work. “TPP never aimed to be so involved in wildlife care provision,” Beryl explains, “but we could not ignore the issue while focusing on the field work, and now we fill a niche that few others can.” They also hope to help evolve another similar local organization, the Nyekweri-Kimintet Community Forest Conservation Trust, into being able to take a larger role in coordinating these responses.

Beyond this kind of interventionist work, a lot of time is spent on monitoring. Michael is an expert at this, and manages the monitoring team. To

ensure that the pangolins are safe, the team is trying to map out their habitat, movement patterns, and population numbers, all in the name of sustainable, efficient protection. This involves deploying camera traps in areas believed to be high in pangolin traffic, tracking their movements using tags that can be non-invasively fitted onto the animals, and learning about their home ranges through the data generated by these processes. Beyond this, there are plenty of other rare species in the area that benefit from this monitoring program, including blue monkeys, sand squirrels, and civets, to name a few. Each rare species can be protected more effectively the more is known about them, so this research data is invaluable to conservationists and locals alike. Locals, wildlife rangers, national park rangers, and other parties in the area are also encouraged to report wildlife sightings, hotspots, and potential injuries to create as holistic a picture as possible of the Nyekweri’s illustrious tapestry of life.

KENYA

Tracking the pangolins

Photo credits: Will Burrard-Lucas

area with TPP’s long-term support.

Encouraging this collaboration also helps share the workload and brings together people from different organizations, creating a sense of community around conservation that is in line with TPP’s long-term goals. Long-term planning is a big part of TPP’s methods: the hope is that the local communities with which they engage take their lessons to heart, so that pangolin conservation becomes a part of their way of life. TPP may not be based in the Nyekweri forever, and if the community understands how to perform this ecological work, as well as its importance, then the teachings that TPP pass on will last far beyond their presence in the area. Beryl stresses how important local focus is to the organization—“almost 80% of our staff are local to the area, and care about the work on a deeply personal and immediate level.” The Kimintet and Olorien Conservancy, a local organization, is cited as one such party that will be able to protect the

As Beryl has long been aware, the ill omen that people perceive pangolins to carry has led them to not have the best reputation among communities, and to groups that benefit from tourism in the Mara, pangolins are underrepresented: ‘tourism species’ (elephants, lions, rhinos) always come first. However, both Michael and Beryl have noticed a change over the years in public perceptions towards pangolins, with people now realizing their importance to ecosystems and understanding that they are a heavily trafficked, plighted species that are just as important to protect as the big charismatic species that bring tourists to the area.

This lack of representation speaks to the importance of TPP—they are the only NGO in Kenya currently entirely focused on Giant Ground Pangolins. They are filling a niche that no one else has, and as such, every effort is vital. Michael, having had a lot of experience in elephant

Setting up a camera trap

Photo credits: Will Burrard-Lucas

KENYA

conservation in the past, draws a stark contrast between the amount of support elephants receive from conservation organizations—“There are more than 5 major organizations focused on elephants in eastern Africa. With plenty of organizations with their own agendas well established, fixated unwaveringly on Africa’s Big Five, someone had to rally for the pangolins, which is where TPP came in. Animals like pangolins are just as important as the big, traditionally charismatic species.”

Beryl cites education as a major limiting factor towards pangolin awareness: “Schools in Kenya have historically not been interested in pangolins, and do not see them as an important enough animal to include in any form of curriculum.” Academic institutions often belittle these lesser-known species, with Beryl having personal experience of struggling to defend her thesis on bats on the grounds that “no one was particularly interested in non-charismatic species conservation at the time”. Between this lack of interest and the already prevalent issue of extremely high trafficking rates, where do we start when defending the pangolin?

According to Michael and Beryl, there are certainly changes that can be made. To begin with, governments need to tighten their grip on wildlife trafficking laws, especially in countries

“THERE ARE MORE THAN 5 MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED ON ELEPHANTS IN EASTERN AFRICA. WITH PLENTY OF ORGANIZATIONS WITH THEIR OWN AGENDAS WELL ESTABLISHED, FIXATED UNWAVERINGLY ON AFRICA’S BIG FIVE, SOMEONE HAD TO RALLY FOR THE PANGOLINS.”

with native populations of surviving pangolins. NGOs and international agencies need to demand the reduction of pangolin scale usage in traditional medicine-making. In fact, just recently, China has changed its laws to remove medicine containing pangolin ingredients from its list of approved national medicines, which will go into effect on October 1st, 2025, as a step in the right direction. Educational outreach, training, and enforcement need to be provided to rangers who work in areas with pangolin populations, and community outreach would be equally useful to change public perceptions. While optimistic, these suggestions are a very solid basis for how large-scale conservation should be conducted, and could be used as the foundations for several species beyond just the pangolin.

TPP is doing the best they can with the area they have to make the change they want to see in the world. For the next 2 years, they plan to stay in the Nyekweri area and continue to work with the local communities—an estimated 2,800 households—to protect the local ecosystem and the rare ground pangolins within it. Habitat protection is hugely important to ensure long-term success, and as of April 2025, 4,000 acres of the Nyekweri are protected under a conditional payment scheme (MoU) signed by TPP, Community Conservancy, and over 133 landowners in the area, whereupon landowners are given financial incentives to keep their forest land intact. They are currently working on a new lease that will last longer, with a lot more of the forest covered under its terms

and conditions. As of June 2025, 100 landowners have already signed onto it. This lease signing is a major part of this year’s work, with Beryl devoting a lot of her time to land protection leases: “By the end of 2025, we aim to protect 5,000 hectares of the forest. With 80% of the forest having been lost since just 2010, the importance of these legislative actions cannot be overstated. The vital habitats that remain undamaged have to be protected at all costs, or this sanctuary for so many exotic species will be permanently lost.”

Overall, The Pangolin Project is a hopeful example of what can be achieved by a small team of truly passionate people. Their message: “Every little effort makes a difference when it comes to conservation. Even the smallest actions can have a big impact.” Despite the odds being against them, they are working against the clock to keep the Giant Ground Pangolin safe, and even though they have their work cut out for them, they are showing no signs of stopping. Within the next few years, their operations are looking to expand, and we watch them with eager eyes as they set a shining example of modern, sustainable conservation in action.

Website www.thepangolinproject.org

Instagram @thepangolinproject

Facebook

@ThePangolinProject

LinkedIn

@ThePangolinProject

A Temminck’s pangolin carrying a pup on her back

Photo credits: Mark Boyd

An Introduction to Permaculture

Permaculture is built on 4 key Ethics and 12 design Principles

Contrary to popular belief, Permaculture is so much more than just food gardening. At its root, it is a design system that supports all aspects of life. Consider it a lifestyle.

In essence, Permaculture is the intentional design and maintenance of productive agricultural ecosystems that mirror the diversity, vigor, and stability of their natural counterparts. It is the harmonious union of land and people, which provides food, shelter, and other material needs in a sustainable way.

Think of it like this: how do the many features of your homestead, school, or community interact with one another? Ideally, your house, garden, water and waste systems, and animals should be in productive harmony. This might look something like implementing a greywater system, which is naturally filtered and cycles back into your garden, or a home designed with the landscape in mind to best harvest water, sunlight, and happiness.

The practice of Permaculture is a vital component of conservation, as the practices are built to conserve and support the existing ecosystems around us. We can contribute to conservation efforts simply by increasing awareness of how we move through this world.

CARE OF THE EARTH

Look after our planet, and everything that lives on it.

SHARE THE RESOURCES

Share our extra resources with others so they also may live healthy and fulfilled lives.

Written by Skye Ayla Mallac

CARE OF THE PEOPLE

Look after one another.

PROMOTE LIFE

All forms of life have a right to exist. Enhance and promote life in all its diverse forms.

Observe and interact

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

The Ethical Foundations of Permaculture Permaculture Principles

Good Permaculture design is founded on our relationship to nature. Cultivating an ability to observe the natural systems and patterns around us is key to understanding our immediate context.

Catch and store energy

Make hay while the sun shines

Act on opportunities to capture local resources when they are in their seasonal or episodic abundance.

Obtain a yield

You can’t work on an empty stomach

We need immediate rewards to sustain us and continue our work. A Permaculture system should provide for self-reliance at all levels.

Apply self-regulation and accept feedback

The sins of the fathers are visited on the children unto the seventh generation

As in every aspect of life, observing what works and what doesn’t, then adapting your approach from what you learn, is key.

Use and value renewable resources and services

Let nature take its course

Make use of nature’s abundance within the immediate environment. What resources are readily available on your land or in your community? Those are your starting points when sourcing resources.

Produce

no waste

Waste not, want not

What is waste but a resource in itself?

Food scraps can be added to compost to build healthy soil. Greywater can be naturally filtered through simple systems to feed into your garden.

Design from patterns to details

Can’t see the wood for the trees

When designing Permaculture systems, it’s necessary to take a step back from time to time. We observe broader patterns in nature and in human society and work with them before moving onto the finer details.

Integrate rather than segregate

Many hands make light work

What relationships between systems, organisms, and people draw things together? We want a design whose elements support one another cohesively and build the ecosystem with a common cause.

How to get started

Use small and

slow

solutions

Slow and steady wins the race

Systems should be designed to perform functions at the smallest practical and energy-efficient scale, such as making use of local resources. We want our systems to be as self-reliant as possible.

Use

and

value diversity

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Diversity immediately makes a system less vulnerable. With many interacting elements and support systems, a space can thrive, mimicking the inherent diversity and resilience of the natural world.

Use

edges and value the marginal

Don’t think you are on the right track just because it is a well-beaten path

It is at the edges of everything that the most interesting things take place. Observe the thriving diversity of that small patch of land between the road and whatever is beyond. This is a space where the most valuable, diverse, and productive elements thrive.

Creatively use and respond to change

Vision is not seeing things as they are, but as they will be

Remember, we are designing for the future. We implement systems with an awareness of how things beyond our control may impact them one day, so we can make use of change in a deliberate and co-operative way.

For those of us who don’t have access to huge plots of land or even a backyard garden, the idea of implementing these principles into our everyday life might sound hard. But that’s not the case! Returning to the idea that Permaculture is a lifestyle, let’s consider a couple of ways you can begin to practice these today.

Increase diversity and form relationships: modern society is deeply compartmentalized. It's so easy to separate things, and yet everything thrives in relationship with one another. Here are some ways you can do this today:

• Plant multiple species in the same garden bed (on your windowsill or in your backyard). Research companion planting and guilds, and foster dynamic relationships in the soil.

• Increase diversity in your diet. Even if you’re not growing your own food, source locally and with seasonal variety. Your body needs many elements to thrive.

• Expand your social circle! Talk to people you might not usually approach, and you’ll open yourself to valuable new perspectives. Great things thrive when many different minds come together.

Stacking functions: The most resilient systems are made up of elements that serve more than one purpose. How can you multipurpose things in your life?

• Your roof is a rain-catchment system.

• Your garden provides food, builds soil diversity, and creates a habitat for vital insect life.

• Your kitchen feeds you, the food scraps feed the soil, which grows more food.

• Your winter fireplace can double up as a stove top.

Make things make sense. Be resourceful with the energy around you.

Go out and Permi-fy your life, in the smallest ways!

The tall wax palms in Cocora Valley are just one of many species that are threatened by unsustainable tourism.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

COLOMBIA

COLOMBIA’S ENCHANTED VALLEY GRAPPLES WITH THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD OF NATURE TOURISM

In Colombia’s picturesque Cocora Valley, wax palms attract crowds from around the world. But beneath their iconic beauty, popularized by Disney’s Encanto, lies a different reality. After 40 years as a national symbol, these towering giants are turned into standing skeletons, caught between unregulated tourism and expanding agriculture. As tourism booms in Colombia after decades of conflict, and legal protection efforts falter, a critical question arises: Will tourism drive the wax palms to disappear, or will it be their last hope for survival?

Written by Hedda Thomson Ek

While the wax palms are restricted from logging, their habitats on privately owned land have been turned into grazing fields for horses and cattle.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

A REAL-WORLD ENCANTO UNDER THREAT

There’s a tale of a magical place, nestled between mountains and vast forests—a real-life, enchanting sanctuary. In Disney’s version, the village of Encanto is protected by magic from a slim candle. But in the real-world inspiration for the film, Colombia’s Cocora Valley, it is the towering, slender wax palms that steal the spotlight.

Despite not being actual trees, the wax palms have stood as Colombia’s national tree for 40 years and are immortalized on Colombia’s 100,000-peso note. These slender giants can reach up to 60 meters, and were used for wax candles, fences, and decoration; before harvesting leaves and cutting them was banned in 1985. Still, these palms face greater danger today than ever before. Located in the UNESCOlisted coffee region, Cocora Valley is now a “palm cemetery,” says botanist Rodrigo Bernal, warning that without change, most wax palms could vanish by mid-century.

THE TOURISM TRAP

COLOMBIA

Cocora Valley’s rise to fame, especially after the release of Disney’s Encanto, has transformed it into a tourist hotspot. In the nearby town of Salento, colorful jeeps that traditionally served as public transportation now line up to take tourists to Cocora Valley, eager to hike scenic trails or ride horseback across the valley and once forested pastures. Here, landowners cater to the Instagram crowd with staged photo ops among grazing livestock and jeeps loaded with coffee sacks. The threat to Colombia’s wax palms isn’t logging— it’s what’s missing from the landscape around them. Conservationist Luis Santiago Castillo Martinez warns that in the race to attract tourists to Cocora Valley, the bigger picture is being overlooked.

“One person rents out the horses, one rents out motorcycles, and one has a restaurant. But in the end, everyone is just trying to get the most income they can, but they don’t share the benefit with the community. No one is promoting the conservation of the area.”

Along a dirt road between two fenced-in properties, guide Jaime Monsalve points out holes in the ground. Nearly every standing palm in the pasture is accompanied by a corresponding hole where another palm has fallen. Though Cocora borders Los Nevados National Park, much of it is privately owned and lacks protection.

Agriculture has stripped away much of the natural forest where wax palms once thrived, leaving them stranded in the open pastures. Exposed to sun, wind, and grazing livestock, the trees lack the shelter, water, and nutrients they need to survive. “Here, they have less water and less food. They get stressed, lose their leaves, and then fall. That’s going to happen to all the palms you see outside the forest,” Rodrigo explains.

RESTORATION & OFFERING TO MOTHER EARTH—OR JUST GREENWASHING?

Jaime steps into a pasture and kneels beside a wax palm seedling, its scorched leaves barely knee-high. Exposed to harsh sun and livestock, few young palms survive without forest cover. Yet planting seedlings has even become a tourist activity, framed as a gift to Pachamama—Mother Nature. But Rodrigo dismisses the act for little more than greenwashing: “It’s a waste of time and tourists’ money. These seedlings can’t survive in open pasture. If we want more palms, we need more forest. But landowners won’t reforest—they want pasture,” he says.

But efforts are underway to give the wax palms a fighting chance. In a small nursery tucked behind a restaurant, Marino Toro carefully cultivates young palms beneath the shade of native trees. He’s spent nearly 30 years working with the community to restore the species. But regenerating the wax palms is a slow process. To withstand the scorching sun in the pasture, palms need to grow to about the height of a person—a process that takes roughly 15 years—and even then, they must be protected from grazing. The deeper problem remains unresolved.

COLOMBIA

“To plant forests, we need to buy the land,” says Jaime. “That takes time and money. And the government won’t help—because this isn’t gold. This isn’t emeralds. This isn’t oil. This is landscape.”

AN UNLIKELY SANCTUARY IN A “NEW ENCANTO”

While Cocora Valley is crowded with tourists, the remote region of Tochecito offers hope for wax palms. Hidden by rugged terrain and decades of conflict, it now holds the world’s largest population—over 200,000 trees, a hundred times more than Cocora Valley.

While the magic in Disney’s Encanto kept bandits out of the valley, the forests in the Tochecito area have been conserved largely as a consequence of the conflicts. Once occupied by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), a guerrilla group, the area was off-limits for years, during which landowners in the area were bribed, robbed, and even kidnapped, keeping landowners and visitors away from the area, and leaving the forests intact.

When guerrilla groups left Tochecito in 2012, the once-isolated region opened up, and conservationists saw a chance to protect it from the kind of development that overwhelmed Cocora Valley. Efforts to protect Tochecito’s forests began over a decade ago, when landowners, conservationists, and environmental authorities sat down to draft a conservation plan. But disputes over land-use restrictions stalled progress. Talks broke down without an agreement—leaving the forest unprotected and trust fractured. “The landowners shut the door,” says Luis. “They didn’t want to hear about a protected area again.”

COLOMBIA

LANDOWNERS LEADING THE WAY TO ECOTOURISM

After decades away from their land due to Colombia’s conflict, Diana Bedoya’s family—landowners in Tochecito since the 1940s—faced a difficult choice: hold onto their cattle grazing, with potential restrictions from environmental protection, or sell. Like many others, Diana’s father feared conservation would threaten their livelihood.

“The landowners were very afraid,” Diana recalls. “No one wanted to lose farms that had been in their families for generations.”

The wax palm leaf was commonly used on Palm Sunday during Easter celebrations. Since the palm was protected in 1985, other palms, such as the Iraca palm are now used for decoration instead.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

Few wax palms survive when they are planted out in the open fields as they are burnt by the sun and grazed by cattle.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

Tourists come from all over the world to experience the “real world Encanto”. But the cloudy forests have been replaced with flower gardens and grazing fields in the privately owned lands of Cocora Valley.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

COLOMBIA

Instead of selling, Diana charted a new path. She earned a master’s in sustainable tourism and, in 2017, helped establish the region’s first privately protected reserve: Santuario de la Palma de Cera. Now, her family’s farm, La Leona, is opening to visitors for eco-tourism and restoration work.

“The idea is to create a space where scientists, birdwatchers, and nature lovers can learn about the land and the Andes,” she says. “This is just the first seed. It will inspire others. One day, it could grow into a national park—maybe not in my lifetime, but for my daughter and her children.”

The more pristine nature of Tochecito is increasingly attracting tourists on bike tours and hikes. Luis works with landowners like Diana to support low-impact farming, fence off forest areas from cattle, and develop ecotourism plans that diversify income while easing pressure on fragile ecosystems. Having been involved with the conservation of the wax palm in Tochecito, Luis points out the importance of planning for and controlling tourism and agriculture in the area to avoid unregulated infrastructure, which could damage both the natural and cultural landscape, such as roads, restaurants, and parking lots. “If we don’t manage the cattle, they will continue eating the seedlings and the young wax palms. So little by little they will be disappearing, but we’re not trying to eliminate the cattle.” Luis says. “Cattle grazing is a tradition, like the architecture of the cultural landscape—it’s something tourists appreciate. But we want tourism that’s rooted in local culture, not fancy hotels. Places where people can stay and have a more authentic experience.”

For tourism in Tochecito to be sustainable, it must benefit local communities and support conservation. While more visitors are discovering the region—often by mountain bike—most bring their own guides and supplies, leaving locals out of the economy. “Tourist groups often don’t use local services,” says Luis. “They

About 200 horses take turns carrying tourists around through grazing fields and flower gardens of Cocora Valley—nothing similar to the ecosystem they thrive in.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

COLOMBIA

bring their bikes and lunches with them and don’t consume any of the services in Tochecito. No money stays in the community, so there is no distribution of the benefits.”

Rather than repeating the fragmented, profit-driven, and unsustainable mode that emerged in Cocora Valley, Luis hopes for a management plan for the whole region—that combines organized tourism in private reserves with more strictly protected areas managed by local communities. “Let communities provide food, lodging, and horses for tourists hiking the trails in forests. That way, they can earn a living while preserving both nature and their traditional ways of using cattle and crops.”

COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONSERVATION

On a hill overlooking Cocora Valley, guide Jaime pauses, looking out over pale green pastures edged by dense forest. Nearby, tourists queue at a new photo spot—a giant hand sculpture meant to symbolize an Indigenous leader offering the land to visitors. Monsalve tries to raise awareness about the valley’s environmental challenges, but not all visitors appreciate the message.

COLOMBIA

“It’s become a competition,” Jaime says. “They keep adding attractions to draw more tourists. But I think this landscape should be enough. I’m just trying to educate tourists about the challenges this area faces, but some think I’m being negative and leave bad reviews,” he says.

Many come to experience nature but don’t contribute to its protection. For Jaime, the issue isn’t tourism or agriculture—it’s the lack of oversight. “Maybe the problem here isn’t tourism, agriculture, or the national park. Maybe it’s that there’s no control. We could have all of it, but with better management,” he suggests.

A HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY FOR PROTECTION

Celebrating another decade turned for Colombia’s national tree, Rodrigo hopes that this could be the turning point. With the right regulations, controlled tourism that distributes benefits locally could help protect Colombia’s iconic wax palms and their fragile habitat. Without that balance, these towering symbols of biodiversity—and the magic of the landscapes they define—could vanish.

“The country is in debt to the palm it chose as its national tree,” says Rodrigo. “Now is the time to create a national protected area—not just for the palm, but for the cloud forests and water reserves that depend on it.”

For Jaime, the message hits close to home. After watching Encanto with his daughter more than 20 times, one message sticks with him. “In the film, if the candle goes out, the magic disappears. For me, the palms are that candle. If they fall, the magic is gone. This will just be another ordinary place in Colombia.”

The landowners in Cocora Valley put up new installations to attract more tourists to their sites.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

A lone wax palm standing in the mist.

Photo credits: Hedda Thomson Ek

STARGAZER Mike Brampton

Arctic Guide, and Conservationist

Photographer,

Website www.mikebrampton.com

Instagram @mikebrampton

Website www.mikebrampton.com

I am a nature and expedition photographer, and my work is deeply rooted in conservation ethics and a profound respect for the natural world. As an Arctic expedition guide and storyteller, I use photography not merely to capture beauty, but to raise awareness of the urgent environmental changes facing some of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.

For me, photography is more than visual art—it is a form of ethical storytelling. I prioritize non-intrusive observation, allowing wildlife to behave naturally without human interference. My photographs—such as quietly observing an Arctic fox or a distant polar bear on melting ice—are the result of knowledge, patience, and empathy rather than manipulation.

Conservation lies at the heart of my mission. Having witnessed dramatic environmental shifts, including the rapid retreat of Arctic glaciers, I see myself as both a documentarian and an advocate. I use visual storytelling to share what I’ve seen and experienced, creating images that help make climate science feel more personal and real, while encouraging both emotional and thoughtful responses.

In my role as an Arctic guide, I help travelers experience the polar regions safely and responsibly, while educating them about the region’s ecological importance. Whether through photography, podcasts, or field leadership, I try to blend scientific insight with visual storytelling to deepen public understanding of environmental issues.

In my work, I strive to embody the essence of conservation photography—ethical, informed, and emotionally resonant. My images serve not only as records of wild beauty, but also as compelling calls to protect it.

- Mike Brampton

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Scan the QR code now and receive a 30-minute one-on-one consultation for free (worth 100€) with Oliver Dauert, founder of Wildya, or Michelle Egly, co-founder. Simply write to us UBUNTU after the payment.

Photo credits: Zoe Duc

A RARE SANCTUARY IN THE OPEN SEAS: THE PELAGOS SANCTUARY FOR WHALES AND DOLPHINS

Photo credits: E. Lodigiani/Tethys

“WE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THE OCEANS WERE TOO BIG TO BE AFFECTED BY HUMANITY. NOW WE KNOW THIS IS NOT TRUE. NOTHING IS TOO BIG TO BE AFFECTED BY HUMANITY.”

Dr. Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, founder and honorary president of the Tethys Research Institute, is a prolific and storied marine biologist, conservationist, and writer. Having worked across the globe researching marine mammals, Giuseppe’s knowledge and expertise were a key driving force behind the success of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Marine Mammals, in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea.

Written by Will Westwood

Growing up, long before the Pelagos Sanctuary even formed as a thought, Giuseppe had two real passions. The first, as you may imagine, was animals. Giuseppe recalls, “I think all children are attracted to animals, because it is part of our nature. It’s called Biophilia. But many people lose it along the way, or get sidetracked, I conserved this passion as I grew.” The second was Giuseppe’s very personal connection to the sea and “everything marine!”. As a child growing up in Venice and with a long family tradition of naval service and sailing, Giuseppe loved the sea. Following in his family’s footsteps, he started his career as a sailing teacher and in his own words, “at some point I decided to put the two things together and become a marine biologist.”

Giuseppe took to his new calling by moving to the center of marine mammal research at the time in the USA. Working at Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute in California, he studied beluga whales and humpback whales in Hawaii and gained his PhD in the early 1980s from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California. Since then, Giuseppe has made significant contributions to marine conservation policy in Europe as chair of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force and remains a vocal advocate for conservation in the world of politics. Of these many contributions, perhaps one of the most impactful was his role in the creation of the Pelagos Sanctuary. Giuseppe shares the critical

role he played and the changes he’s seen in the 26 years since it was declared.

JOURNEY TO THE SANCTUARY

Returning from the USA to the Mediterranean, Giuseppe engaged in marine mammal research, particularly on whales and dolphins. Previously, research in the north Mediterranean focused on anatomy and taxonomy, but little on the lives of free-ranging cetaceans. Giuseppe said, “It was not even clear what species existed in the Mediterranean, and this is the mid-80s, so we’re not talking about 200 years ago.” So the first step

was to go out and collect that data. He set sail on the Ligurian Sea, the northwest Italian coast, and found the area was by far the most important for marine mammals in the Mediterranean, in terms of abundance and species diversity. Giuseppe found that all the species of cetaceans found in the Mediterranean—including giants like sperm and fin whales—were drawn to this part of the sea. He realized there must be something attracting them all here.

The bounty of sea life that brought the marine mammals to the area also appealed to fishermen. At the time, pelagic drift nets, huge artificial fiber nets often exceeding

Long-finned pilot whales

Photo credits: E. Lodigiani/Tethys

MEDITERRANEAN

10 kilometers long, were deployed massively by fishing vessels. Giuseppe saw them adrift everywhere, and they accidentally caught hundreds of whales, thousands of dolphins. In fact, even Giuseppe’s own research vessel was caught by these nets. He described it as a “massacre of cetaceans”. Feeling that the threat was too great, not only from the drift nets but the traffic and pollution, Giuseppe had the idea to promote the establishment of a first-of-its-kind international protected area in the high seas.

HOW IT ALL HAPPENED

At the time Giuseppe started thinking about a sanctuary in international waters, there was discussion about small coastal protected areas. These had been created elsewhere with success, but they only protected small areas with limited species. The real problem was out beyond the

coast, where whales and dolphins lived and hunted. Giuseppe knew they needed to “go into the open sea where the animals are, we needed to do something different.”

It was thought impossible, though. Not only was there a lack of time-deep data to justify such a significant project, but there was also no legal framework for creating such international protected areas. Most of the area Giuseppe was proposing was in international waters, where there were no legal tools or way to enforce any regulations that were made. He was told, “What are you talking about?” to which he responded, “What are you talking about? These animals don’t know about our imaginary lines, we need to protect them anyway.”

However, the idea was saved by the introduction of the revision of a protocol to

credits: N. Pierantonio/Tethys

Long-finned pilot whale

Photo

MEDITERRANEAN

the Barcelona Convention, which protects the marine environment and coastal region of the Mediterranean. In its revision, the protocol on specially protected areas to the Convention allowed for the establishment of protected areas in the Mediterranean high seas. With this new opportunity, Giuseppe’s next step was to find a backer for the proposal. Although there was little interest beyond tourism and commercial fishing, backers came from an unlikely source, the Rotary Club. They provided funding and organized a

from some well-timed changes to international legal thinking and auspicious meetings, but luck is often made, and the momentum created by passionate conservationists, most notably Giuseppe, carried the complex, never-beforeseen project over the finish line.

THE PELAGOS SANCTUARY IN ACTION

Just as quickly as the Pelagos agreement was made, the impact started to ripple across the

conference in Monaco in March 1991, with Giuseppe presenting to Prince Rainier III of Monaco. With the opportunity, the framework, and the backing from the Principality, things started progressing quickly. Giuseppe described it as “unimaginable”, the single idea making its way through the many legal processes and obstacles. Taking on a life of its own and with Italy’s Minister of the Environment, Carlo Ripa di Meana, and his French counterpart Segoléne Royal leading the negotiations, an agreement was reached between France, Italy, and Monaco to establish the Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals—a world’s first in an area beyond national jurisdiction. Giuseppe implies that the sanctuary benefited

area and beyond. Drift nets were banned in the sanctuary, removing the deadliest threat, and only two years later, in 2001, were they banned across the Mediterranean. While some illegal activity persists in small numbers today throughout the region, it was successfully eradicated from the sanctuary at the time the agreement came into force. In addition, the new status brought further recognition as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) named it a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area, one of the very few in the world. For ships traveling through the whales’ home, this adds a greater sense of responsibility and ownership for the captains.

Fin whales can be easily spotted from the boat

Photo credits: J. Picozzi/Tethys

Just as importantly, Giuseppe stressed, is that “the Pelagos has become an entity known by the people living there. Even in small villages up and down the French and Italian coasts, local people know that it is a special area home to an abundance of cetaceans.”

The good news is that these measures are clearly working. The Tethys Research Institute has the data to back it up, but Giuseppe knew the agreement was working when he took Prince Albert II of Monaco on a trip into the Pelagos Sanctuary for a documentary crew. He reflects, “It was a bit of a foolish idea, really,” because wild animals don’t stick to human schedules. But they set sail anyway! To everyone’s delight—and relief—a pod of dolphins greeted the boat as soon as they left the harbor. Then, 20 miles offshore, as if on cue, the vessel was surrounded by fin whales. The prince was, of course, ecstatic. According to Giuseppe, “There are very few places in the world where you can experience that.”

Most importantly, sperm whales have returned to the Pelagos Sanctuary. At the peak of pelagic drift net use, these whales had disappeared from the area completely. As intelligent beings, they knew many of their kin had died, so they knew the area was not safe and left the area. But since the founding of the sanctuary, having noticed that these waters were again safe, they have slowly returned. Giuseppe says that he “cannot as a scientist say that they determined the Pelagos is safe, but from common sense, the sperm whales have realized it. It’s the fact that there were none of them in the 90s, and now they are as common as fin whales.”

The Pelagos agreement has been a huge success, returning species to healthy populations, enforcing protective regulations, and changing the hearts and minds of local people. Whilst Giuseppe remains humble, it is clear that the success sanctuary was more than good luck. His ability to speak to both the scientific and emotional importance of protecting wildlife has pushed the project through the trials and

complications of international collaboration. However, the cetaceans in the sanctuary are not safe yet. There are still threats to the sustainability of marine mammals and progress to be made.

THE CHALLENGES THAT REMAIN

Even with the great success of the Pelagos Sanctuary and improvements to regulations and protections across the Mediterranean, there is still more work needed to secure the longevity and viability of the area’s marine mammal populations. Two key dangers were identified that

“THE PELAGOS HAS BECOME AN ENTITY KNOWN BY THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE. EVEN IN SMALL VILLAGES UP AND DOWN THE FRENCH AND ITALIAN COASTS, LOCAL PEOPLE KNOW THAT IT IS A SPECIAL AREA HOME TO AN ABUNDANCE OF CETACEANS.”

threaten the safety and well-being of cetaceans in the area: noise pollution and marine traffic. The busy shipping lanes and leisure boating create an extremely loud ocean environment. Scientists have found that this not only interferes with cetacean communication and navigation but can also lead to chronic stress from constant exposure. In addition to noise generated by shipping, super high decibel military or drilling operations can impair their hearing and cause panic, even leading some species to death.

But the noise issue can be addressed, building ships differently and using newer, quieter technology to step more gently on the ocean. However, Giuseppe admits that this may take a generation to rebuild, replace, and restructure enough ships to make an impact. In the meantime, it is important to be

mindful of how noise damages these animals and find even small ways to adapt.

The second major threat is collisions caused by ocean traffic. Ships of any size can do lethal damage, but speed is the most determinate cause of collision. Giuseppe calls for increased regulation backed by data to evidence its effectiveness. Science has demonstrated that there are no collisions happening under 10 knots, but above 14 knots, collisions become extremely likely. Unfortunately, measures to reduce speed are still adopted on a voluntary basis. Giuseppe explains, “Of all the categories of ships, the ferries in particular cannot adopt the measures if they are voluntary… Some of them travel at speeds exceeding 25 knots. Should one company decide to be responsible and reduce to 12, all passengers will turn to the competition that will allow them to reach their destination in half the time.” This results in an impasse for marine conservation because the system cannot embrace these changes in a competitive market. Giuseppe advocates for

governments to enforce mandatory regulations. Or perhaps facilitating collaboration between the ferry services is the answer. However, as it stands now, the ferries continue to travel at lethal speeds.

Whilst addressing these issues is a priority, Giuseppe says the most important need is “for everybody to be convinced that they want to coexist with these environments, with these animals, in the best possible way. I think this is what Pelagos Sanctuary is achieving.”

WHAT CAN WE DO?

When faced with the extent of commercial industry, international partnership agreements, and ultimately the broad, international scale of the oceans, it’s hard to see how we individuals fit in. What can regular people contribute, and where can we make positive change?

As Giuseppe points out, marine management itself is done by institutions and not citizens. But

Striped dolphin

Photo credits: A. Messora/Tethys

MEDITERRANEAN

he also shares how important it is “to keep alive the idea that we want this!”. To those of us feeling passionate yet powerless, Giuseppe advises us to speak to the media, politicians, and corporations, and to keep reiterating that we collectively care about this and we demand to see change.

It can be easy not to think about the special environments that exist off the horizon and out of sight, but knowing that they are there, understanding them, and advocating for them is something that we can all do. After decades of marine research and advocacy, Giuseppe says that we, as a society, have not done enough to protect the oceans, but that does not mean it’s too late.

“WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND AND KNOW ABOUT THE SEA, IT ENRICHES YOU. IT’S MORE THAN A PLACE TO GO GET A TAN, ENJOY A HOLIDAY. IT’S A PLACE TO ENJOY INTELLECTUALLY AND SPIRITUALLY. WE ARE PART OF ONE THING; THE OCEAN IS PART OF OUR WORLD JUST AS MUCH AS THE LAND WHERE WE LIVE MOST OF OUR LIVES.”

Website www.tethys.org

Instagram @tethys_research

Facebook @Tethys Research Institute

LinkedIn @Tethys Research Institute

Sperm whale

Photo credits: V. Frassa/Tethys

JOIN MARINE BIOLOGISTS IN THE FIELD: A CITIZEN SCIENCE EXPERIENCE WITH TETHYS

More than ever, science is opening its doors to everyone. Today, the collaboration between researchers and citizens is expanding scientific knowledge and strengthening efforts to protect the natural world. For 38 years, the Tethys Research Institute has championed this approach through its citizen science programme, a hands-on opportunity to support marine mammal conservation in the Mediterranean.

At the core of Tethys’ work is the Cetacean Sanctuary Research project, based in the Pelagos Sanctuary, where eight species of whales and dolphins are regularly observed. From late May to October, participants are invited to join research expeditions at sea, working side by side with marine biologists. Unlike most citizen science projects, which involve volunteers collecting data independently, this project offers participants the unique opportunity to work directly alongside researchers at sea, encountering Mediterranean fin whales, sperm whales, Cuvier’s beaked whales and several dolphin species in the wild. Participants do not need any specific training or sailing experience: each day, an informal science briefing will be held to explain the techniques and objectives of the research and to raise awareness of marine protection, allowing anyone to live a truly immersive experience as a marine biologist.

Join the expedition: www.whalesanddolphins.tethys.org

ENDANGERED SPECIES: MOUNTAIN BONGO

One of Africa’s largest forest-dwelling antelopes is under severe threat— potentially making it one of the most endangered large mammals on the continent. The mountain bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci), native to Kenya’s highlands, has experienced a dramatic population decline. The latest estimates put their population at fewer than 80 individuals in the wild.

These last survivors are fragmented across four isolated populations in different regions across Kenya’s highlands—far below the numbers needed to sustain a viable, genetically healthy population.

Yet, all is not lost. Conservation organizations on the ground—like Rhino Ark, Mountain Bongo Surveillance Project, and the Kenya Wildlife Service—are working tirelessly to protect this emblematic species from extinction.

Written by Tobias van Krieken

Mountain bongo coat markings

Stunning young female

Photo credits: Llewellyn Haines, Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo in Partnership with Rhino Ark Kenya

QUICK FACTS

• Species: Mountain bongo

• Scientific name: Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci

• Range: Kenyan highlands

• Habitat: Montane forests

• Weight: 150-235kg (females), 220-405 kg (males)

• Height: 110–130 cm at the shoulder

• Group size: Historically up to 20 or more - herds have been observed as large as 50 animals strong; now usually smaller groups

• IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered

• Official wild population: >100 individuals

• Current estimates: >80 individuals and trending downwards

CHARACTERISTICS AND HABITAT

Recognizable by their reddish-brown coat, contrasting black markings, and distinctive white paintbrush stripes along their flanks and long, spiraled horns, mountain bongos are even more endangered than their lowland relatives. This subspecies is found only in small, fragmented pockets of Kenya’s montane forests.

They prefer disturbed forest mosaics—areas shaped by natural clearings from elephants, fire, or flooding. Here, they browse on a rich diet of lowlevel green vegetation, including herbs, shrubs, bark, and roots. They also seek out natural salt licks and even consume charred wood to supplement their mineral intake.

While now observed in small groups only, mountain bongos once foraged in larger herds of up to 20 individuals or more. There are even records of herds consisting of up to 50 individuals in the Aberdare and South West Mau ecosystems, with breeding bulls remaining slightly apart from the females and juveniles.

“MOUNTAIN BONGO IS A COW-SIZED ANTELOPE—WHICH IS HUGE FOR A

FOREST-DWELLING SPECIES—AND AS BROWSERS, THEIR PRESENCE IN AN ECOSYSTEM WILL SHAPE THE ASSEMBLAGE OF PLANTS.”

HISTORICAL THREATS AND POPULATION DECLINE

The mountain bongo once roamed freely across four major highland forests in Kenya: the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, the Mau Forest Complex, and the Cherangani Hills. Today, they survive in only two or three regions, with local extinction confirmed in areas like Mount Kenya, where the last camera trap sighting captured a lone female in the Ragati forest in July 2019.

The most significant cause of their decline was the hunting and over-hunting, as well as live capture of individuals for zoo placement in the 1970s, drastically reducing wild populations. With fewer animals left, additional pressures—once buffered by healthy numbers—became devastating.

Cultural beliefs that once protected the species in certain regions—in which killing or eating mountain bongo would result in seizures and madness— have faded, giving way to increased poaching. Meanwhile, human encroachment, deforestation, and agricultural expansion have fragmented and

degraded their habitat. The spread of diseases, such as rinderpest (causing fever, diarrhea, and lymphoid necrosis, often resulting in death), from nearby livestock has added to the threat. However, the greatest current threat to the mountain bongo is the dramatic decline in overall population and herd size, which has led to a sharp drop in genetic diversity, pushing the species to the brink of extinction in the wild.

Due to their low numbers and elusive nature, field research is extremely limited. This makes it challenging to track current population trends and develop adequate, well-founded conservation action plans.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS

To prevent this species’ extinction in the wild, conservation organizations, government agencies, and local communities are collaborating to stabilize and recover mountain bongo populations.

Data from captive populations has been vital, but efforts are underway to improve our

KENYA

KENYA

understanding of their behavior and habitat needs in the wild. Former hunters and residents are being enlisted as conservation allies, helping to create a better understanding of the bongo’s natural behavior and home ranges.

Currently, conservation organizations are taking a broad and elaborate approach to effectively help the bongos survive. They are focusing on habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols and ranger training, captive breeding and rewilding programs, and community outreach and education.

A SECURE REINTRODUCTION SITE

As the mountain bongo nears extinction in the wild, conservationists are turning to the global captive population as a lifeline for reintroduction— beginning at Mount Kenya. Rhino Ark (in partnership with the Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo) is a leading force in mountain bongo recovery,

and is preparing to soft-release captive-bred individuals into a secure sanctuary: the Ragati Mountain Bongo Security and Reintroduction Site.

The Ragati and Chehe forests lie at the heart of this rewilding effort. With the first phase of the reintroduction site complete, the remainder of buildings, paddocks and enclosures will be completed later this year, after which it will be ready to receive its first animals. Conservationists plan to soft-release individuals from breeding sanctuaries within Kenya, initially into a fenced, closely monitored area within the forest. Gradually, the animals will gain access to a wider range and greater freedom. The goal is to introduce five to ten bongos per year over the next decade. If successful, these reintroduced bongos will form cohesive breeding herds, gradually establishing a self-sustaining wild population across the greater Ragati-Chehe ecosystem.

With captive breeding efforts ongoing in Kenya

Sun shining over the Ragati River

Photo credits: DJ Sheppard, Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo in Partnership with Rhino Ark Kenya

“THIS IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN WHICH THEY EXIST. IF THEY CAN’T BE SAVED IN KENYA, THEY DON’T HAVE A SECOND CHANCE ANYWHERE ELSE.”

(and the United States and Europe), carefully selected individuals, bred through complex programs, are being prepared for their release. Meanwhile, local Kenyan communities are being trained and employed to maintain forest trails, monitor the release zone, map suitable habitats, and serve as forest rangers. The outlook for the entire program is promising, thanks in large part to a conservation approach deeply rooted in community stewardship.

Thanks to the passion, expertise, and collaboration of Rhino Ark and its partners, this iconic and elusive antelope may yet reclaim its place in the wild. We eagerly look to the next ten years—and the possibility of seeing mountain bongos thrive once again in their native forests.

Mum and young keeping a close watch

Photo credits: DJ Sheppard, Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo in Partnership with Rhino Ark Kenya

Photo credits: Matthias Kern

Written by Thijs Montalvo

NATURE’S OLDEST RHYTHMS ARE CARVED WITHIN US ALL

Not all of our time in the natural world is characterized by moments of surreal vividness; rather, like our everyday lives, they are made up of the mundane. Whether you’re out on a stroll, a multi-day hike, or on a big-game safari, you won’t always catch the perfect moment of sunlight reflecting off rippling water or witness the surreal communication of African wild dogs on the hunt. You will sometimes even struggle to step outside your mind and become conscious of the present, thinking about the emails you need to reply to, kids to be picked up, and meals to be arranged. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve given valuable time and money to see nature’s most epic spectacles. However, as Conscious Explorer founder Daniel Kaul will tell you, this is all part of the process of reconnecting, “we want people to slow down,” and is central to the philosophy which drives his organizations, Natucate and Conscious Explorer.

Photo credits: Matthias Kern

BOTSWANA

For Daniel, the feeling of the vastness of remote, open spaces where one can sink into the rhythms of nature is “true luxury”. We live in a world that moves at a frenetic pace: technologies emerge instantaneously, global tensions appear at the drop of a pin, and endless cycles of new media take up our attention. There is no space to slow down and be present in the rhythms of life around us. And yet, according to Daniel, our minds long to reconnect to this rhythm; we just need time. “Usually the transformation from ‘office-mode’ takes two, three days, and then you start to see.”

No matter our place on Earth, life’s patterns move around us. We begin to witness the slow migratory movements of wildlife across our lands, seasons of bounty and drought, the rising and setting of the sun, the raising of young, and

the long hours spent feeding and resting bodies. Long, mundane stretches of what life is on Earth as a living organism. It is here that we begin to see in the stories of others, ourselves as part of life’s blossoming branches.

Now close your eyes and imagine the rhythms of more intact ecosystems… Here, life’s bounty is impossible to ignore. There are so many of life’s patterns to witness, landscapes to observe, emotions to feel, and precious connections to nurture. One can sleep and awaken with the emergence of the stars and sun above and hike for hours and hours through backcountry areas where mind-blowing scenes and imagery await. For Daniel, such experiences are where it all began.

As a geography student with the American Conservation Experience, he lived and worked in places like Rocky Mountain National Park, California, and Arizona. Here, he first felt the vastness of these places and sank into their rhythms—“it was a life changer,” Daniel shared. And it was this foundational experience that sparked a small, simmering cinder upon his eventual creation, which would become Natucate and Conscious Explorer. The goal: to give people the chance to experience what he felt during those long days in the West and guide them in spaces where life’s rhythms beat just a little bit louder. A small solution to the much larger global problem: How to get people to connect and respect the natural world?

And yet, the inspiration that would become Natucate and Conscious Explorer would take some time to grow and be realized. Upon graduating, Daniel spent six years in the technology and software industry before launching into a drastic career change after, as he shared, “failing to see the purpose of it.” A switch where he reflected and realized he wanted to create those experiences he had in the West for more people. One trip and

guide course in South Africa later, where he “lived with the rhythm of the sun and saw elephants in the wild… it all just clicked.” The philosophy behind conscious, educational, and meaningful travel/exploration was born—first in the form of Natucate, and later, Conscious Explorer emerged.

“WITH NATUCATE AND CONSCIOUS EXPLORER, WE SEE OURSELVES AS A MATCHMAKER BETWEEN NGOS OR ECOTOURISM AND PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN PROJECTS, BUT ARE NOT AWARE OF THEM. WE SEE OURSELVES AS A MIDDLEMAN, TO

RECOMMEND PROJECTS OR NGOS, TO EITHER PARTICIPATE IN OR DONATE TO THEM.”

Daniel Kaul. Photo credits: Matthias Kern

Natucate and Conscious Explorer try to set the standards for what meaningful travel experiences are. “We don’t disturb the animals as we don’t want to spoil their behaviors [and strongly avoid touching or feeding projects]... we discourage 24/7 mobile signal or Wi-Fi… we want to spark the interests of the clients by asking what they would like to do/ learn.” They want people to travel slowly, “usually two or three weeks in one spot” and observe often overlooked creatures such as the pouched mouse, “simply feeding for thirty minutes” or termites, “who regulate the temperature of their structures”. And of course, as with all intact ecosystems, there are moments of witnessing vivid scenes, like “zebras against the backdrop of the ocean” and experiencing strong emotions when “seeing wild dog puppies killed, knowing there are only a few left in the world.”

And for many travelers, these experiences can be profound. “We often have people crying at special [wildlife] sightings, sunsets, as they take time to

reflect on challenges they’ve had or the past… There [in nature] you have time to process stuff, and everyone’s processing.” These moments of profoundness can also lead to life changes, with Daniel listing off many examples of university students switching to nature conservation or forestry careers and older travelers quitting jobs and making career switches into fields that align more with their values. For Daniel, there is real joy in laying a foundation for people looking to start a new way of living or reconnect to the oldest rhythms around us. It is this approach that has clients returning year after year and even starting large fundraising campaigns when they arrive home. By “sparking the conservation passion within them,” travelers begin to care and find meaning in their travels and raise an alarm to what is happening to the natural world.

While Natucate is slightly limited as a result of where they can promote travel as a travel company, Conscious Explorer picks up the

Photo credits: Matthias Kern

Wilderness Trail

Photo credits: Matthias Kern

“WE OFTEN HAVE PEOPLE CRYING AT SPECIAL [WILDLIFE] SIGHTINGS, SUNSETS, AS THEY TAKE TIME TO REFLECT ON CHALLENGES THEY’VE HAD OR THE PAST… THERE [IN NATURE] YOU HAVE TIME TO PROCESS STUFF, AND EVERYONE’S PROCESSING.”

rest by acting as a platform that can promote conservation projects around the globe and shine a light on them. This came after wanting to support organizations that are more difficult to travel to but align with Natucate’s conservation and ecotourism values. Conscious Explorer acts as the storytelling branch of what Conscious Travel experiences are, by telling interesting stories about nature and offering insights into meaningful nature-based travel opportunities around the globe.

For Daniel, it is important that all partners and travels that he promotes align with the values and missions of Conscious Travel and support conservation, either through education or supporting local communities. He strongly believes partners must involve local communities in their staff and that tourism must benefit those in communities. From this, Natucate and Conscious Explorer have gained a reputation that has attracted like-minded organizations and people. At the same time, he believes keeping the number of partners smaller allows him to also invest in those relationships and communities while also retaining the higher standards of what meaningful travel should be. This has resulted in some beautiful instances of Natucate’s (and its partners’) ecotourism leading to better nature conservation.

One example that personifies everything which Natucate and Conscious Explorer look for in a partner is The Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme (MWSRP), an NGO working with whale sharks in the Maldives. Here, they study whale sharks (an understudied species) as well as research how the tourism industry is conducting itself around the sharks. From this research, which Daniel was also able to participate in, a code of conduct for all guides was developed, which stresses the importance of keeping proper distances and minimizing a change in whale shark behavior. This was in response to certain tour operators not respecting the required distances to minimize behavioral changes. “That was a once in a lifetime experience for me, to swim, pretty much alone, with whale sharks and then to also see the downsides of [certain] touristic experiences, to see the full picture,” a picture where change was required and successfully implemented with the help of Natucate’s support.

Nowadays, Daniel no longer goes on every travel experience but has a strong team of trusted organizations and individuals he leaves his clients in the hands of. While he misses spending more time in countries such as South Africa, he remains committed to his overall mission and is always on the lookout to expand to other parts of the globe and share the uniqueness of different ecosystems

Photo credits: Matthias Kern

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with others. Besides sharing his own story he also took some time to reflect upon his career and share his advice to others who may be inspired by his words and mission. Like all of his experiences, his words find a way to leave an indelible mark and ring with the truth of someone who is living the words they themselves preach.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN EXPERIENCING AND WORKING IN NATURE?

“Be open to making mistakes, but go with the passion, go with the gut feeling. Follow your passion, I really believe you should do something that you are passionate about. You may have less pay, but you will be much happier, and long term it will pay off. And practice loyalty and being authentic to yourself. Stick to your own words, if it doesn’t feel good in the beginning, it won’t feel good in the end.”

AND FOR THOSE WHO FEEL A BIT STUCK AND ARE THINKING OF SWITCHING CAREERS?

“Don’t be afraid of changes. When you grow up in Germany and make a career change like I did, so many people told me that’s a completely stupid decision. They asked, ‘Why would you do that, you’ve jumped into completely cold water without any security?’. Forget that, you just need to do it. And the experience will always be successful in some way. I always tell my sabbatical clients (who travel with Natucate), ‘if you come back and you know you’re happy with your job, then you will be happy again,’ but don’t live in the what-ifs. Of course, don’t make rash money decisions and keep a safeguard, but you need to try things. You always hear negative examples, but I know plenty of examples where it completely worked, even after complete career changes, even after 45, I know people who are now in conservation or something related to nature tourism. There’s always a way if your drive is strong enough.”

“FOR ME, WILDERNESS IS LUXURY. THE REAL LUXURY IS WILDERNESS, REMOTE WILDERNESS. AND I THINK SEARCHING FOR THAT UNIQUENESS AND CONNECTING WITH NATURE WITH THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TIME IS THE MOST SPECIAL FEELING.”

Websites

www.conscious-explorer.com www.natucate.com/en

Instagram

@conscious.explorer

@natucate

Facebook

@Conscious Explorer

@Natucate

LinkedIn

@Conscious Explorer

@Natucate

@Daniel Kaul

HIMALAYAN NATURE

RHINOS, ROOTS & RESILIENCE

Grazing rhinos

Photo credits: Laba KC

When you think of Nepal, what comes to mind? The vibrant city of Kathmandu nestled under the Himalayan peaks? Sherpas guiding tourists up Everest? Flavorful food rich with history and culture? It’s a country with so much to offer, yet few know of the gentle giants that roam this diverse landscape—the greater one-horned rhino.

Just sixty years ago, these iconic animals were dying out, with only 100 remaining in the wild in Nepal. Now, over 750 wild one-horned rhinos are roaming the Himalayas. At the heart of this work is Himalayan Nature, a non-profit research and conservation institute founded in 2000. Its mission? To see prosperous communities living in harmony with nature. A bold goal in a region where over 80% of people living in protected areas belong to marginalized, low-income groups, who depend on natural resources for daily survival.

“We work to connect sustainable livelihoods with conservation,” says Laba KC, Senior Program Officer at Himalayan Nature. Born and raised in rural Kathmandu, Laba’s love for biodiversity began young, inspired by memories of wild boars tearing through farmland and the birds that soared over nearby forests. “That connection with nature has stayed with me ever since.”

Written by Cara Blackburn

NEPAL

A HARMONIOUS MISSION

Laba went on to study Environmental Science, drawn to biodiversity conservation and the protection of high-value species. “I’ve always been fascinated by the balance of ecosystems—how everything has a role,” he reflects. That understanding led him to Himalayan Nature, where he now helps to lead conservation projects that span the region’s forests, grasslands, and wetlands.

“IF

WE DON’T ACT NOW, WE RISK UNDOING DECADES OF PROGRESS.”

Nepal is incredibly diverse—geographically, culturally, and ecologically. From the soaring Himalayan peaks in the north to the flat, humid plains of the south, the country is home to snow leopards, Bengal tigers, black bears, and, of course, the greater one-horned rhino. Religion and tradition also run deep here; over 80% of the population identify as Hindu, and many Nepali cultural beliefs are rooted in reverence for the natural world. “We worship rivers, forests, even snakes,” Laba explains. “Nature is a part of us.”

It’s within this complex mosaic that Himalayan Nature works—blending scientific research with traditional knowledge, and supporting both people and wildlife to thrive.

GREAT IMPACTS

The greater one-horned rhino (also known as the Indian rhino) is one of the world’s most extraordinary large mammals. Known for their single black horn and armor-like skin, they are ecosystem engineers: clearing grasslands, dispersing seeds, and creating habitats that support a wealth of other species. But they’ve faced devastating threats. Habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion, poaching, and increasingly, human-wildlife conflict, has pushed the species to the brink. Nepal shares an open border with India, where cross-border poaching and the illegal wildlife trade pose real risks. Meanwhile, growing wildlife populations, including tigers, elephants, and ungulates, have put more pressure on already limited habitat space.

“Rhinos damage crops, which can be devastating for small-scale farmers,” says Laba. “And when people rely on the forest to survive, it creates conflict.” Without new strategies to share land and reduce dependency on forests, conservation efforts risk turning local communities into unintended casualties. A notion Laba is all too familiar with, having personal experiences of communal loss and devastation as a result of wildlife conflict.

Growing up in the rural area of Budhanilkantha, near the Shivapuri National Park, Laba was surrounded by nature throughout his childhood. He can personally recall multiple occasions where wild animals entered his community’s settlement and caused destruction and devastation, with one particular incident having a more personal impact: “I have a vivid memory of my family dog being snatched from our home by a leopard”. While many blame the wildlife for their losses, creating further conflicts, this wasn’t the case for Laba. He used these experiences as a catalyst for change, driven to create a better future for humans and wildlife alike.

Photo credits: Laba KC

Photo credits: Laba KC

NEPAL

Himalayan Nature’s role is focused on promoting community resilience and mitigating conflict.

The organization works closely with communities that reside in protected areas to help them create a sustainable livelihood, reducing their reliance on forest resources and creating a more harmonious existence. By supporting sustainable alternatives, such as climate-adapted farming, nature-based enterprises, and responsible eco-tourism, they’re helping people and rhinos find ways to coexist.

CREATING COEXISTENCE

For many communities living near Nepal’s national parks, conservation hasn’t always felt inclusive. Despite living in the shadow of one of the country’s most successful tourism industries, many marginalized groups, including the Dalit communities (the Scheduled Castes), have seen little benefit.

That’s where Himalayan Nature is making a difference. Their programs provide skills training for local nature guides and homestay owners, helping them offer high-quality, eco-conscious services that attract tourists while preserving the environment. Crops like ginger, which are unpalatable to wildlife, are promoted as sustainable alternatives that protect both income and nature.

Education is another cornerstone. Schoolchildren and community members living near rhino habitats are taught how to avoid dangerous encounters with wildlife, understand local ecology, and take pride in their natural heritage. “We prioritize those closest to the forest,” says Laba. “They’re the ones who interact most with wildlife—they deserve to have the knowledge and tools to live safely and confidently.”

The results speak for themselves. Communities now manage their own forests, take part in habitat restoration, and contribute actively to rhino conservation efforts. “When people realize the rhino shares their habitat, that it’s not just a government animal, their attitude shifts. They feel ownership. They want to protect it.”

“COEXISTENCE IS POSSIBLE.”

Photos credits: Laba KC

Photo credits: Laba KC

A FUTURE WORTH SHARING

Looking ahead, Laba remains hopeful. Despite challenges—from climate change to funding cuts—he sees growing awareness, better tools, and renewed international interest. “Coexistence is possible,” he says simply. “We’ve seen it.”

New technologies like camera traps and drones are making rhino monitoring more efficient, and partnerships with national park authorities, NGOs, and local governments are strengthening conservation systems. Yet for all the innovation, Laba believes it’s the traditional knowledge and community-led approaches that hold the greatest promise.

Rhinos, after all, are more than just a species to save; they are symbols of balance, biodiversity, and possibility. They are reminders that conservation is not just about protecting animals, but about protecting the systems we all depend on—and the people who live closest to them.

Photo credits: Laba KC

HOW YOU CAN HELP

For those of us outside Nepal, supporting projects like Himalayan Nature means more than donating. It means staying informed, amplifying their work, and advocating for the inclusion of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge in global environmental policy.

“Resources are shrinking,” Laba warns. “But this work is crucial—not just for Nepal, but for the world.” Without the proper resources, projects like Himalayan Nature cannot continue with their lifesaving work. Due to the lack of government funding for conservation projects in Nepal, international funding is crucial for their endeavors. Another vital resource is knowledge sharing and technical assistance. Himalayan Nature is keen to replicate successful conservation methods from across the world into their work to ensure the continued survival of Nepal’s native species.

If there’s one thing Laba wishes more people understood, it’s that rhino conservation is not just about numbers. It’s about livelihoods, landscapes, and legacy. And it’s far from finished.

Nepal is more than its mountains. It’s a place where tradition, spirituality, and science often coincide. It’s a country of diverse landscapes from snowy summits to tropical forests. A home to people of many cultures, languages, and faiths, all united by resilience. It’s also home to the gentle giants of the grasslands, the greater one-horned rhinos, whose survival depends not just on conservation, but on community. These magnificent beings’ lives are in the hands of the likes of Himalayan Nature and the communities they serve—an existence which is wholly dependent on a wilder, fairer future.

Photo credits: Laba KC

COLOFON

DIRECTOR

Manon Verijdt

ART DIRECTOR

Arina van Londen

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Vincent Seydoux

Arina van Londen

Jacinta Breijer

CHIEF DIGITAL OFFICER

Tobias van Krieken

ILLUSTRATOR

Stacy Hsu

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

Tobias van Krieken, Joosje Heringa

Nathan Turnbull, Thijs Montalvo

Marc Kranendonk, Cara Blackburn

Will Westwood, Hedda Thomson Ek

Megan Abigail White, Katy Ellis

Rina Herzl

SOCIAL MEDIA

Joosje Heringa

Megan Abigail White

Reinhard Venzke

CONTRIBUTED TO THIS EDITION

Mike Brampton, Laba KC, Beryl Makori

Michael Koskei, Ebony Escalona

Emilia Diers, Daniel Kaul, Rebekka Stutz

Menno Valkenburg, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara

Donna Sheppard, Rodrigo Bernal

Luis Santiago Castillo Martinez, Jaime Monsalve

Marino Toro, Diana Bedoya and thanks to all contributing photographers!

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