WildCRU / Living with Tigers Project

ALL ABOUT TIGERS

Thank you to everyone who has come on our recent day trips and wildlife tours! We have donated to Oxford University's WildCRU to support the 'Living with Tigers project'. Here's more about their work and conservation research ........

Tiger populations in Nepal have increased by 63% since 2008 as a result of successful efforts to control illegal poaching. While it’s amazing news, it’s led to a new conservation challenge – protecting the tiger population and local communities from human-tiger conflict.

In the Terai lowlands of Nepal, a major initiative by the Nepal Government and conservation NGOs to enforce zero poaching of tigers has resulted in a recovery of tiger populations in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks.

However, the regions surrounding these parks also have some of Nepal’s most dense rural human population, composed mainly of very poor communities that rely heavily on forest resources. As a result, there has been an increase in human-tiger conflict, with people and livestock being attacked by tigers.

To help prevent Nepal’s success in tiger conservation being undermined by this conflict, WildCRU has teamed up with the Nepalese organisation 'Green Governance Nepal' to engage the communities around Chitwan and Bardia in devising participatory approaches to ensure their safety, improve their livelihoods, and prevent retaliatory killing of tigers.

To this end, WildCRU are working with around 1200 households across eight communities around these parks. Their work involves implementing practical measures to improve the safety of people and livestock; developing supplementary livelihood opportunities to reduce dependence on the forested areas where tigers live, and addressing behaviours which put both people and tigers at great risk.

If you are thinking how can I help 'save the tiger' - Read, donate or know more about WildCRU's work

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WildCRU / Andean Bear Project

THE ANDEAN BEAR PROJECT 

This month we are donating to WildCRU's research 'Andean Bear Project' 

Thank you to everyone who attended our most recent hikes and wildlife tours!

Read all about what they do here.

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This conservation initiative is the first of its kind in Bolivia, and aims to study the population dynamics of bears and the drivers of human-bear conflict in the andean bear habitat, the dry forests of Bolivia.

The dry forests of the Andes are being cut down to make way for agricultural land, oil extraction and the building of new roads. This development is pushing the species closer to extinction. The bear plays a vital role in the survival of these dry forests by dispersing seeds from the fruit that they eat. As a result of their homes shrinking they are wandering into agricultural land in the search for food. This has led to tension between local communities and the bears; they are being hunted and killed in retaliation for damaging crops and livestock.

This is a joint project between Chester Zoo and WildCRU that aims to study the population dynamics of bears and the drivers of human-bear conflict occurring in the Andean dry forests of Tarija, Bolivia; an ecosystem already identified as a priority for Andean bear research and conservation.

The species is currently listed by the IUCN as ‘Vulnerable’ across its range. The categorisation of the Andean bear is based on population trends, habitat models and levels of human-bear conflict. This project will generate the first population estimates in southern Bolivia, quantify the levels of human-bear conflict, and together with the communities, develop measures to reduce conflict.

More bear info, visit here WILDCRU If you would like to donate to the andean bear project then please click here: ANDEAN BEAR PROJECT

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