May 2009

Programme support

Realm of the Red Ape Programme

Saving Critically Endangered species from extinction usually requires a holistic approach which encompasses different project components.  In the case of the Sumatran Rhino, a project in Way Kambas National Park is both protecting wild Sumatran Rhinos and developing a captive breeding programme, with the eventual aim of releasing rhinos back into the wild.  We supported the Sumatran Rhino Conservation and Propagation project in 2008 and provided support again this year to help protect the species.

Black Rhino Programme

The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary in Tanzania holds nine Eastern Black Rhinos, and is currently aiming to increase this population so that it can play an even greater role in conserving Black Rhino in Tanzania. To do this the breeding potential of the Mkomazi population needs to be improved by moving in new animals.  Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic agreed to donate three rhinos from the European Breeding Programme (EEP) in 2009 to Mkomazi.  Chester Zoo donated funds in May to support this important translocation.

Grant support

There are many species which aren’t as familiar to us as elephants, rhinos and tigers, and conservationists are still unsure how many of these less well-known species are left in the wild.  Providing support for projects which focus on improving our knowledge of these species is just as important to us as those focusing on the more commonly known species.

Maroon Langur

Little is known about the Maroon Langur, a primate endemic to Borneo.  We have recently supported a project which will improve our knowledge of the species.  The project will research the ecology of the Maroon Langur in peat swamp habitat and will build on information regarding the population density, loss of habitat and the feeding behaviour.   The research will contribute to future conservation actions and provide information to more accurately assess the threat facing this species.

Richard Hughes Scholarship

Every year, Chester Zoo runs the Richard Hughes Scholarship to support individuals wishing to undertake activities or projects concerned with elephant management, welfare or conservation.  This year, Mamatha Sathyanarayana was awarded the Scholarship for her project Learning to live with elephants: A novel education programme for local people who live in and around HEC areas in Karnataka, South India.

We have also funded the following projects this month:

• Sun Bears in human-dominated landscapes: Distribution, population trends and conflicts
• Research and Actions for the community-based management of the Tanoé forest, Côte d’Ivoire: Primate conservation and poverty alleviation