Shrinking Habitats, Species Survival
Thurs 16th Oct, 7pm, The Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London
Some species are traditionally, and often unfairly, maligned, while other important species in remote areas are barely familiar to the general public. Tonight you will be hearing about conservation efforts by Earthwatch scientists and volunteers to create awareness of their plight, and to find solutions for their shrinking habitats.
Dr. Dawn Scott, University of Brighton
In South Africa the brown hyena is regionally threatened, with less than 1,700 individuals remaining. At least half of these animals are trying to survive in farmlands where they are often perceived as pests by landowners, being persecuted and killed as a result. Dr. Scott will be talking about the plight of the brown hyena in South Africa, and how the research she has been undertaking for the last four years, comparing the ecology of populations inside and outside reserves, is helping us to understand and hopefully conserve the remaining populations of these beautiful and shy animals.
Dr. Rich Reading, Denver Zoological Foundation
Mongolia is rich in wildlife, but many species are coming under increasing pressure from mineral exploitation, over-grazing by domestic livestock, and the provision of body parts for traditional Chinese medicine. This project initially focused on the extraordinary argali sheep, but expanded to include a wide range of other local species, from vultures to lizards. Using the data collected on the animal and plant ecology, our scientists have helped initiate conservation management activities. They also work closely with local people to increase their support for conservation, and, most importantly, they are training Mongolian ecologists and conservationists to conduct this work independently.
Earthwatch events kindly supported by
