Endangered species

Booklet of a series intended to give the general reader facts and information about fur-bearing mammals from a more conservation-oriented perspective than information generally available from other sources. It is based on the relevant SSC Action Plan and is well-illustrated with colour photographs and a centre-spread of sketches showing the animals in action, as well as containing a wealth of interesting information about each species' biology, feeding habits, breeding, and behaviour.

One of a series of six booklets intended to give the general reader facts and information about fur-bearing mammals from a more conservation-oriented perspective than information generally available from other sources. It is based on the relevant SSC Action Plan and is well-illustrated, with colour photographs and a centre-spread of sketches showing the animals in action, as well as containing a wealth of interesting information about each species' biology, feeding habits, breeding, and behaviour

Overview of the findings of regional TRAFFIC studies in Europe, India, East and Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Oceania and North and South America. It highlights the fisheries, shark products in trade, and the processing, preparation and use of these products in domestic and international markets. It also discusses the management and conservation implications.

The findings from investigations of sturgeon fisheries, and information from caviar importers in consuming countries, sturgeon specialists and fisheries agencies are presented. The exploitation of Caspian sturgeons is assessed, as is Caspian caviar production, its regulation or lack thereof, and its impact upon the number of sturgeons remaining. International trade is aslo analysed.

The "1994 Red List of Threatened Animals" was a major advance on its predecessors in clarity of layout and amount of information presented. This is taken further in the 1996 edition, which is also the first global compilation to use the complete new IUCN red list category system. Also for the first time, all mammal species have been assessed. This group and the birds are the only taxonomic classes where a comprehensive evaluation has been made.

This publication covers the aspects of crocodile conservation in Nepal, such as the range and status of Nepal's gharial and mugger species, causes for their decline, history of crocodile conservation in Nepal, including the captive breeding programme, and IUCN's Crocodile Conservation Project. It also covers crocodile research and training, releases and present stock, and strategy and management options for Nepal. A set of recommendations are also given.

With almost 5000 island and islets, the Mediterranean comprises one of the largest groups of islands in the world. With its wealth of species, high degree of endemism, long history and tolerance of all kinds of disruptions, it is of extremely high value to global biodiversity. However, over the last few decades, major socio-economic changes have increased the negative impact of human activity in the region and today, the islands are extremely vulnerable.

Increasing demands on the world's natural resources pose a serious threat to palm biodiversity. This action plan identifies the most threatened palm species in order to present recommendations for conservation measures that cater to their specific requirements, and to provide strategic guidelines for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of the many palms that provide food, construction material, and an important source of revenue for many people.

This action plan chronicles the threats faced by wild orchids, but more importantly to critical habitats that host extraordinarily high orchid diversity and endemicity. It explores and recommends specific ways that national and local government, legislators, scientists and orchid conservationists as well as growers can all help to reverse present trends.