Africa

This report, compiled by 85 experts from across the world, reveals that nearly half of all primate species are now in danger of becoming extinct from destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade and commercial bushmeat hunting. The list includes five primate species from Madagascar, six from Africa, 11 from Asia, and three from Central and South America, all of which are the most in need of urgent conservation action.

The IUCN initiative “Strengthening Voices for Better Choices” (SVBC) is piloting improved forest governance arrangements, among others in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This study was conducted in the Equator Province to try to answer questions about good forest governance, accountability arrangements, and the potential of SVBC-established structures to improve forest governance, among others. It also provides recommendations for further action research on accountability arrangements.

This volume gives the most up-to-date information on the distributions and conservation status of species in all inland water ecosystems across mainland continental Africa and the reasons behind their declining status. This represents the most comprehensive assessment yet of freshwater biodiversity at the species level for an entire continent. For managers, this information will assist in designing and delivering targeted action to mitigate and minimise these threats.

Translocation has become routine in a number of African range states and has played a key role in increasing both white and black rhino numbers. Although less frequent in Asia, expertise and input was sought from many Asian rhino range states and has been incorporated into these guidelines. This authoritative set of guidelines seeks to share and synthesise the knowledge and experience of rhino translocations in Africa and Asia, and to provide decision makers and senior wildlife managers with guidelines on “best practice” for the translocation of African and Asian rhinos.

Some of the most important decisions in wildlife management in Africa revolve around elephants. Where elephant densities increase the impact of elephants on their habitats and other species may also increase. Depending on local values and/or the land-use objectives, this impact is often seen as undesirable. Information about attempts to control wild populations of elephants is generally not readily accessible to the relevant managers and conservation authorities in Africa.

Les chances de conserver ces grands singes en danger seront considérablement améliorées si les compagnies forestières sont prêtes à apporter quelques aménagements à leur politique de gestion des concessions forestières. Les présentes lignes directrices contiennent des recommandations précises pour réduire l'impact de l'exploitation forestière commerciale sur les grands singes sauvages, beaucoup de ces recommandations pouvant être appliquées dans un cadre d'exploitation durable, à impact réduit et avec peu, voire pas, de frais additionnels.

The conservation outlook of these endangered apes will improve significantly if forestry companies are prepared to make a few changes to management policies in logging concessions. These guidelines outline specific recommendations for reducing the impact of commercial logging on wild apes, many of which can be implemented within the framework of sustainable, reduced-impact logging at little or no additional cost. Advantages will also accrue for logging companies which rapidly implement these measures, allowing them to be recognized as 'ape-friendly' timber producers.

The African Convention on the conservation of nature and natural resources was adopted in 1968 in Algiers. Considered the most forward looking regional agreement of the time, it influenced significantly the development of environmental law in Africa. Two and a half decades of intense developments in international environmental law made it necessary to revise this treaty, update its provisions and enlarge its scope. This was undertaken under the auspices of the African Union (previously OAU), and the revision was adopted by its Heads of State and Government in July 2003 in Maputo.

The African Elephant Database is a spatial database used to store, manage, analyze and disseminate information on the distribution and abundance of elephant populations on the African continent, in order to provide a current and accurate picture of the status African elephants. Elephants are the largest living land mammals, and their potential impact on their habitats raises important management issues both for protected areas and unprotected land.