Created in 2012, Niger’s Termit and Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve is the last region of the Sahara relatively undisturbed by human activity. But expanding oil exploration threatens this sanctuary for 130 bird and 17 mammal species, including the critically endangered addax (Addax nasomaculatus).
August 2, 2019. Created in 2012, Niger’s Termit and Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve is the last region of the Sahara relatively undisturbed by human activity. But expanding oil exploration threatens this sanctuary for 130 bird and 17 mammal species, including the critically endangered addax.
SCF is pleased to announce the appointment of John Watkin as new CEO, replacing John Newby who will continue to serve as Senior Advisor to the organization. It is anticipated that John Watkin will officially begin work on August 1, providing sufficient time to complete an orderly handover.
John Watkin is a highly experienced conservationist who has been working in the field for more than 25 years, implementing diverse field projects in various countries of Central and East Africa. He has a track record of strong leadership on a range of issues central to SCF’s activities, such as protected area management, the conservation of endangered species, ecological monitoring, but also ecotourism and the role of local communities in conservation.
His passion for conservation stemmed from being born and raised in Kasama, Zambia for nine years before moving to New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) in the South Pacific, where he learned French. John completed his tertiary education in U.K. obtaining a B.Sc. in Applied Biology at Nottingham Trent University before graduating with a Master’s in Advanced Ecology from the University of Durham. The combination of his experience, drive and culture makes him an ideal fit for SCF’s next stages of growth. For more details on John Watkin’s background click here .
The former CEO and iconic founder of SCF, John Newby, was one of the first to express deep concerns on the decline of Sahelo-Saharan species. He is responsible for creating and growing the organization to where it sits today, as a leader on biodiversity conservation in this area of the world. SCF cannot thank him enough for his leadership and significant contributions to the science of conservation.
After a strategic planning process over the last year, and a comprehensive search to ensure a smooth leadership transition, SCF is confidently heading into a new era full of promise for its development, action, and impact.
The SCF Board and entire team sincerely thanks all its supporters, and hopes that one and all will be with SCF through this exciting new stage of its development.
June 28, 2019. The screening was held under the patronage of Dr Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, Ambassador of the UAE to China and in partnership with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and the Beijing Foreign Studies University.
April 22, 2019. NatureForm has partnered with the Sahara Conservation Fund (SCF) – an international non-profit organization, dedicated to conserving wildlife in the Sahara Desert – to help save the North African Red-necked ostrich.
8 West African giraffes (3 males and 5 females) ( Giraffa camelopardalis peralta ) were recently circulated from their area of Kouré 60 km south-east of Niamey, to the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve more than 800 km away. As part of Niger’s national West African giraffe conservation strategy, the aim of this operation is to provide secure and well-managed management of the area.
The Giraffe Conservation Foundation – Sahara Conservation Fund (GCF-SCF) team conducted a monitoring mission in the Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve in March. During this mission, the team is observing all of the translocated animals, which seems to be fully adapted to this “new” habitat after an absence of 50 years.
The eight giraffes had been split into two groups of four, but they quickly, instinctively, reunited once. They enjoy eating, Such as Acacia raddiana, Acacia nilotica , Zizihpus mauritania, Maerua crassifolia.
Every other day, they go to the pond of Filio, located in the central area of the reserve, to fulfill their water requirements.
Definitely a smooth and well-adapted adaptation, with the community agents recruited by GCF and the Niger Fauna Corridor Project!
The National Nature Reserve of Aïr and Ténéré in Niger is home to some iconic animal species – among which the dama gazelle (Nanger dama), one of the most endangered antelopes on the planet.
Due to human activity in the valleys – the dama gazelle has found refuge on the mountain Takoloukouzet, which is located in the reserve. The species is still listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN list with only a few hundred individuals still living in the wild.
Following a period of political instability in Northern Niger, the species was considered possibly extinct in the reserve. However, local populations mentioned the presence of some people in the near future. A joint mission of SCF and the Directorate of Wildlife Hunting and Parks and Reserves (DFC / PR) funded by the World Heritage Fund, finally confirmed this information.
In January 2017, SCF put thirteen camera traps in this area to learn more about the distribution of animals living there. The responsible is responsible for the reserve management. This would help determine what specific activities are needed for the conservation of the species in the area.
Every six months, members of SCF Niger ‘staff go on a mission on the Takolokouzet to collect data from the camera traps, check and move them, which allows to cover most of the area. In February, 4 Dama gazelles were observed and several indirect observations were made. A drone has also been given this time by both monitoring and mapping activities. This new tool will definitely make things easier on this difficult-to-access rough terrain.
In partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN), Kellé, Niger, created by SCF a few years ago. SCF’s ambitious goal to reintroduce the species into the wild. The recent installation of a solar-powered hatchery and incubation unit is now allowing the organization to get closer to this goal.
The containers have been successfully brought from the United States to Niger. The first is dedicated to the incubator, the second to the hatchery, the third is an office and a fourth one of all houses of the electrical equipment. A 2-week mission has been made to improve these facilities. In addition to SCF staff and members of WCN, the team is working on a system of operations.
The 110 solar panels on the containers, including 5 air conditioners – which are absolutely crucial to ensure optimal performance of the infrastructure.
Adequate humidity level is also mandatory to ensure successful incubation. That’s why pipes were used to connect the containers to a water drilling site located about 1 km away.
A satellite system will also be set up by the US-based engineers.
These facilities are expected to increase the ostrich birth rate, but also improve the working conditions on site. A good news for everyone! A good news for everyone!
SCF recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Morocco to provide technical assistance as part of the national efforts to conserve key species of the Sahara. Fieldwork has begun and is already leading to some interesting observations.
A recent field mission was conducted by Moroccan wildlife authorities as part of its national ungulate conservation strategy. From March 4 to 10, SCF was invited to visit 5 different sites in Southern Morocco and assess their potential suitability for further conservation activities. Recommendations on each visited site were provided by SCF Regional Program Officer Thomas Rabeil, including one site which is particularly appropriate for potential dama gazelle reintroduction.
Located in Assa’s province, the site identified to set up a large pen of 600 hectares is comparable to the most suitable wadis of Termit and Tin Toumma National Nature Reserve in Niger, where a few dozens of dama gazelles still live in the wild. Its hosts a high diversity of plant species known to be part of the Saharan antelope’s diet – and has a particular topography which offers refuge areas for the gazelles to hide and avoid predators.
Experts will soon discuss further a number of questions related to the reintroduction of dama gazelles into the wild during the upcoming annual Meeting for the Sahel and Sahara Conservation (April 30-May 2 in Tunis, Tunisia).
Photos © Thomas Rabeil
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is proud to announce the first two births of the 2019 calendar year — a dama gazelle and a silvered leaf langur. Both are considered at-risk species in their native ranges, and these births are important to helping to sustain their populations.
