http://www.albertinerift.org RSS feeds for Albertine Rift 60 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11387/Rapport-inventaires-biodiversite-PNKB.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=11387 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11387&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11387/Rapport-inventaires-biodiversite-PNKB.aspx WCS has just published the results of the most comprehensive assessment of the biodiversity of the Kahuzi Biega National Park... pnsubuga@wcs.org Mon, 02 Jul 2018 09:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11387 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11146/A-new-study-published-in-Biological-Conservation-shows-that-on-average-the-endemic-species-of-the-Albertine-Rift-have-already-lost-38-of-their-suitable-habitat.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=11146 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=11146&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/11146/A-new-study-published-in-Biological-Conservation-shows-that-on-average-the-endemic-species-of-the-Albertine-Rift-have-already-lost-38-of-their-suitable-habitat.aspx A new study just published in Biological Conservation shows that on average the endemic species of the Albertine Rift have already lost 38% of their suitable habitat to agriculture and settlement and that it is predicted that climate change will cause a further loss of 76% of suitable habitat by 2080. Given these changes of the 162 endemic species assessed, 46% should be classified as globally threatened. pnsubuga@wcs.org Tue, 13 Mar 2018 09:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:11146 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/10950/Conservation-Action-Plan-for-Albertine-Rift-identifies-key-sites-and-species.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=10950 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=10950&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/10950/Conservation-Action-Plan-for-Albertine-Rift-identifies-key-sites-and-species.aspx A Conservation Action Plan for the Albertine Rift region was recently completed, documenting the conservation importance of the region for global biodiversity conservation and summarizing the key objectives of six Landscape action plans to conserve the region. Pulling together 16 years of biodiversity research and landscape planning this plan builds upon a previous regional framework plan that was developed in 2004. The Albertine Rift is documented in the plan as one of the most species rich sites on the African continent with more endemic and threatened vertebrates than any other ecoregion. Each landscape has its own unique species that have specific requirements for their conservation and using conservation planning methods the plan assesses how best to conserve all the endemic and threatened species at least cost and which sites are critical for species conservation because they cannot be replaced by another site because of the species they contain.The Conservation Action plan is Available for download here (8MB) pnsubuga@wcs.org Thu, 18 Jan 2018 03:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:10950 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9356/New-study-published-in-PLos-One-documents-the-drastic-decline-of-Grauers-gorilla.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=9356 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=9356&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9356/New-study-published-in-PLos-One-documents-the-drastic-decline-of-Grauers-gorilla.aspx A new study published in PLos One documents the drastic decline of Grauer’s gorilla, the World’s largest ape and a subspecies of the eastern gorilla. Confined to the Albertine Rift in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the study found that it had declined by at least 77% across its range in the past 20 years. This research provided the data that justified the up-listing of Grauers gorilla to Critically Endangered status on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. It also means that the eastern gorilla become Critically Endangered.  Only the Kahuzi Biega Highland Sector had a population of gorillas that has been increasing in the past 15 years. This shows that where resources are invested well to conserve the species it can be rescued but more resources are needed across its range. Two key areas need to be protected to conserve this species outside the Kahuzi BIega National Park: 1. The Itombwe Reserve which was recently gazetted in June 2016 and 2. The Oku Primate Reserve which is in the process of being established at the moment with the communities living in that area. aplumptre@wcs.org Thu, 20 Oct 2016 04:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:9356 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9046/Census-shows-Grauers-Gorilla-numbers-increasing-in-highland-sector-of-Kahuzi-Biega-National-Park.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=9046 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=9046&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/9046/Census-shows-Grauers-Gorilla-numbers-increasing-in-highland-sector-of-Kahuzi-Biega-National-Park.aspx Despite a 77% decline in the population of Grauer's gorilla across its range as reported by WCS in April 2016, there is one area where their numbers are increasing slowly. The highland sector of Kahuzi Biega National Park has been relatively well protected by ICCN, the parks authority, and its partners. The only site where you can visit Grauer's gorilla as a tourist, this region has been recognised as an important source of income locally and as a result the gorillas are better protected by local communities also. A recent survey by WCS and ICCN has shown their numbers have increased to 213 gorillas from 181 in 2010 and 130 in 2000. This steady growth shows that where sufficient resources are invested and where there is local support for their conservation that this ape can increase in number despite insecurity and civil war. aplumptre@wcs.org Thu, 16 Jun 2016 08:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:9046 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8664/Catastrophic-decline-in-Grauers-gorilla.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=8664 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=8664&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8664/Catastrophic-decline-in-Grauers-gorilla.aspx Grauer’s gorilla is the largest primate on Earth and a close cousin to the mountain gorilla (both are subspecies of the eastern gorilla). It only occurs in eastern Democratic Republic Of Congo, a region that has been torn apart by conflict since 1996. It has been very difficult to estimate the impact of the war on this gorilla because of continuing insecurity but recently WCS and Fauna and Flora Intrenational combined forces to compile all survey data existing since 2011 and also to make surveys across its range. The results show that only 3,800 Grauer’s gorillas remain in the wild, indicating a 77% loss from 17,000 in 1996. Such a catastrophic decline in a population means that it becomes Critically Endangered on the global IUCN red list, which will make both gorilla species and all four gorilla sub species critically endangered. Both English and French reports are available that document the decline, the methods and the analyses.  WCS is calling for the rapid creation of the Itombwe Reserve and Punia Gorilla Reserve which together would conserve over 50% of the remaining gorillas. Community consultations has agreed on boundaries for the Itombwe Reserve and similar consultations are ongoing with communities around Punia Gorilla Reserve.Please click here to view the video about the decline of Grauer's Gorilla populations.         aplumptre@wcs.org Mon, 04 Apr 2016 07:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:8664 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8540/Study-Deadly-Amphibian-Fungus-May-Decline.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=8540 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=8540&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/8540/Study-Deadly-Amphibian-Fungus-May-Decline.aspx **NEWS FROM WCS** CONTACT: SCOTT SMITH: (1-718-220-3698; ssmith@wcs.org) STEPHEN SAUTNER: (1-718-220-3682; ssautner@wcs.org Study: Deadly Amphibian Fungus May Decline Scientists predict a major range contraction of chytrid in Africa’s Albertine Rift over the next centuryClimate models predict warmer and wetter conditions in this region may cause changes in habitat suitability that are less favorable for chytridChytrid is wiping out amphibians worldwide but study indicates some resistance in the Albertine Rift PHOTO: A frog from the Leptopelis family photographed in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda.  CREDIT: Tracie Seimon/WCS Link to Study: http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0145841NEW YORK (January 14, 2016) – A new study by WCS and other groups offers a glimmer of hope for some amphibian populations decimated by the deadly chytrid fungus: climate change may make environmental conditions for the fungus unsuitable in some regions and potentially stave off the spread of disease in African amphibian populations struggling to adapt to changes brought about by global warming.Chytrid or Bd – short for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis – can cause a disease called chytridiomycosis, which is found worldwide and is a major contributor to amphibian declines and extinctions. The study took place in Africa’s wildlife-rich Albertine Rift, which extends along parts of Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania. Researchers conducted a baseline assessment of how chytrid was affecting amphibians in the region and found the fungus was widespread. However, when measured under climatic modeling scenarios, the range of the fungus will contract by 2080 say the study’s authors. Under the model they developed, the scientists say the likelihood of Bd occurrence is predicted to decrease during warmer periods, and when precipitation exceeds an annual rainfall threshold above 1,800 mm per year. But the authors warn that climate change may negatively affect amphibians in other ways such as reducing available habitat. “We infer that Bd prevalence in the Albertine Rift may decrease as a result of climate change,” said the study’s lead author Dr. Tracie Seimon of WCS. “This is borne out by the modeling we have presented here, which indicates a major range contraction of habitat suitability for this fungus by the end of the century.” In addition, microscopic examination of amphibians did not reveal the presence of disease in the majority of the infected frogs indicating they may be regionally resistant. Said co-author Dr. Denise McAloose, Chief pathologist at WCS “While chytrid is wiping out amphibians worldwide, there may be some resistance of amphibians in the Albertine Rift to this organism.  However, further study is needed to better understand resistance to other strains with different pathogenicity, or the potential for environmental triggers such as seasonal variations to make frogs more susceptible to current strains.” The researchers took samples from museum specimens of amphibians and discovered the earliest record of the fungus came from an Itombwe River frog collected in 1950 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Said co-author Dr. Andrew Plumptre of WCS: “The long history of chytrid in the Albertine Rift, coupled with our findings that most frogs found carrying this fungus appeared to be in good health, gives us hope that frogs in this part of Africa are somewhat resistant to this disease” The scientists say that baseline data they collected and modeling predictions are important for comparative studies, especially if significant changes in amphibian health status or climatic conditions are encountered in the future. “The Albertine Rift is one of the world’s hotspots for amphibian biodiversity, and is also one of the most threatened” said Seimon. “Baseline data on Bd can help to form a more complete picture of the presence and significance of this fungus and help guide and inform discussions on climate and species-related conservation strategies at both the local and global levels.” The study appears in the journal PLoS One; authors include: Tracie Seimon, Samuel Ayebare, Emmanuel Muhindo, Guillain Mitamba, Denise McAloose, Alyssa Ammazzaloroso, Anton Seimon and Andrew Plumptre of WCS; Robert Sekisambu, Wilbur Lukwago, and Mathias Behangana of the University of Kampala in Uganda, Eli Greenbaum of the University of Texas; Michele Menegon and Fabio Pupin of The Science Museum of Trento, Italy; and Danny Meirte of The Royal Museum for Central Africa, Belgium. WCS’s work on this study was supported by the United States Fish and the Wildlife Service’s Amphibian in Decline Fund, the IUCN Save our Species Fund, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation. ### WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) MISSION: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. To achieve our mission, WCS, based at the Bronx Zoo, harnesses the power of its Global Conservation Program in nearly 60 nations and in all the world’s oceans and its five wildlife parks in New York City, visited by 4 million people annually. WCS combines its expertise in the field, zoos, and aquarium to achieve its conservation mission. Visit: newsroom.wcs.org Follow: @WCSNewsroom. For more information: 347-840-1242. The MacArthur Foundation supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. In addition to selecting the MacArthur Fellows, the Foundation works to defend human rights, advance global conservation and security, make cities better places, and understand how technology is affecting children and society. More information is at www.macfound.org.   Related Images Wed, 27 Jan 2016 08:28:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:8540 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2664/WCS-Holds-African-Herpetologists-Training-in-Bwindi-Impenetrable-National-Park.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=2664 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2664&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2664/WCS-Holds-African-Herpetologists-Training-in-Bwindi-Impenetrable-National-Park.aspx Amphibians are facing an unprecedented crisis at the moment around the World. Over one third of known species are classified as threatened with extinction by IUCN. This is partly due to habitat loss but also due to pollution of rivers and streams and also due to new diseases that have emerged. At the same time we do not know many of the species that occur in the World with new species being discovered at an increasing rate with new genetic techniques. In Central Africa it is clear that there are many newspecies to be discovered but at the same time there are very few herpetologists from Africa who are studying amphibians. The African Amphibian Working Group held its 16th meeting in the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park  in 2014 to share experiences between herpetologists working in Africa but at the same time to train up a new cohort of African scientists who will work on this group of threatened animals.A training program was held before the meeting and attended by 18 African scientists from Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda and included an overview of what is known about amphibians on this continent and training in how to study and collect specimens correctly, to preserve tissue for DNA analysis and how to study the emerging disease caused by Chytrid fungus which is responsible for the decline and extinction of many amphibian species. A short video about that training can be accessed here:  aplumptre@wcs.org Tue, 30 Sep 2014 06:54:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2664 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/950/Assessment-made-of-climate-resilient-corridors-in-Albertine-Rift.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=950 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=950&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/950/Assessment-made-of-climate-resilient-corridors-in-Albertine-Rift.aspx An assessment has been made by WCS Field Scientists of the areas where species are likely to remain stable under future climate change. The study, supported by the MacArthur Foundation, analyzed  how predicted climate changes would affect the key habitats in the Albertine Rift as well as threatened and endemic large mammals, birds and plants. It also assessed how well gradients in biophysical factors occur across the Albertine Rift as it is likely that areas where gradients are steep may be important for the ability of species or habitat to move as climate changes. The study shows that there is likely to be an average reduction in both species ranges and habitat of about 70% over the next 70 years if the predicted climate changes under Global Climate Models are correct. aplumptre@wcs.org Sun, 05 May 2013 04:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:950 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/932/Lion-documentary-shown-on-Uganda-Television.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=932 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=932&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/932/Lion-documentary-shown-on-Uganda-Television.aspx A documentary about the plight of lions in Uganda has been shown at least three times on the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Uganda's most widely accessible television network. This film shows the current status of lions in Uganda and that their decline by about 30% over the past 10 years is primarily driven by conflicts with pastoralists who are losing livestock to these animals. Lions are very important for Uganda's recovering tourism industry and are the most sought after species by tourists after mountain gorillas. Uganda prides itself on its tree climbing lions which can regularly be seen sleeping in large fig trees in the Queen Elizabeth National Park but their numbers are down to between 20-30 individuals. It is clear that there is a need to reduce the conflicts with the pastoralists to re-build lion populations in Uganda and this film highlights some of the work WCS is doing or hopes to do with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to reverse the declining numbers of lions in the country. aplumptre@wcs.org Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:33:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:932 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/864/New-Report-on-methods-to-examine-trade-offs-in-Land-use.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=864 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=864&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/864/New-Report-on-methods-to-examine-trade-offs-in-Land-use.aspx A recent report has been uploaded that describes a method to examine trade offs in competing land uses and biodiversity conservation. Using the conservation planning software Marxan the report shows how it can be used to identify sites which will conserve the biodiversity of an area while at the same time maximizing the benefits of other land uses to people. Other land uses examined include timber harvesting, oil extraction and small scale agriculture. aplumptre@wcs.org Thu, 17 Jan 2013 06:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:864 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/867/African-Phenology.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=867 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=867&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/867/African-Phenology.aspx A workshop was held at the Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation, Uganda which brought scientists from across Africa with long term data on flowering and fruiting of forest trees to assess patterns in phenology across the continent. Datasets from seventeen research stations were available with at least six years of continuous data and the general patterns and trensd in fruiting and flowering assessed. These trends were related to measures of global climate, particularly ENSO events such as El Nino and La Nina events. The results show significant effects of climate related to flowering of trees but they are not necessarily consistent across the continent. Further analyses will be made in due course to assess why there may be differences aplumptre@wcs.org Thu, 01 Nov 2012 09:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:867 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/625/New-Book-shows-Parks-have-worked-in-Albertine-Rift.aspx#Comments 0 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=7496&ModuleID=14555&ArticleID=625 http://www.albertinerift.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=625&PortalID=49&TabID=7496 http://www.albertinerift.org/About-Us/News/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/625/New-Book-shows-Parks-have-worked-in-Albertine-Rift.aspx   A new book that has recently been published shows that much of the biodiversity of the Albertine Rift has been conserved because protected areas were created in the region. Titled The Ecological Impacts of Long-Term Changes in Africa's Rift Valley (Nova Science Publishers: https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=19950), the book was developed from a conference that was held in January 2009 organised by WCS and the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS). Eleven long term research sites in the Albertine Rift summarised the changes that have taken place since monitoring records began for climate, habitat changes, fruiting and flowering changes of trees, changes in animal populations and also changes in human demography and socio-economics. Some of these research stations are the oldest in Africa with over 50 years since they were established. The book shows that without protected areas much of the incredible biodiversity of the Albertine Rift would have been lost. aplumptre@wcs.org Tue, 22 May 2012 09:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:625