OMACHA FONDATION
The natural reserve Bojonawi of the Omacha Fundation (in the Vichada
Department of the Colombian Orenoque) protects the savanna, rivers,
and habitats of a range of species such as the jaguar, the pink dolphin
and the manatee. The freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygon motoro and
histrix) are living in the crystal water of the Caño Negro and Verde.
Unfortunately, they are threatened with the aquarium trading.
In addition, they have late sexual maturity and a low reproduction rate
– 2 common factors to all rays and shark species – which threatens its
population. In order to fight against poaching, there is an urgent
requirement to train rangers with information, education and their
mission to protect these species.
Forests of the Eastern part of Russia and China are the only habitat
where the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) remains in the
wild, with less than 30 animals (last count in February/March 2007).
The Amur Leopard is hunted to excess by poachers on behalf of
Chinese drug producers, who attribute some medicinal virtues to the
animals remains. A few zoos around the world are trying to preserve
approximately one hundred of these animals.
The TIGRIS Foundation
is working on a conservation program to rehabilitate to the wild
some leopards born in captivity, in particular with the creation of a
national reserve.
and fishing, and the destruction of its natural habitat, with the clearing of mangroves and the agricultural management of flooded plains. Moreover, the manatee has a very low reproductionrate. The manatee is classified as a
CRITICAL ENDANGERED SPECIES” on the IUCN* red list.
in the world. Living in estuaries, it feeds on fishes, and sometimes, marine
vegetation and crustaceans. It can reach up to 5-6 metres in length with a
bill of 1,50m and can weigh up to 800kg. Its bill has up to 26 pairs of teeth.
It has a very slow reproduction rate: ovoviviparous, the female keeps eggs
into its belly and gives birth to little sawfishes with soft bills after around 1 year.
The sawfish is easily trapped by fishing nets and it is impossible to remove
from the nets without killing it. The use of trawlers with fishing nets in coastal
waters is particularly dangerous for the sawfish. In addition, the high trade
value of its fins and bill adds one more pressure on its population.
Nowadays the 7 species of sawfishes are classified as “CRITICAL ENDANGERED
SPECIES” and “ENDANGERED SPECIES” on the IUCN red list.We need to save
this “rhinoceros of our oceans”.
The Western hoolock gibbon (Hylobates hoolock hoolock) is of the ape family as
are bonobos, chimps, orang-utans and gorillas. It lives in Myanmar (ex-Burma), South of China, East of Bangladesh and North-East of India. It feeds 60% of the time, especially on fruits.
The aim of this conservation program is to open the first centre to accommodate
and host animals victims of illegal trade (Western hoolock gibbon,
Langur,Assam macaque, loris...) which have been confiscated by authorities,
to reinforce wild population with a rehabilitation program and to improve
the relationship with the neighbouring villages resulting from ecotourism
development.The Western hoolock gibbon is the target of intensive poaching
and a victim of the reduction of its habitat. It is the only ape in India; it is
classified among the 25 most endangered species of monkeys in the world
according to the IUCN report of 2006-2007.
