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Ecological Entity: Marine megafauna

Threats: Tourism, resource use (fishing)

Data Collected: Direct observations

Strategies: Data collection, scientific research, education

Region: Southern coast of Portugal

Scientific research is at the core of AIMM's conservation efforts, with a dedicated team of researchers and marine biologists venturing into the ocean daily to collect data about the species they steward. This foundational work informs scientific studies and articles and updates the conservation status of the region's marine species, particularly cetaceans (whales and dolphins).

In 2015, AIMM made a significant advancement by acquiring a research vessel named Ketos, specially designed to provide the support necessary for AIMM's scientific endeavours. For nearly a decade, powered by a 135hp Honda engine, Ketos (the scientific boat) has been instrumental in AIMM's field research, enabling comprehensive data collection.

However, after approximately 4,800 hours of fieldwork, the engine's performance has diminished. It is no longer the robust and dependable asset it once was, which hinders AIMM's capacity to conduct effective daily scientific surveys, jeopardizing the continuity and quality of the steward's work.

Securing funds for a new engine for the vessel Ketos represents more than just the purchase of machinery; it is an investment in the future of marine conservation research. A more powerful and reliable engine will ensure AIMM's continued ability to carry out meticulous data collection.

Moreover, Ketos has been pivotal in providing invaluable fieldwork experience to Master/PhD students and aspiring marine biologists through the annual “Dolphin Research Internship” program. Participants immersed in AIMM’s daily research aboard Ketos gain hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Supporting the acquisition of a new engine for Ketos empowers AIMM to uphold its commitment to research, education, and the conservation of precious European marine ecologies.

Ecological Entity: Zebras

Fundraising For: GPS Based Tracking Collars L by African Wildlife Tracking

Threats: Poaching, illegal mining, agricultural expansion, habitat loss

Data Collected: Direct observations, signs of presence, GPS tracking

Strategies: Data Collection, Scientific Research, Community-led Conservation

Region: Upemba National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo

Zebras are one of the key herbivore species at Upemba National Park, which hosts the only population in the whole of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Once roamed by the thousands, their population has been decimated by illegal poaching after years of civil unrest. Forgotten Parks is on a mission to restore the local populations of these beautiful creatures. To reach this goal, we need to embrace technology to study their current behaviour in detail. This involves acquiring tracking collars to map out the surviving herds of zebras, deploying aircraft to locate them, mobilising rangers, and sending out our best ecologists on this challenging mission.

The generous contribution will be specifically allocated to purchase advanced telemetric collars. These high-tech devices are crucial for the ongoing conservation efforts, allowing for real-time monitoring of the zebras' movement patterns, habitat use, and behaviour. The data collected from these collars will inform our conservation strategies, enable more effective protection against poaching, and help ensure the zebras' long-term survival in their natural habitat.

By equipping 10 zebras with these collars, alongside a similar initiative for the park's elephants, we aim to establish a comprehensive monitoring system that will provide invaluable insights into the dynamics of the ecosystem and the interactions between different wildlife species within Upemba National Park.

Ecological Entity: Predators of the Greater Maasai Mara

Threats: Human-wildlife conflict, land use

Data Collected: Direct observations, GPS tracking

Strategies: Data Collection, community outreach, community-led conservation

Region: Maasai Mara, Kenya

Kenya Wildlife Trust's Mara Predator Conservation Programme (MPCP) is dedicated to the research and protection of predators within the Maasai Mara. The funds will support the recurring operational costs that are fundamental to the continuation of our work.

This funding will be allocated to cover the salaries of our dedicated researchers, who are the backbone of our fieldwork, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Their expertise is vital to inform policies in the country which aim to maintaining the health of predator populations within the Mara ecosystem. Additionally, the fund will provide for the running costs of our field vehicles, which were recently acquired thanks to the generous support of SNI. These costs include fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation—ensuring our team's mobility and access to various remote research locations.

Administrative expenses will also benefit from this funding, covering the overheads that keep our project operational, from office supplies to communication and salaries of our administrative staff. Moreover, investment in research gear and equipment is crucial, allowing for the purchase, maintenance, and updating of the essential tools needed for robust fieldwork—such as GPS devices, binoculars, and cameras.

By underwriting these core expenses, the fund allows MPCP to sustain its operational efficiency and achieve key research outcomes. This support is instrumental in advancing our scientific understanding of the region's predators and fostering harmonious coexistence between these animals and local communities.

Ecological Entity: Small and medium mammals, insects.

Threats: land use, unsustainable farming practices, pollution

Data Collected: Signs of presence, direct observations

Strategies: Data collection, biodiversity assessment, community outreach and education

Region: Tarcu Mountains, SW Carpathians, Romania

Grow-Wild: youth-led biodiversity data collection for transformative socioecological change

The Grow-Wild project led by WeWilder, aims to enhance biodiversity awareness and sustainable agricultural practices in Romania's rewilding landscapes. Its primary mission is to support the development of a data collection program that involves the local youth (around 30 individuals) and centered on the monitoring of key species such as the European bison, birds, small mammals, red deer, which are indicative of ecosystem health on this landscape. These species are crucial for maintaining the balance of a thriving ecosystem where sustainable business practices and wildlife can coexist.

The wildlife data collected by local youth through the project will be made accessible to local farmers. The 10k funding will be used to cover operational costs such as fuel, transport and equipment, salaries for educators, fees for expertise needed for the analyses of data collected by the youth, running workshops for farmers to explain the assessment and advise on the employment of ecologically sustainable agricultural practices.

The presence of diverse forms of life around farmlands can enhance the appeal of agricultural products, promoting them as sustainably grown and beneficial to the environment. This tool will visualise the presence or absence of umbrella species in the region, whose activities signal the health of ecosystem services vital to resilient crop production.

By connecting ecological data to consumer purchases through digital assets, Grow-Wild empowers consumers with ecoliteracy, encouraging them to make choices that support biodiversity-conscious food systems. This transparency could potentially lead to new eco-certification standards, offering producers a way to differentiate their products in the market based on their ecological sustainability. A small contribution with the potential to kick-start transformative impact toward thriving shared landscapes where sustainable business and biodiverse life coexist.

Ecological Entity: Hawksbill, leatherback, and green turtles

Threats: Land use, pollution, climate change

Data Collected: Direct observations

Strategies: Data collection and analysis, policy change

Region: Martinique, Lesser Antilles

Marine turtles, particularly the hawksbill, leatherback, and green turtle rely on beaches as critical nesting habitats, a key stage in the survival of the species. In Martinique, every beach may serve as a potential nesting ground for these three marine turtle species.

Since 2019 in Martinique, Aquasearch's team carried out the first nesting activity monitoring on three beaches in order to acquire new knowledge about the populations breeding on the island. Monitoring is carried out four nights a week throughout the nesting period (April to October). The data collected during this monitoring not only documents egg-laying but also the choice of nesting site, the fertility of the female and individual preferences (a first in the Caribbean). Photo-identification is carried out for each observation, enabling individual monitoring of egg-laying activity. Ethological data for each stage is collected from the time turtles leave the water to lay their eggs until they return to the sea. The nest's geolocation is recorded and the number of eggs laid is counted to estimate the reproductive success after the emergence of the juveniles. Samples of biofilm present on the turtles' shells are taken and analysed to determine the areas frequented by the individuals.

During the monitoring carried out in 2023, 122 observations of spawning individuals were recorded. The funds allocated would enable the project to be financially consolidated for the 2024 spawning season, with the addition of a student who would be trained in the various protocols and in analysing the data collected by one of the team's scientists. The funding will also cover the cost of field equipment (GPS and camera) and consumables for biofilm sampling (tubes, alcohol, toothbrushes) and laboratory analysis.

Ecological Entity: Great Green Macaw

Threats: Land use, poaching

Data Collected: Signs of presence, direct observations

Strategies: Habitat restoration, community outreach, community-led conservation

Region: Boca Tapada, Costa Rica

Women Rangers: enabling Parrots and Communities to Co-exist and Thrive!

Habitat loss is a major threat to parrot species and biodiversity in Costa Rica. Today, the major loss comes from monoculture plantations, such as pineapple and banana, which result in the clear-cutting of habitat. The now critically endangered Mountain Almond tree (Dipteryx panamensis) is a primary source of food and nest for Macaws.

Our outreach and habitat programs interconnect, with a strong focus on women’s empowerment and helping local communities exist in harmony with the natural world around them. In rural Costa Rica, career opportunities are limited, particularly for women who are most often in the role of caregivers. In 2020, MRN launched the Women Rangers initiative to empower 6 women in Boca Tapada to work in conservation. They are now leading reforestation efforts in the Great Green Macaw habitat and managing their own tree nursery, Casa del Titor. This nursery has produced 10,000 plants and the Women Rangers have planted over 3,000 trees with the help of the local community and partner organizations.

In 2023, Macaw Recovery Network has initiated a strategy to protect habitat for the long-term with the purchase of 208 hectares of forest in the north of Costa Rica, now known as the Sarapiquí Rainforest Reserve (SRR). 20% of the reserve was previously used for cattle ranching and is in need of restoration. A grant of $10,000 will help to restore this vital land by contracting Maria Elena and Elvida (2 local Women Rangers) for 1 year. These ladies will grow a variety of native trees, and organise reforestation events with local communities and schools. In doing so, the project will restore and permanently safeguard the future of approximately 3 hectares of forest in 2024.

Habitat restoration in itself takes time, but we firmly believe that investing locally and including the community is a vital part of ensuring the long-term success of our conservation efforts. Habitat is best protected when the community is living in harmony with nature and through your support, you will help Parrots and communities co-exist and thrive again!

Pictures by Corey Raffel