Wright JH. 2009. Use of film for community conservation education in primate habitat countries. American Journal of Primatology. DOI 10.1002/ajp.20749. Available at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122659594/abstract
 
Abstract
 
Wildlife films have become an integral part of broadcast schedules in developed countries. As charismatic mammals, primates are frequently the focus of the wildlife filmmaker's attention. Yet the people watching these films tend to be situated on different continents from the species concerned. Communities in primate habitat countries are unlikely to ever have the opportunity to gain such an insight into the species with which they share their environment and the threats these species face. Over recent years, an increasing number of filmmakers are realizing the importance of reaching local audiences through film for conservation purposes. Published research on the impact films can have on eliciting conservation action in developed or developing countries is minimal. The perceived power of wildlife films to change attitudes and behaviors is largely based on anecdotal evidence. This commentary highlights the on-going debate regarding the conservation impact of wildlife films, discusses the work of various NGOs that are using films for conservation purposes in habitat countries and makes recommendations with regards to the film type and situational context necessary to promote positive conservation behavior in communities. Bespoke conservation films convey a specific message to a specific audience at a particular point in time. If produced by trained local conservation educators, these films are likely to have the biggest impact. Films must be shown as a part of a conservation education program that incorporates other education materials and group discussion so that the desired conservation message can be clearly defined and reinforced. Audiences should not be made to feel disillusioned, depressed or vilified by the content of wildlife films. Rather films should increase support for conservation and empower people to act. Once enthusiasm for specific conservation actions has been created, practical assistance and follow-up support is necessary to ensure ideas are implemented. Am. J. Primatol. 7l:1-5, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

29/10/2009
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ScienceDaily

Two Penn State University researchers have carried out one of the first-ever analyses of the effects of global warming on endangered primates. This innovative work by Graduate Student Ruscena Wiederholt and Associate Professor of Biology Eric Post examined how El Niño warming affected the abundance of four New World monkeys over decades. 

Wiederholt and Post decided to concentrate on the way the oscillating weather patterns directly and indirectly influence plants and animals in the tropics. Until the research by Wiederholt and Post, this intricate network of interacting factors had rarely been analyzed as a single system. "We know very little about how climate change and global warming are affecting primate species," explains Wiederholt. "Up to one third of primates species are threatened with extinction, so it is really crucial to understand how these changes in climate may be affecting their populations."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091028090530.htm

29/10/2009
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Mark Henderson, Science Editor, TimesOnline

Several endangered species of monkey are likely to be pushed further towards extinction by the effects of climate change, research has suggested.

At least four primates from South America that appear on the international Red List of endangered species are adversely affected by climate phenomena that are predicted to worsen as the world warms, scientists have found.

The muriqui, the Colombian red howler monkey, the woolly monkey and Geoffroy's spider monkey, have all declined in population either during or soon after recent El Niño events, according to a study from a team at Pennsylvania State University.

Many scientists expect El Niño events, in which abnormally warm ocean temperatures in the southern hemisphere affect the climate, to become stronger or more frequent over the next century.

28/10/2009
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Jeremy Hance

Earlier this month at a colloquium to implement wildlife corridors for orangutans in the Malaysian state of Sabah, Dr. Yusof Basiron, the CEO of Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), told conservationists and primate experts that the palm oil industry was ready to fund reforestation efforts in the corridors.

"We can raise the money to replant [the corridors] and keep contributing as a subsidy in the replanting process of this corridor for connecting forests," Basiron said in response to a question on how the palm oil industry will contribute. "Money is not a problem. The commitment is already there, the pressure is already very strong for this to be done, so it's just trying to get the thing into motion."

http://news.mongabay.com/2009/1026-hance_basiron.html

26/10/2009
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Advocacy for Animals is pleased this week (October 19-23, 2009) to feature the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). Each day we are publishing an article on a different sanctuary that has achieved GFAS verification or accreditation.
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For the last article in this series, we are featuring not a specific sanctuary, but rather another sanctuary alliance, which Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is proud to salute: Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA).

PASA just recently celebrated its tenth anniversary! PASA is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity in the United States committed to the conservation and care of African primates through the unique alliance of African sanctuaries. PASA has united 18 rehabilitation centers/sanctuaries that care for thousands of orphaned chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, drills, and other endangered primates across Africa.

http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2009/10/pan-african-sanctuary-alliance/

23/10/2009
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Wildlife conservationists say a boom in palm oil -- used extensively for biofuel and processed food like margarine -- has affected the jungles in Borneo, endangering the already declining orangutan populations, AFP reported.

Experts believe that among the 50,000 to 60,000 orangutans left in the wild, some 80 percent of them are in Indonesia and the rest in Malaysia's Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak.

However, the charismatic red-haired apes will be virtually eliminated in the wild within two decades if current deforestation trends continue, according to a 2007 assessment by the United Nations Environment Program.

Source: RedOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1773869/palm_oil_boom_creates_danger_for_orangutans/

22/10/2009
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