Hello and welcome to the latest edition in this six part feature looking at the wildlife facing serious problems in Southeast Asia. This time we look at the plight of the Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni and what the future holds for this secretive mammal. As usual it is hoped you enjoy this latest edition to the series.
Threats.
The threats to this beautiful animal, are mainly as a direct result of the interference and persecution of man (IUCN 2008).
Hunting is a huge problem, the Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni, due to it's predominantly ground dwelling existence, and regularly falls victim to snare trapping (Owston's Civet Conservation Programme 2001).
These animals are victims of their own beauty as their pelts are sold on to taxidermists or collected as trophys, while their meat is sold to restaurants and numerous body parts including their bones, scent glands, penis and gall bladder are sold to be used in Chinese medicine (Viet Nam News 2007).
The restricted range of the species, combined with habitat loss and habitat degradation, have all also been assessed as serious threats to the fortunes of the species (Newquay Zoo.org 2013).
Sadly the threats which face this species are similar to the problems which face the other species that appear in this feature it is little wonder that action needs to be taken to help species face problems that largely have been created by man.
Hunting is a huge problem, the Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni, due to it's predominantly ground dwelling existence, and regularly falls victim to snare trapping (Owston's Civet Conservation Programme 2001).
These animals are victims of their own beauty as their pelts are sold on to taxidermists or collected as trophys, while their meat is sold to restaurants and numerous body parts including their bones, scent glands, penis and gall bladder are sold to be used in Chinese medicine (Viet Nam News 2007).
The restricted range of the species, combined with habitat loss and habitat degradation, have all also been assessed as serious threats to the fortunes of the species (Newquay Zoo.org 2013).
Sadly the threats which face this species are similar to the problems which face the other species that appear in this feature it is little wonder that action needs to be taken to help species face problems that largely have been created by man.
Conservation.
As is the case with so many species around the world, various threats as a result of human interference, persecution and greed have a deeply negative affect on their respective habitat, food supply and ultimately, the overall population of their respective species.
Fortunately however, despite this there are always organisations who through pure dedication and love of the natural world, continue to fight to save threatened habitats and species all round the globe.
One of the main organisations trying to change the fortunes of the Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni, is the Carnivore and Pangolin Programme with the Owston's Civet Chortogale owstoni being one of the species focused on. Newquay Zoo has supported the project through funding research and providing their own expertise to the programme (wwct.org 2013).
Fortunately however, despite this there are always organisations who through pure dedication and love of the natural world, continue to fight to save threatened habitats and species all round the globe.
One of the main organisations trying to change the fortunes of the Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni, is the Carnivore and Pangolin Programme with the Owston's Civet Chortogale owstoni being one of the species focused on. Newquay Zoo has supported the project through funding research and providing their own expertise to the programme (wwct.org 2013).
Carnivore and Pangolin Programme.
The aim of the project is to ensure there is a future for remaining wild populations of threatened carnivores and Pangolins of Vietnam. In 2011, the programme outlined the following points to focus on, which combined, it's hoped will give the threatened wildlife of Vietnam hope of a future with greater stability.
1)The project knows that all of the focal species have all become threatened as a result of the actions of humans. By attempting to change the attitudes of people in a positive way towards the species focused on, it is hoped that this in turn will have an effect on human behaviour which is having a negative impact on the wild populations of both carnivores and Pangolins. Ways of reaching out to the people about the plight of these animals include; communication campaigns through both traditional and electronic media, education publications and collateral and training workshops.
2) At the time these points were announced, the mortality rate of both confiscated and rescued animals was high, due to a lack of knowledge about the rehabilitation needs of the animals. It is hope that by developing and improving the protocols for looking after carnivores and Pangolins, the mortality rate will significantly drop. This will be done through setting up workshops with both rescue centres and the Forest Protection Department Rangers.
3) One of the biggest problems faced is that of trade confiscated animals. By working alongside organisations such as the IUCN and SSC specialist groups, it is hoped by following a set of guidelines and protocols it is hoped the placement of rescued Pangolins and Carnivores is not only done responsibly, but so it supports the conservation of wild populations.
4) Already the programmes history with ex -situ conservation programmes is long and detailed. This includes the successful international breeding programme, of the Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni. It is hoped that in future the programme can build on this success by working with amongst others, the IUCN, SCC, regional zoo associations and other non-governmental organisations by producing detailed criteria which will enable them to identify most at risk species and try and provide suitable programmes for them.
5) By recognising the necessity to become with involved with conservation organisations, and educational institutions both locally and internationally, it is hoped that the goals set to help with the conservation of the wildlife of Vietnam and Southeast Asia will become a lot more achievable.
(Carnivore and Pangolin Programme 2011).
The Future.
Some if not all the points mentioned above have since been started successfully (wwct.org 2013).
This combined with the successful breeding programmes already conducted for the species (Carnivore and Pangolin Programme 2011), mean there is definitely reason to hope there may be a brighter future for not just the Owstons Civet Chrotogale owstoni, but for other species of Southeast Asia threatened by issues created largely by humans.
This combined with the successful breeding programmes already conducted for the species (Carnivore and Pangolin Programme 2011), mean there is definitely reason to hope there may be a brighter future for not just the Owstons Civet Chrotogale owstoni, but for other species of Southeast Asia threatened by issues created largely by humans.
Three ways you can help the Owstons's Civet Chrotogale owstoni.
1) Why not adopt an Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni ? for more details follow this link http://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/get-involved/unique-gifts-experiences/adopt-an-animal .
2) By making a donation to charity’s such as Wildlife Vets International, you can make a huge difference to the fortunes of wild animals http://www.wildlifevetsinternational.org/content/About%20us .
3 ) By supporting local charity’s , you are also helping to raise the awareness of the local to the plight of the species and as a result, change their behaviour accordingly. For more information visit:
http://smfootscray.catholic.edu.au/kidseyes/vietnamzoos/cucphuong/endangered.htm .
And as steps towards the conservation towards the species continue, here is further proof that through dedication and hard work, there is a positive future for this fascinating animal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-21375443?fb_source=timeline&ref=profile&refid=17
And as steps towards the conservation towards the species continue, here is further proof that through dedication and hard work, there is a positive future for this fascinating animal.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-21375443?fb_source=timeline&ref=profile&refid=17
I hope you enjoyed learning about this unusual, beautiful yet sadly threatened mammal. The problems the species faces are largely man made, however with organisations fighting the corner of the threatened wildlife of Southeast Asia, there is hope. You could play a part in helping with the conservation of this most eye catching of species and hopefully working towards a much more stable future for the Owston's Civet Chrotogale owstoni. Keep an eye out for the next edition in this series, next time an introduction to the Philippine Spotted Deer Rusa alfredi.
Newquay Zoo works with the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust to conserve threatened species and habitats http://www.wwct.org.uk/conservation-research.
References
Newquay Zoo works with the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust to conserve threatened species and habitats http://www.wwct.org.uk/conservation-research.
References
bbc.co.uk ,2013.
Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-21431880.
Carnivore
and Pangolin Conservation Programme. Available at http://www.cucphuongtourism.com/index.php/en/conservation/carnivore-a-pangolins-.html.
IUCNredist.org,
2008. Available at: : http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/biblio/4806/0.
Newquayzoo.org,
2013. Available at: http://www.newquayzoo.org.uk/.
The Owston’s
Palm Civet Conservation Program September, 2001. Available at: http://carnivoreconservation.portland.co.uk/pdf/owstons%20program%20summary.pdf.
Viet Nam
News: Viet Nam to protect, breed endangered civet January, 2007. Available at:
http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/2004-12/29/Columns/Environment.htm.
Date visited 11th January 2013.
wwct.org,2013.
Available at http://www.wwct.org.uk/conservation-research/vietnam/carnivore-pangolin.
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