The Amazon is experiencing extreme drought with river levels in some areas at their lowest for more than a century. We just made it in our boat to this village at the gateway to the Regional Conservation Communal Reserve of Tamshiyacu Tahuayo in Peru, but had to walk the remaining hour and half to reach the next community. These extreme impacts of climate change are taking their toll on these local communities whose only lifeline is the river - low water levels effectively isolate these communities from families and trade and is impacting a whole way of life. Wildlife dependant upon these rivers is also suffering - the water is so shallow and hot that fish are escaping to the lowest levels of the creek and fish dependant species such as river otters are increasingly in competition with local people for food. These communities came together to create this reserve some 30 years ago - which today is a thriving haven for forests and wildlife. WCS has been working with these local leaders for more than 30 years in this area to uphold the commitments made by them to the preservation of their lands and in support of sustainable management and conservation of these extraordinary places.
These forests can provide 30% of the solution to climate change. They work hard. We all need them. So protect them. Happy to be in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in DRC on this #WorldRainforestDay #naturebasedsolutions #congo
The Niassa Special Reserve is a wild magical place whose landscape is like a land that time forgot. Over the years this vast and complex space has undergone its challenges / not least a wave of elephant poaching and persistent bouts of insecurity. Today however and on this my first visit for a few years since @thewcs signed a 20 year comanagement agreement with the government for Niassa, I sensed we had moved into a more hopeful chapter for the Reserve - with a new management plan approval on the horizon and elephant poaching at an all time low. As one of the single largest protected areas in the miombo forests it’s in all of our interests to protect Niassa for its wildlife and the people who call it home. #mozambique #niassa specialreserve #miomboinitiative
Fascinating visit to Bamingui Bangoran National Park and Manovo Gounda St Floris National Park in northern Central African Republic - @thewcs has signed a 25 year agreement with the government to restore this extraordinary landscape and to let nature once again deliver peace and prosperity to this complex but beautiful area. #eunaturafrica #wildlife #conservation #thewcs
On this World Ranger Day let’s celebrate all the rangers and environmental defenders across the world that dedicate their lives to protecting nature - whether local communities, civil society or governments. This video is dedicated to all those who have given their lives for nature. ❤️ @thewcs #worldrangerday #iamaranger
The Maya Biosphere Reserve in Guatemala is one of the most extraordinary places I have had the privilege to visit. Over 2million hectares of forest with thriving jaguar, tapir and other wildlife populations, nestled within 2000 year old Mayan culture and archaeological sites. Core to its success is some of the most effective examples of community forestry and community based forest management I have ever seen. It’s not without its challenges - illegal cattle ranches fuelled by narco traffickers continue to threaten this unique place. But ultimately this is a story of hope and of grit, determination and persistence against all odds. I am both proud and humbled by the efforts of @thewcs and so many of our local community and govt partners in fighting for the survival of the Selva Maya #selvamaya #thewcs #conservation
It’s World Giraffe Day. Whilst giraffe are an iconic species of Africa’s savannahs and grasslands their numbers are declining. The Kordofan giraffe which occurs in the western Sudano Sahel belt is Critically Endangered - @thewcs is working to protect a significant remaining population of this subspecies in the Bouba Ndjida National Park in northern Cameroon which is seeing an increase in population numbers through effective protection measures. I’ve cheated a bit on the photo which is a Southern Giraffe just hanging out gurning in Kruger National Park. #worldgiraffeday2023 #conservation
Masoala National Park - a jewel in the crown of eastern Madagascar and where the forest meets the sea. Together with neighbouring Makira Natural Park this landscape harbours around 50% of Madagascar’s exceptional and unique biodiversity - truly a powerhouse of nature. Excited to be here this week with the @thewcs team
