-CONSERVATION BIOLOGIST-
LOUISE FLETCHER
PROJECTS
I'm a conservation biologist with experience working in both Africa and Asia. In 2013 I took a role monitoring the release of trade confiscated pangolin in Vietnam and since then I have been developing this project with Save Vietnam's Wildlife, while working with other organisations to protect and survey for wildlife and reduce the use of wildlife as a commodity.
Boosting populations of Sunda pangolin
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The plight of the pangolin represents a rare example where demand exists for every part of the animal-meat and scales-for different uses, putting it on a completely different platform to other trafficked animals. There is a huge sense of urgency that needs to be highlighted regarding this species, but this should not lead to rash decisions.
The demand is unsustainable and as a species that does not to thrive in captivity. The most effective way of boosting numbers is through rescue, reintroduction and reinforcement of wild populations.
Surveying for small carnivores and pangolins
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Surveying for small carnivores and non-Panthera cats is important in building up an ecological database for efficient management design of protected areas.
If areas are to be surveyed targeting small and medium carnivores then there are some methodological lessons to be learnt. They should be designed with consideration of the smaller body mass and so the smaller range size and the cryptic nature of many of these species. It is only then we can establish the true impact of human encroachment is having on habitats.
Engaging businesses in conservation
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There is a real need to engage large businesses with small NGOs as they often struggle to get long term support for organizational running resulting in projects lacking the longevity or scale which is required to have a real measurabl impact.
In order to achieve this conservation needs to be presented in businesses in a language they know. If conservation in essence is about reducing the number of heactares of forest lost in the wild and increasing the numbers of animals in them-then every conservation project is a numbers game, a language that businesses understand.
Demand reduction to stop wildlife trade
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When a 2kg animal sells for 700USD providing a monetary alternative to poaching pangolin is nonsensical. Protection and enforcement is the most productive way forward. On a global scale this is taking steps to push all eight species to Appendix 1 of CITES and at regional levels this is Working with authorities to uphold the law, close loopholes, prosecute criminals and then let the fear spread.
By engaging with celebrities, opinion formers, the art community and businesses we can get people mentioning pangolins in the same breath as rhinos, elephants and sharks. By ensuring that wildlife trafficking and poaching is recognized as a severe criminal offence and treated appropriately we increase the number of live individuals confiscated and deter others from snatching them from the wild.