Vote Nature The environment, the election and you.

Living PlaneteXCLuSIVe For WWF SuPPorterS

earth From aboVeConservation Week in the Garden City.

treaSure ISLaNdSpecies discovery in Madagascar.

NeW ZeaLaNd ForeStSPioneering conservation in East Taranaki.

ISSUE 03MAGAZINE

2011

Living Planet page 3

Living pLanet – issue 3 earth from above

Our relationship with our planet is at the crossroads.

On one hand, this incredible world is wild in every sense of the word. And in so many ways, we are really only just beginning to get to know it. Since the beginning of the 21st century, in amazing places like Madagascar and Borneo, hundreds of plants and animals have been discovered that were previously completely unknown to science.

The intimate, subtle and complex ties that connect each species to each other and the world around them are only dimly understood. There is so much majestic mystery left, from the plains to the mountains, from the beaches to the depths of the ocean.

But on the other hand, humans dominate the surface of this planet like never before. We have shaped

the landscapes, dammed the rivers, trawled the seas, and now we are rapidly altering the climate. The wilderness is shrinking and, like it or not, we have become the planet’s manager and its custodians.

This brings with it an unprecedented sense of responsibility, but also the greatest opportunities of all our lifetimes. Because it is now our challenge to channel our passion for this planet into enthusiastic action to ensure its beauty and bounty remains, in our lifetime and for future generations.

What greater prize could there be than discovering this world’s mysteries?

Executive Director, WWF-New Zealand

p8 saving KōKaKop6 the Kermadecsp4 mad about madagascar

p3 conservation Week at ‘earth from above’p4 mad about madagascarp6 the Kermadecs – one of our last great wilderness areasp8 a new weapon in the battle to save our forests p9 You are WWf – the environment, the election and youp10 help WWf protect our world’s last great wilderness p11 contact us

WeLcome from

chris hoWe

contents

Cover image: Furcifer timoni, male. During recent field work scientists discovered this colourful and highly distinct species of chameleon in the isolated rainforests of the Montagne d’Ambre massif 850m above sea level, northern Madagascar. © Patrick Schönecker / WWF

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Panda gives WWF supporter warm welcome.

WWf ceLebrates conservation WeeK at ‘earth from above’

WWF-New Zealand climate change campaigner Lee Barry turns the lens on Conservation Week, marking 50 years of WWF with some old friends and very special guests. Turning 50 is a big deal for anyone. For WWF, it’s an opportunity to reflect on half a century of conservation success with some of the people who have made it all possible – our supporters.

It’s also a time to look to the future and the big environmental challenges the planet faces, so it seemed fitting to mark the anniversary in Christchurch, where courageous residents are now reflecting upon how to rebuild their fallen city in a sustainable way.

The city recently played host to the stunning aerial photo exhibition “Earth From Above” by French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand, which has inspired millions of people worldwide. WWF was proud to

support the free outdoor exhibition, as part of the Christchurch Arts Festival.

These photos are like old friends to me – I first met them inside the shelter of a shipping container in Wellington when the show premiered in New Zealand in 2006. My line of work then was in arts and events – by the time I’d spent three months babysitting these beauties and running a sustainability information centre, I was hooked, and two years later I joined WWF-New Zealand.

Against this stunning backdrop, we were delighted to host a special supporters’ event celebrating conservation, joined by our guest speaker, New Zealand wilderness photographer Craig Potton.

Like Yann, Craig is a celebrated photographer and a dedicated conservationist. His talk to our special guests was about his personal inspiration, in conservation and in capturing the beauty of nature in still images. Craig told us of his refusal to give up the fight for the places and animals that are special to all of us: “I’m proud to be associated with organisations like Forest & Bird and WWF, who say ‘let's not lose Maui’s dolphin, let's not lose Hector’s dolphin, let's not lose kakapo’. It’s a fight, but I think it’s a fight we’ll win.”

Yann’s message is also unashamedly environmental and social. His photos show how people are over-consuming and unfairly distributing our planet’s finite resources. He is using astonishing beauty to tell a shocking story, but also one that inspires us to fight on – as WWF will continue to do, with your help.

Find photographs of the event, the ‘Earth from Above’ exhibit ion, and ‘Earth Facts’ at wwf.org.nz/earthfromabove

Craig Potton and WWF's Lee Barry at Conservation Week celebrations in Christchurch, marking 50 years of WWF.

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treasure isLandtreasure isLand

mad about madagascarMadagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, contains a vast array of the most unusual and amazing plants and animals found anywhere on Earth.Its long isolation from neighbouring continents has shaped the evolution of truly unique creatures. To take just one example, the island is home to a quarter of the world’s primate species, including about 100 types of lemur.

It has fascinated scientists studying our natural world for centuries. And yet even today it is still slowly revealing its secrets. In the last 10 years, research in Madagascar has discovered more than 615 species, including 41 mammals.

Incredibly, until 2003 only 3.2% of this island wonderland was protected. The ancient forests were falling to the chainsaw, the rare species taken by poachers. Since then this conservation area has nearly tripled, so that today 52,000 square kilometers of Madagascar’s landscapes and valuable ocean habitat is under some form of protection – that’s an area about one fifth the size of New Zealand. WWF and its supporters have helped achieve

this, and remain committed to maintaining and improving conservation for Madagascar’s unique biodiversity.

It’s an ongoing battle – deforestation and habitat fragmentation continue to place this biodiversity paradise in peril. But together, we will help preserve this treasure island for everybody in the world to learn and benefit from, for centuries to come.

For more information go to wwf.mg

1 in 4 of the WorLd’s primate species caLL madagascar their home

the Latest discoveries from treasure isLand

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chameleon species Furcifer timoni, found in the isolated rainforests of the Montagne d’Ambre massif 850m above sea level, in northern Madagascar.

frog Boophis bottae, one of 69 amphibians discovered over the last 11 years. The frog species is found in the eastern rainforest belt of Madagascar.

snake Liophidium pattoni, discovered just last year at the western side of the Makira plateau, within the newly created Makira National Park, province of Mahajanga, in the North East of Madagascar.

berthe’s mouse Lemur Microcebus berthae, discovered in 2000, this is the smallest mouse lemur in the world with an average body length of 92 millimetres (3.6 in) and weight of around 30g.

only buy new paper or wood products that display a sustainable certification from the forest stewardship council. particularly, do not buy rosewood, which comes from madagascar, or pets and exotic species that have come from there. to find out more go to: wwf.mg

What can You do?

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the Kermadecs New Zealand’s underwater wilderness Imagine an underwater world teeming with creatures of every shape, size and colour, where the ocean reaches depths so extreme, you could plunge Mount Everest into the waters and still not break the surface.

Look no further than New Zealand’s own oceans. One thousand kilometres north of Auckland, life in the waters of the Kermadecs is extreme in every sense – huge submarine volcanoes rise from the depths, and unique animals live around the hydrothermal vents, some known as ‘black smokers’.

The region is one of the last relatively untouched wilderness areas remaining on our planet. Yet less than 1% of the Kermadec’s waters are currently fully protected, falling far short of what’s needed to safeguard life in this extraordinary part of New Zealand.

WWF is part of an initiative to extend protection for this very special ocean environment, establishing a large marine sanctuary to safeguard the Kermadecs. Find out more at wwf.org.nz/kermadecs

Mimic blenny (Plagiotremus tapeinosoma) at the Kermadec Islands.

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Kermadec Islands

page 8 Living Planet Living Planet page 9

neW zeaLand forests

80%of our WiLdLife Lives in our oceans

vote nature

Each night, about 30 million possums munch their way through our native trees and kill the chicks of birds such as kererū and kōkako. But now the nation’s conservationists are hoping an innovative new automatic trap will help turn the tide and assist in protecting our native forests.

The Goodnature automatic humane possum trap kills possums instantly with a blow to the head from a gas powered piston. Uniquely, the animal then drops to the ground and the trap resets itself up to 12 times. This drastically reduces the human effort required to keep checking the traps and radically increases its effectiveness in eradicating the animals doing the damage. It’s careful design also makes it the only possum trap to meet the National Animal Welfare Advisory Board Committee’s A class humane standards.

WWF was so impressed that we joined forces with the Tindall Foundation to provide $20,000 to buy 218 of them for a test site in a remote area of native bush in Taranaki. The area is managed by the East Taranaki Environment Trust and has taken a hammering from introduced pests like these. Many native bird populations like the hihi, bellbird and saddleback have disappeared. The haunting melody of the kōkako hasn’t been heard here for two decades. So it’s hoped that this new equipment is at the heart of a plan to reduce possum numbers to a level where kōkako can be reintroduced.

The traps have been set along lines in a 277 hectare block with the help of the Department of Conservation

East Taranaki Environment Trust trap trial, Darren, DOC Biodiversity Manager fixes gas cannister.

Saving kōkako: conservationists hope to restore the species to East Taranaki.

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a neW Weapon in the battLe to save our forests

and the Taranaki Regional Council alongside other skilled volunteers organised by the Trust, including WWF staffers Marc Slade and Rosa Argent. Ground poisoning will be used in a neighbouring block to compare the results.

Marc Slade, WWF’s Terrestrial Conservation Manager, said: “While we hope kōkako will one day sing again in East Taranaki, we are also excited to be backing new innovative pest control techniques that could benefit conservation efforts nationwide.”

There are already reasons to be optimistic. The East Taranaki Environment Trust has made great strides in restoring the health of local ecosystems since it was established in 2002. The area now boasts an impressive 350 breeding pairs of western North Island brown kiwi. Kereru and robin have returned. And so do the volunteers, time and again, to check the lines, record the dead possums, count the kiwi calls and, on this occasion, help set up the trial. From this army of conservationists, to the inventors of the new trap, ultimately it’s people’s commitment that will help native species win the battle for survival.

Read the f ull story at wwf.org.nz/kokako

It is now more important than ever to make the protection of our natural world a top political priority, and there is no better time to be heard than in this election year.

it’s eLection time: speaK up for our environment & our future

You can heLp bY teLLing Your LocaL candidates You Want:Increased protection for our precious oceansOnly about 0.3% of New Zealand’s marine environment is fully protected in marine reserves, despite the fact that about 80% of New Zealand’s wildlife lives there. WWF scientists believe a safe level of protection means setting aside at least a third of our oceans in marine reserves. Research commissioned by WWF shows the vast majority of New Zealanders agree. Sign our petition at wwf.org.nz/save_our_seas and call on your candidates to help make this happen.

Environmental education for our kids, and our future Young New Zealanders face opportunities and challenges that require creative and innovative thinking, and the attitude to want to make the world a better place for people and nature. Education for Sustainability addresses this by engaging kiwi kids in issues important to them in a way that is fun and hands on. Tell your candidates you want at least $500,000 per year for Enviroschools so kiwi kids can carry on learning how to care for the planet.

Better protection for our native species Nearly 3,000 New Zealand native plants and animals are under threat. The Department of Conservation, councils and communities carry out important conservation work nationwide, but only 6% of threatened species have a recovery plan and less than 3% of our land area is managed for pests. Let your candidates know you support increased funding for conservation to protect more of our threatened species and their habitats.

Renewable, clean green energy New Zealand’s demand for electricity is set to increase by 75% by 2050. Our greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation are 60% higher than in 1990. But we currently generate up to 79% of our electricity from renewable sources, and we have the potential to go further, and become a beacon for the world. Speak to your candidates about ensuring the Government meets its 90% renewable electricity pledge by 2025 – and then aims for 100%.Who

are mY candidates?

find out at WWW.eLections.org.nz

page 10 Living Planet Living Planet page 11

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All the evidence tells us that our world’s last great wilderness areas are under threat like never before, and that we urgently need to do more to protect them.

Despite conservation successes, our planet’s most special places – from the teeming forests of Madagascar, to the furthest reaches of New Zealand’s vast oceans – are at risk.

In Madagascar, the ancient forests are being cut down, primarily for small-scale slash and burn agriculture and for firewood and charcoal production, all of which increases greenhouse gas emissions. Then, when the rains come, the unprotected topsoil is washed into the rivers and out to sea, leaving the land naked and unfit for agriculture.

Downstream, this sediment chokes estuaries and smothers sensitive marine habitats. Marine plants and animals are destroyed; farmers and fishermen lose their livelihoods.

Closer to home, New Zealand’s vast, globally precious marine environment is also under severe pressure, from the subtropical Kermadec Islands in the north to the icy subantarctic waters in the south. Our seas are home to thousands of species including seabirds, dolphins and whales, fish, corals and other wildlife, almost half of which are found nowhere else on the planet.

But ocean currents have become polluted, while factory ships harvest huge numbers of fish and also kill birds, dolphins and other non-target species that get caught in their nets and lines. The hunt for minerals and fossil fuels in these areas is having a negative impact, and will increase climate change, threatening to throw entire ecosystems out of balance.

Protecting our extraordinary living planet is one of humanity’s greatest challenges. However, it is also an exciting privilege to be in a position to do something about all this.

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations. We are active in more than 100 countries, and the ongoing support from our five million supporters worldwide, including you, means we are able to speak out for the protection of our living planet.

heLp WWf protect our WorLd’s Last great WiLderness areas todaY

Your donations help fund our vital work to halt the destruction of our world’s most precious wild places, and defend the people, animals and plants that share them. In New Zealand, we rely on your support to advocate for urgently needed marine reserves, and to speak up for our own endangered species like the Hector’s and Maui’s dolphins.

So please, if you are able, make a donation now, by filling in the attached form.

It’s a tough job that we are doing together, but it has to be one of the most rewarding in the world.

Chris Howe

A view of the spectacular peaks of the Natural Reserve of Marojejy rainforest, near the city of Andapa, Madagascar. WWF Forest Guardian Project.

Black and white ruffed lemur Varecia variegata – Leaping between trees Madagascar.

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90%of the forests in madagascar have been destroYed

heLp protect our Living pLanet heLp protect our Living pLanet

read more Find the latest news about our work and conservation issues online:

Sign our petition for more marine reserves wwf.org.nz/save_our_seas

Discover more about our oceans treasuresofthesea.org.nz

Protect Indonesia’s wildlife. Download our guide to rainforest-friendly toilet paper wwf.org.nz/toilet_paper

WWF’s Christmas gifts shop.wwf.org.nz

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Living pLanet issue 03issn 1177-3332

WWf.org.nzDear Chris, I want to help protect our world’s last great wilderness areas today...My supporter number: (You will find it on your cover letter)

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0000000Oct 11

"What are

you getting

for Christmas "

"A new home,

a loving family, and a better

life for our wild

animal friends "

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Adopt an animal from WWF and give your friends and family the gift of saving wildlife this Christmas. You can choose to adopt a Hector’s dolphin or a tiger for a loved one – or for yourself – and help WWF stop the extinction of endangered wildlife. We’ll send you an inspiring adoption pack including a beautiful tiger or dolphin soft toy.

Adopt a Hector’s dolphin or a tiger for $60 today (plus postage & packaging). Place your order in the WWF Christmas catalogue, online at wwf.org.nz or call our team on 0800 435 7993.

Thank you. Your support means the world to wildlife.

Adoption pack includes:

• tiger or dolphin soft toy

• an adoption certificate

• animal facts

• an animal mask

• animal stickers

• and a colourful

recycled carry bag

adopt an animal this christmas a gift that really keeps giving