Regular readers of our blog will be aware that EDGE has supported Osé Pauléus in Haiti on a project to help conserve the solenodon.
The recent devastation and aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti has weighed heavy on our minds, but thankfully Osé is currently studying in Puerto Rico and was therefore not in the earthquake zone. We spoke to Osé recently to find out his views on this tragedy and what we can do to help:
Osé Pauléus: Haiti, Land of Mountains, has been devastated by a terrible earthquake of magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale that caused more than 170,000 deaths. This happened at a very crucial moment where the country had not yet recovered of the recent cyclones and Hurricanes that hit the island, including Tropical Storm Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike, all in the summer of 2008 causing about 800 deaths. A generous amount of emotion and emergency response was provided to meet that insuppressible need. What a great act of unity!!
However, what about the caring for long-term needs? Usually 2-3 months after those events, the international community just forgets about Haiti like nothing happened. For those of you who have been involved in helping this country to go forward, Haitians are thankful to you; but want to let you know that the bigger challenge is coming. It is a heavy and multi-layered problem that follows natural disasters; and it requires collaborative efforts of every kind to help surmount the challenge of recovering from such a disaster. Despite all the differences we have in this world, human is human. Thank you to those of you who want to make a difference.
Personally, when I look at that act of unity toward Haiti, I asked myself these questions: what if the world was really united always as one? What if we did not create all those differences in our world? What would happen if we simply used that love for one another that is inside every one of us? It means a lot to me as Haitian and to all Haitians to see all those nations helping us in our most difficult times. The needs are greater now; as the emergency response is to end, we, as nation, will feel comforted to see that you continue to help us in these terrible circumstances. A good deed is never lost because the children of your children will benefit from your blessings. It is more than a blessing to have you helping us to stand in this situation. Know that your donation will have an effect on many families; it will help thousands of people to survive. Blessings to you all! Osé.
There are many charities you can support to help Haiti recover from this terrible earthquake, but one recommendation would be the Disasters Emergency Committee Haiti Earthquake Appeal (http://www.dec.org.uk/) or you could give directly to the British Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Appeal (http://www.redcross.org.uk/donatesection.asp?id=102260).
Thank you very much.
It has been over a month since my last update so I thought it was time to bring you up to date with everything that has been happening.
The last few weeks have been very busy and productive ones. The most exciting news I have to share with you is that with the help of our two intrepid research assistants (Nicolas Corona and Dionis “Lleyo” Corona) we have managed to catch both of our species (solenodon and hutia) in the wild. I cannot fully describe the excitement and huge privileged I felt to be able to hold and observe these unique animals. They truly are amazing and, I hesitate to say it, incredibly cute.
Trapping with standard baited cage traps had proved relatively inefficient and ineffective in the past for both species. Our new approach relies on the skills that our research assistant team possess and consists of a two step process. First, we searched areas during the day to look for the signs of both species; these include “nose pokes” for solenodon and signs of feeding for hutia (nibbled leaves and gnawed bark) along with the distinctive dung of both species. Secondly, after nightfall, we returned to the areas with the freshest signs to catch the animals by hand. Watching Nicolas and Lleyo at work I realised that it may take me a while to gain the skills that they have but that learning process has now begun.
Having caught the species we took the opportunity to do some basic recordings of the sounds that they make. The solenodon recordings consists of a series of clicks and high pitched calls that sound a bit like dolphin sounds to my untrained ears. The recordings for both species have raised a lot of interest with scientists who work with acoustics. We used the recordings to begin to trial playback experiments, particularly for the arboreal hutia, to see if they respond to the sounds but this has had limited success so far but we have not given up on this option by any means.
We have also done camera trapping with a great deal of success. We have been placing camera traps at the entrance to burrows of hutia, which are relatively easy to identify, as well as along paths left by both species. Our efforts have given us good results with some great footage of the comings and goings of a hutia family in addition to this we have the first film footage, as far as I know, of a solenodon in the wild.
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Most of the work we have done so far has been done in a small number of forest patches running along steep valleys and gorges set in the middle of agricultural landscapes. First indications suggest that the hutia and solenodon appear to be holding on here but obviously we still need to assess how well they are doing and identify the particular threats they are facing in these areas.
Other project news includes the fact that the project now has its own truck to get us into all our sites including some of the most challenging ones. We have also entered the final phase of selecting a local counterpart project manager and will be conducting interviews over the next couple of weeks in order to select the best candidate. I look forward to introducing you to the successful candidate by the time the next update comes round.
In terms of raising awareness of the two species, we have been making progress at both the national and international level. We had a journalist from Der Spiegel (a very popular German news magazine) join us for a few days to report on the start of the project – you can see a video linked to the article at the Der Spiegel website. We have also launched two facebook groups called “The last survivors - Hispaniolan Land Mammal Project” and its Spanish language equivalent “Los últimos sobrevivientes – Salvando el solenodonte y la hutia”. If you join either of these groups you can look at a range of photos, listen to the sounds that both species make and see videos as well as getting more regular updates as to what is going on.
This month will see the launch of a competition in the Dominican Republic to design the logo that will be used to identify the project - we are hoping that as many people as possible from different age groups and backgrounds will participate and in doing so raise the profile of the project at the national scale.
The initial planning and preparatory phase of the project is gradually coming to an end, it has definitely been an eventful time so far but the next phase promises to be even more exciting. The amount of field work carried out will be increased in terms of both the amount of time spent in the forest and the extent of the work as we explore across a much wider area including three national parks and beyond. Something for all of us to look forward to in the new year.
If you would like to support the conservation of the Hispaniolan solenodon and hutia and the conservation of other unique species on the verge of extinction, please become an EDGE Champion, or donate here.
The EDGE Team has just received its first blog from Jose Nuñez-Miño, Project Manager for the new UK Darwin Initiative funded Hispaniolan Endemic Land Mammals Project. This project seeks to enable the long-term conservation of the Hispaniolan solenodon and hutia through participatory species action planning, field research and monitoring, and improved public awareness. It is a collaborative project between Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Zoological Society of London, Sociedad OrnitologĂca de la Hispaniola, Parque ZoolĂłgico Nacional, and the Oficina de Parques Nacionales de la Republica Dominicana.
Over to Jose…
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (DR) - Arriving in a country to set up and run a new project is never easy. Luckily for us we have a fantastic in country collaborator in the shape of Jorge Brocca, the Director of “Sociedad Ornitológica de la Hispaniola” (SOH). Not only is he a highly accomplished conservation biologist but also knows how to get things done in the Dominican Republic. He has definitely made everything happen far more smoothly than we could have imagined. It’s a promising start to the Darwin Initiative-funded Hispaniolan land mammal project which is looking at the long term conservation prospects of the last two surviving terrestrial mammals on the island: the Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) and the Hispaniolan hutia (Plagiodontia aedium).
I’ve only been here for three weeks; my time has been split between doing some initial exploratory trips into the DR countryside and spending time in the city doing administrative and logistical tasks. The expedition phase took park while Dr Samuel Turvey (ZSL/EDGE conservation researcher) and Dr Richard Young (Project leader, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust) were in country. We managed to see a large area of this second largest island in the Caribbean in a relatively short time by travelling far afield into the towering mountains of the Cordillera Central and through to the eastern part of the island (Parque del Este and Punta Cana). We were particularly interested in seeing the different forest types in which the species occur so we can plan the field surveys which will be a large part of the project in the first two years. And as solenodons and hutias can be so difficult to find, we are keen to find out to what extent local farmers and hunters are aware of their distribution in the local area.
Interviews with villagers proved very fruitful and revealed some interesting finds. Initial clues suggest that both species may be present in a range of contrasting habitats; from coastal forest through moist broadleaf forest and possibly up into the pine woodlands at high elevations. One particular challenge that we face is that the local names used for the species vary greatly from one area to another and the same name may be used for several species or for different species in different areas. Future questionnaires will definitely have to take this into account.
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts we did not get to see a solenodon or hutia in the wild although there were promising signs of their presence in some places - notably some solenodon “nose pokes” in the soil at Parque del Este. We were, however, fortunate enough to get to see three captive solenodons at ZOODOM, the national zoo of the Dominican Republic (another project collaborator). These solenodons have recently been brought into the zoo as rescue animals, but are not currently on public display. It was quite a moment coming face to face with this most charismatic and prehistoric of mammals.
During our time in the forest we had lively debates on the best local name for the project which reflects the importance of the species and the aims of the project. We decided on “Los últimos sobrevivientes – Salvando el solenodonte y la hutia de la Hispaniola”. This translates as “The last survivors: saving the Hispaniolan solenodon and hutia” which we feel emphasises the fact that they are the only two remaining species of a land mammal fauna which, before humans arrived, numbered around 25 species, and are now very threatened.
Our work has been nothing if not varied since it even included trips to museums and universities to collect historical and pre-historical records of past solenodon and hutia occurrences across the island, in order for Sam Turvey to create a base line to enable future comparison of the modern-day distributions of these last two endemic land mammal species of Hispaniola.
With such a strong team in an amazingly varied island there is some exciting, challenging and hopefully fruitful work ahead of us. In a week or so I am off to spend time in the field with a local biologist who is an expert in finding these species – I will let you know how it goes, and whether I actually get to see a solenodon or hutia in the wild, in my next blog.
Field Project Manager - Hispaniolan Endemic Land Mammals Project
The project
The UK Darwin Initiative funded Hispaniolan Endemic Land Mammals Project seeks to enable the long-term conservation of the Hispaniolan solenodon and hutia through participatory species action planning, field research and monitoring, and improved public awareness. It is a collaborative project between Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Zoological Society of London, Sociedad OrnitologĂca de la Hispaniola, Parque ZoolĂłgico Nacional, and the Oficina de Parques Nacionales de la Republica Dominicana.
The role
A three year, full-time position with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust based in the Dominican Republic, with possibility of extension. The Field Project Manager will be responsible for delivery of the project in the Dominican Republic, with support from the Project Leader in the UK. Main responsibilities will include:
- Management of a programme of field research, capacity building and public awareness-raising;
- Development and implementation of species monitoring schemes and co-ordinating species action planning;
- Line management of a Project Officer and 2 Field Research Assistants, and close liaison with colleagues in Haiti;
- Management of a budget and financial reporting;
- Developing and maintaining good working relationships with all project partners and local communities;
- Drafting of project reports and assisting with scientific outputs.
The candidate
- A minimum of 2 years experience managing conservation science projects in developing countries;
- A minimum of a Master’s degree in conservation science or related subject, preferably with at least 3 years experience in animal ecology field research;
- Excellent project management, inter-personal and communication skills;
- Fluent in English and Spanish, and able to produce technical reports in both languages.
To apply, please send a 2 page CV and covering letter, and any enquiries for further information, to Liz.Mayo@durrell.org or write to: Liz Mayo, HR, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5BP, UK.
TEL: +44 (0)1534 860031.
Closing date for applications: 11th May 2009
Osé is an EDGE Fellow working on conservation of the Hispaniolan solenodon in Haiti. Here he reports on the findings from his EDGE Fellowship fieldwork in the Massif de la Hotte, in the south-western corner of Haiti:
Several questions have been asked about the survival of one of the two native Hispaniolan land mammals:
- Is the Haitian solenodon (Solenodon paradoxus) still surviving in the Massif de la Hotte, Haiti?
- Do people in the local community and the community around know about that fortune of this species and/or its importance in the biodiversity?
- Do they know about its existence and its status?
- Do they even care about its threat status and the consequences?
- Do they even know about the environment and its components?
To respond to those questions a pilot project ran, conducting sign surveys and interviews with the inhabitants to gather accurate information on the state of the species in the locality of the Massif de la Hotte (Duchity and surrounding communities), Haiti; and to look for the Hispaniolan solenodon pathways. A good campaign of the population awareness was carried out simultaneously, pointing out the state of the biodiversity in general, the state and threats of the Hispaniolan solenodon, and the consequences for future generation; trying to influence them of their responsibility toward the environment that they are part of and to avoid the extinction of the species.
Most of the ecologist scientists had concluded that the Hispaniolan solenodon was completely extinct in the locality of the Massif de la Hotte of Haiti. They came to that conclusion because of the environmental state of the country, where only less than 2 % forest is remaining. Fortunately, recent studies conducted by a group of British scientists had confirmed the existence of the species in the area.
The Hispaniolan solenodon (Solenodon paradoxis), an endemic mammal of Haiti, has been found in the region of Duchity of the Massif de la Hotte for the past ten years. Some scientists have been negative about its continued existence in Haiti because of all the threat factors seen in that region; they even envisaged its extinction in the years to come. But, recent studies conducted by Scientists from the UK under the supervision of the Zoological Society of London have shown that the Hispaniolan solenodon still exist in the Massif de la Hotte. The species is rather endangered because of all the threat for its habitat, but still survive. Lately, scientists have found several dead specimens of the species around the region of Duchity that confirmed the species survival; then, recent surveys in 2008 that have been conducted in the neighborhood proved the continued existence of the species.
To study the status of the species in that region, the ZSL scientists carried out an 11-day survey in April 2007; and they confirmed that the Hispaniolan solenodon still exist in that region after they have found three dead bodies of the solenodon. One of them was very fresh. Then, beginning in June 2008, I carried out a pilot project using the same method as the British scientists (sign surveys, interviews, tracking pathways of the species etc..). That mean villagers and subsistence farmer have been interviewed. They were asked some kind of contrast questions showing them some laminated posters of the Hispaniolan solenodon, the hutia, rats, mongoose and others.
In that investigation we questioned about 150 people and from that survey we can conclude that not more than 12% of the population of Duchity and the surrounded communities can make the difference among the Hispaniolan solenodon, the hutia, and the mongoose. They are very confused, especially about damages caused by different species. For those who can make the difference, hutias are more commonly recognised than solenodons. At the time the pilot project was running at the locality, about 2 % of the villagers and farmers are conscious about the threats facing by the species. A good environmental education program and community development projects are strongly recommended to help build awareness and the conserving of the biodiversity in the Massif de la Hotte.
One of the local people still had a dead solenodon that he wanted to sell to me. I asked him to guide me to the place he found it. The place was “Trou Bois” near ”Cadet”. It’s a rocky slope about 908, 9 m of altitude. According to that person, the dead body has been found in April 2008. Then, we have taken information for two other dead hutias.
From this research, we found out that the Hispaniolan solenodon still alive may be in minority in the Massif de la Hotte, even in lower altitude than usual. However, farmers and villagers confused the two native land mammals (solenodon and hutia). More than 12% of them cannot differentiate the two mammals and their damages. Because of that they considered the Hispaniolan solenodon as a pest trying to chase them out of their field; thinking that they are destroying their crop plantation (but, in fact, solenodon only eat plants very rarely).
Unfortunately, no one had studied yet the main factors that explained the continued existence of the Hispaniolan solenodon; but it’s an interesting subject. I hope scientists will be interested in that soon; then, will establish effective conservative program to protect the richness of the Massif de la Hotte that is so unique in its biodiversity; for birds, mammals and others. As it will be difficult to establish a conservative programme for the solenodon without thinking about the misery of the population, it will be great to run community development projects to help in the development of the local people so that they may consider the conservative programme.
If you would like to contribute to the conservation of EDGE species, then please become an EDGE Champion, or donate here.