WWF declares new list of 10 most endangered species 

courtesy : www.wwf.org 

The Humphead Wrasse, a coral reef fish and Ramin, a tree used in manufacture of furniture and great white sharks are the new species that have made it to the list of 10 'most at risk' species by the WorldWide Fund (WWF). 

The Asian fish and timber and the sharks are so sought-after in some parts of the world that they have joined the ranks of wildlife 'most at risk' from unregulated international trade, the WWF said announcing its list of most endangered species updated every two years.

"Our list this year reflects the varied nature of modern wildlife trade," Director of WWF GLobal Species Programme Dr Susan Lieberman said highlighting the need for protection of "other obscure species also that suffer from unregulated trade."

"WWF is asking for lesser-known wildlife like humphead wrasse, a tropical fish whose lips have spawned a dining trend, to be regulated to ensure that it does not join the ranks of magnificent tiger and the Asian elephant, both on the verge of extinction," she said.

The list based on threats from unsustainable trade and consumer demand, includes Ramin, a hardwood tree found in Malaysia and Indonesia, that is increasingly being targeted by illegal growers, Great White Sharks, Irrawaddy Dolphins, Pig- nosed turtles, Yellow-crested Cockatoos, Asian Yew trees, leaf-tailed Geckos besides the Tiger and Asian elephant.

The declaration comes just about a fortnight ahead of the 13th Conference of Parties meeting of 166 nations- signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Bangkok next month.

These species have been chosen to reflect the diversity and geographical range of wild species affected by uncontrolled and unregulated international trade, the global conservation group observed asserting that it had chosen five "priority" species for lobbying and advocacy at the CITES convention this year.

The priority species besides the Humphead Wrasse, Ramin and Great White Sharks are Irrawaddy Dolphin, Saiga antelope, African elephants and Minke Whales.

Humphead Wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), a bulbous-headed coral reef fish is caught and displayed live in tanks for diners in East Asian restaurants. Demand has grown steadily for this delicacy which now costs more than USD 100 per kg.

The fish is thus being unsustainably harvested, and since it is rare and slow to produce, its population are now suffering greatly, the WWF said.

The great white sharks, (carcharodon Carcharias), the largest of the sharks is poached for its jaws, teeth and fins which fetch high prices in international market. They are also threatened because of bycatch in fishing gear.

Ramin, or Gonystylus species is a tropical hardwood that is used in the manufacture of furniture and venetian blinds. Its unsustainable harvesting by loggers has put at risk the habitat of other endangered animals like Tigers and orangutans

Scientific Session on Captive Elephant Management

Presentations and Recommendations
The scientific seminar in connection with the International Workshop on Captive Elephant Management held at Trichur from 25th - 28th October 2002 concluded with the Plenary Session. 

Dr. M. Krishnan Nair, Retired Dean, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy chaired the session. Chairpersons of various sessions, Dr. R. Sukumar (Chairman, Asian Elephant Specialists Group, IUCN), Dr. L. N. Acharjyo (Retd. Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Nandankanan Zoological Gardens, Orissa), Dr. Fred Kurt (Austria) and Dr. Khyne U Mar (Myanmar) reviewed the papers discussed in various sessions in the areas of Conservation and Biology, Diseases, Management and Training and Work and presented the recommendations. The forum discussed and finalised the draft recommendations after incorporating suggestions from various experts participating in the workshop.

An interactive session on Captive Elephant Disease Management was lead by Dr. K. C. Panicker, Dr. Jacob V. Cheeran, Dr. K. N. Muraleedharan Nair, Dr.R.Kaimal and Dr. P. O. George. Veterinarians from different elephant range countries actively participated in the session through exchange of their ideas and experiences.

Tuberculosis - a hidden threat to Elephants
Dr. N. Vijayan, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy in his paper on autopsy of elephants presented in the Workshop on Captive Elephant Management at Thrissur reported that Tuberculosis is commonly encountered in captive elephants. This is of most important because of its contagious and zoonotic nature. 

Dr.P.C.Saseendran reported that there was not much effect of season with regard to incidence of impaction, a major GI tract affection of elephants. According to Dr. Jayakrishnan, in an elephant with gastro-intestinal impaction mild metabolic alkalosis, hypochloremia and hypokalemia were noticed. Treatment with balanced electrolyte is recommended in the earlier stages. 

Dr. K.C. Panicker in his paper on fatal enteritis in young elephant calves reported that in majority of cases salmonella is the major causative agent. On autopsy, ulcers of varying sizes could be seen on the mucosa of the G.I. tract. Moreover suppurative arthritis was commonly noticed in the joints and mortality is about 60%, Dr. Panicker told. 

Dr. Jacob V. Cheeran, in his paper on adverse drug experience in elephants reported that Diclofenac Sodium, one of the most commonly used non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs when administered orally or intra-muscularly was found to cause gastro-intestinal disturbance in elephants. 

Dr. K.N. Muraleedharan Nair reported the successful use of metallic splint for the immobilization of long bone factures in elephants. Dr. Mohan Joseph of Animal Husbandry Dept presented a paper on restorative treatment (Sukhachikilsa). 

In the areas of management, Fred Kurt of Institute of Wildlife Biology, Vienna presented a simple but accurate method to estimate the body weight of Asian elephants. 

Dr. S.M. Khadri of Mysore Zoo presented a paper on calf rearing. Dr. E.K. Easwaran of Forest Department told that more measures should be taken in the areas of health care through systematic training of mahouts. 

Dr. K.P. Sreekumar presented a paper on the effect of age in the body weight of Asian elephants. B Clausen of RSPCA London stressed that mobile elephant clinic can be efficiently used quoting the examples from Thailand. 

The major recommendations are :

1. To establish mobile veterinary clinic for elephants.

2. To allow breeding of captive elephants.

3. Measures should be taken to control over exploitation of working potential of elephants.

4. Regular monitoring of endocrine status of Asian elephants.

5. Provide scientific packages for feeding, management and health care of elephants.

6. Research on tuberculosis, suppurative arthritis, and fatal calf enteritis should be strengthened.

7. Database on traditional knowledge of local people should be compiled. And should be taken into consideration while planning different programmes.

8. An International Society for Asian Elephants should be constituted.

9. More studies are needed in the areas of elephant behaviour, social isolation and management.

10. Regular scientific training programmes for mahouts should be conducted.

Contributed by
Dr.T.P.Sethumadhavan
Rakendu, S.K.V.C Road, Thrissur-11, Kerala
E-mail: tpsethu2000@yahoo.com