IUCN SSC Global register of competencies for threatened species recovery

This document is a directory of the skills, knowledge and personal attributes required by practitioners working in threatened species recovery programmes, in both in-situ and ex-situ contexts. Its structure consists of 19 categories of competence arranged in three main groups: Planning, Management and  Administration; Threatened Species Recovery; and General Personal Competences. Within each of the three categories, specific competences are defined for up to four professional levels: Executive, Senior Manager, Middle Manager/Technical Specialist and Skilled Worker.

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Connectivity Conservation Initiative for Fresh Drinking Water (Konitsa, Greece)

The solution aims at maintaining ecological connectivity in the long-term by allowing the free movement for the endangered carnivores wolf and brown bear among their habitats considering climate change adaptation objectives. The conservation of ecological corridors between their habitats is essential to sustain biodiversity in a changing climate condition and to ensure the resilience of ecological services. In this framework, the proposed solution address the challenge of securing fresh water supply across corridors that can support basic needs of wildlife species. In addition, this solution is based on the documentation of  traditional knowledge on sustainable water management engaging local communities and maintaining traditional building techniques related to cultural heritage.

Updating protected area fees in Botswana: Aligning prices with current market values through an evidence-based and participatory process

In Botswana, 40% of the territory is under some type of legal environmental protection, with 17% classified as protected areas. However, limited funding increased their exposure to habitat loss, ecosystem conversion, and other pressures. Protected area fees had not been updated since 2000 in the country, contributing to this situation.

The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Botswana, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), revised protected area fees across all national parks and game reserves in the country, except the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Revised fees became effective on April 2022.

In 2023, protected area fees in Botswana generated around USD 7.8 million (BWP 103.9 million) of revenue, compared to USD 4.6 million (BWP 61.3 million) in 2019. This achievement strengthens biodiversity conservation in the country.

Using Digital Innovation to Strengthen Environmental Fine Collection and Support Conservation: The IremboPay Experience in Rwanda

Rwanda’s highly biodiverse ecosystems continue to face threats such as deforestation, illegal logging, and poaching. Challenges in the enforcement of environmental laws, particularly in issuing and collecting fines from offenders, have exacerbated these pressures and limited Rwanda’s domestic funding for conservation initiatives.

The Government of Rwanda, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched IremboPay, a digital platform designed to register environmental offences, instantly issue fines, and automatically channel fine revenues to the Rwanda Green Fund.

As of May 2025, USD 130,000 in environmental fines were processed through IremboPay since its launch in October 2024. These funds are reinvested in reforestation, wetland restoration, environmental education, and other conservation initiatives.

THE EXCLUSIVE ARTISANAL FISHING ZONE: A COMMUNITY INITIATIVE TOWARDS THE CARE OF MARINE MEGAFAUNA AND FOOD SOVEREIGNTY.

The Exclusive Artisanal Fishing Zone (ZEPA), located in the municipalities of Juradó and Bahía Solano, in Chocó, Colombia, was created to protect fishery resources and marine biodiversity, prioritizing artisanal fishing over industrial fishing. This initiative arose in response to overfishing and the negative impact of industrial fishing, which affected the livelihoods of local communities and marine ecosystems. By promoting sustainable practices, such as the use of more selective fishing gear, the ZEPA has facilitated the recovery of species and the protection of crucial habitats for marine megafauna, contributing to essential activities such as echolocation, feeding and reproduction of these species. In addition to conserving biodiversity, it has strengthened local economies by ensuring the availability of fishery resources for artisanal fishing. The ZEPA is an example of how community management and the protection of fishing traditions can lead to ecosystem conservation and improved quality of life for communities.

Increasing funding for protected areas in Kazakhstan: Strengthening management plans, offering paid services, and enhancing the skills of current and future generations

Protected areas in Kazakhstan expanded yearly, reaching 25 million hectares in 2018. However, public funding did not increase accordingly. As a result, the amount of financing per hectare of protected area declined. Challenges in planning and law implementation aggravated this situation.

The Government of Kazakhstan, supported by the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), promoted legal reforms and capacity building to enhance the management and financial sustainability of protected areas. This support was jointly provided with the project “Conservation and sustainable management of key globally important ecosystems for multiple benefits” funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

This initiative catalysed additional public funding for protected areas, which rose from USD 22.5 million in 2018 to USD 60 million in 2024. Moreover, the revenue from paid services in protected areas grew from USD 620 thousand to USD 2.6 million, supporting biodiversity conservation.

Using Green Sukuk Funds to Construct the Maluku Conservation Center in Indonesia

Indonesia is one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, with exceptionally rich fauna and flora. However, illegal wildlife trade has risen in the Maluku province, threatening endemic species. While this situation demonstrates the need to strengthen species conservation efforts, mobilizing funds for such activities is a challenge.

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), accessed USD 2.7 million in green sukuk funds for the construction of the Maluku Conservation Center, dedicated to wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and release into natural habitats. Green sukuks are sovereign bond-like Islamic finance instruments, and their application to biodiversity-related projects was previously limited.

In 2023-2024, 955 birds, 323 reptiles, and 319 other animals were treated and rehabilitated in the Maluku Conservation Center, contributing to the conservation of species and ecosystems.

Best practice guidelines for orangutan wild-to-wild translocation

Determining whether wild-to-wild translocation is an appropriate action requires sound assessment of an individual orangutan’s characteristics, the circumstances surrounding its detection, and in-depth analysis to identify suitable release habitats. This guidance document follows the precautionary principle in prioritising the in situ protection of wild orangutans and their forest habitats, whether large tracts or small fragments. This document helps users determine if wild-to-wild translocation is appropriate for their specific circumstances.

Laws on Paper, Loss on the Ground: Turning Mangrove Laws into Action in Tanzania

The “Sustainable Use of Mangroves in the WIO Region” project, funded by BMZ through WWF Germany, brings Tanzania’s dormant mangrove laws to life. In Kilwa and Pemba, the project supported villages and shehias to register or revitalize Village Natural Resources Committees (VNRCs) and Community Forest Management Areas (CoFMAs). Within 2 years of the project, 7 CoFMAs were established and 2 revived in Pemba; 3 VNRCs were established and 3 revived in Kilwa District. The project capacitated these local mangrove management institutions to develop and enforce mangrove management plans, establish nurseries, and launch restoration and monitoring efforts to recover degraded mangrove zones and address drivers of loss. While VNRCs and CoFMAs are now leading mangrove conservation and management in their areas, two and three mangrove CBOs were established in Pemba and Kilwa, respectively, and are now operational. This scalable solution shows that when laws move from paper to practice, blue forests and coastal livelihoods thrive together.

Tackling emerging conservation threats in Africa

This report will showcase the variety of actions undertaken over the years and discuss some of the key lessons learnt, but above all it will provide a platform to appreciate the crucial role that civil society actors and local communities play in protecting threatened species in Africa.

Country brief: Cameroon

Cameroon hosts rich biodiversity that stretches across its savannahs, forests, and freshwater ecosystems, supporting over 9,000 plant species, 900 bird species, and nearly 300 mammal species, including iconic and endangered animals like forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, lions, and manatees. The country has established over 20 protected areas (national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and reserves) to safeguard this natural heritage in areas such as Bénoué National Park (NP), the Tchabal Mbabo National Park (NP), the Mpem-Djim National Park (NP) and the Lake Ossa Wildlife Reserve, sites where IUCN SOS African Wildlife conservation supported conservation action.

Country brief: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, home to over 10,000 plant species and iconic wildlife like mountain gorillas, bonobos, okapis, and forest elephants. Its ecosystems include the vast Congo Basin rainforest, savannas, wetlands, and montane forests, many of which are globally significant. However, this biodiversity faces significant conservation challenges, exacerbated by socioeconomic instability. Poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade are rampant, driven by the high demand for bushmeat and animal parts. Armed groups further complicate conservation efforts, creating insecurity in remote areas and impeding law enforcement’s ability to combat wildlife crime effectively.

Country brief: Kenya

Kenya, a cornerstone of Africa’s biodiversity, is world-renowned for its rich tapestry of ecosystems from vibrant coastal mangroves and savannahs to arid rangelands and montane forests. Spanning over 580,000 km², Kenya boasts an extensive network of protected areas, including 23 national parks, 28 national reserves, and a growing number of conservancies, now covering more than 6.5 million hectares. These landscapes underpin a robust tourism industry that contributes approximately 10% of the nation’s GDP and provides livelihoods for over one million Kenyans

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