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WildHealthNet Southeast Asia: Operationalizing Wildlife Health Surveillance for One Health

WildHealthNet Southeast Asia: Operationalizing Wildlife Health Surveillance for One Health

The Wildlife Health Surveillance Network, known as WildHealthNet, is a regional initiative supporting national governments in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam to build and implement national wildlife health surveillance strategies. The project has enhanced the ability of these nations to safely detect, monitor, trace, and report emerging pathogens in wildlife, to facilitate more rapid response and mitigation. The system has already detected trans-national disease outbreaks of zoonotic diseases and pathogens of economic, wildlife, and human health significance. More rapid identification of wildlife pathogens benefits public health, livestock health, rural livelihoods and food security, and conservation.

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Climate Action using the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) and restoration efforts to address climate impacts at Songo Mnara and Kilwa Kisiwani

This solution addresses the climate challenges faced by Kilwa Kisiwani and the ruins of Songo Mnara. The primary threats—wave action, sea level rise, erosion, and heavy rainfall—were evaluated using the methodology of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI). In response, key actions were implemented, including the construction of a protective wall, the planting of mangrove trees along the coastline, and the restoration of the stairs at Husuni Kubwa Palace, which had been damaged by wave activity.

One of the key lessons learned was the importance of capacity-building programs for both site managers and local communities. Additionally, securing adequate funding to support community-wide education targeting local stakeholders was identified as essential. The project also involved training community members in restoration techniques using locally sourced materials such as lime, with guidance from specialists in restoration from other World Heritage sites, thus promoting long-term sustainability and fostering community participation

Citizen-science based monitoring for a low-density species to improve national-wide monitoring and greater inclusivity

Census of naturally low-density, widespread occurring and territorial species, in our case the Endangered Southern Ground-hornbill (SGH: Bucorvus leadbeateri), is difficult. In South Africa, we found that traditional atlas data severely under-reported areas where birders prefer not to go birding/ atlassing (remote rural areas/in perceived dangerous areas). However, knowing where SGH exists, and its population status, is a fundamental first step to sound conservation.  We successfully conducted a four-year monitoring programme using citizen-science. By engaging local Champions to start a WhatsApp group for reporting SGH in their area using their own networks, we were able to reach a greater sector of society, people with a cultural association with SGH, but may never have considered being citizen scientists e.g. taxi drivers. Using a simple platform like WhatsApp, rather than a birding app, supported this. We found almost double the previous estimated population (from 567 to 920 groups) and can now target conservation action.

Enhanced conservation of the leopard (Panthera pardus) populations of the Bafing River watershed, Republic of Guinea

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Results-Based Incentive System for Sustainable Forest Development in Ethiopia

The Forests4Future (F4F) project, initiated by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and local partners, introduces a results-based incentive system in Ethiopia to promote sustainable tree planting for forest development. Rather than compensating for the initial planting, the system rewards the successful establishment and survival of trees. Implemented in the Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya catchments, this approach encourages land use change from steep slopes to forest land, aiming for long-term forest creation and ecological restoration. It integrates rigorous selection, planting criteria, and ongoing support to ensure sustainable outcomes. First results indicate strong participation, with more than 280 farmers and community groups restoring approximately 150 hectares of land, achieving higher tree survival rates and a shift in community attitudes towards long-term forest management.

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Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) GIS StoryMap

Dr. Haifa Ben Romdhane, Diana Vasile, Gerhard Erasmus, and myself Basil Roy collaborated together to create a GIS Story Map for the 2023 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition. The competition invites storytellers globally to share stories about restoring and conserving our planet’s lands and waters.

Using satellite imagery, audio and visual content, and field data such as coordinates of wildlife, an elaborate and captivating  web map showcases the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The StoryMap provides a lot of information on our conservation initiatives, flora and fauna found inside the reserve, and our contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

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