Wildlife Works Blog

African Wild Dogs in Rukinga

Posted by wlwswp on December 9, 2013 No comments

To effectively protect the wildlife in our project area, the Wildlife Works biodiversity monitoring team and rangers employ several strategies to ensure all species present are safely maintained and to record data for referencing purposes. Some ways used to monitor the wildlife include ranger patrols, road transects and camera traps, which are set by the biodiversity team.

Den of African Wild dogs at Rukinga Ranch

A lion approaches the den of the pups

Wildlife Works rangers, on the other hand, document data of the wildlife they encounter on the ranches whilst on security patrols. Combined, these methods of supervising the wellbeing of our wildlife, has proven effective at uncovering important information on some of the most rare wildlife in the world.

Recently, one of the cameras set by the biodiversity monitoring team captured remarkable images of a pack of 10 African Wild Dogs, eight of which were puppies. This was the fifth time that African Wild Dogs have been spotted in our project area in the span of a year.

African Wild Dog pups

The international Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Wild Dog as an endangered species and the sighting of a den in Rukinga is very advantageous to our conservation efforts. It is estimated that the global population of the African Wild Dog is around 6,600 dispersed over 39 subpopulations, with anywhere from 6 to 276 wild dogs in each subpopulation. Other reports of the African Wild Dog in Kenya have been made in Laikipia and Maasai Mara.

A lion approaches the den at night

Infectious diseases, habitat fragmentation, accidental killing by snares set by small game poachers, natural predators and conflict with human activities form the majority of threats on this rare population. Wildlife Works, in conjunction with the local community, hopes to conserve the species in our project area from deprivation. To achieve this, we provide the local community with sustainable and alternative sources of income, which keeps humans from encroaching on the wildlife sanctuaries.

With the support from all our stakeholders, we strive to protect the species of African Wild Dogs as well as all other wildlife that inhabit the Kasigau Corridor.

Wild Dog and pups outside their den

Kileva uses carbon credits to construct new classroom

Posted by wlwswp on November 25, 2013 No comments

Kileva Eastfield Primary School is thrilled to announce the construction of its new classroom, thanks to proceeds from their conservation efforts. The stone and iron structure is able to accommodate 40 students, and was built using funds from the sale of carbon credits in the Kasigau REDD+ Project.

The new construction is especially welcomed by school-going children, who previously walked up to 6 km to access neighboring primary schools. This long trek was through wildlife-dense landscape and made even more treacherous by the early morning hours in which the children were traveling. Apart from being dangerous for pupils, the frequent journey between villages was a source of constant conflict between humans and wildlife.

The foundation of the Kileva primary school at Sagalla

According to Johnstone Mwamondo, a manager at the Sagalla Conservation and Development Forum, the construction of the classroom is a major step towards the completion of the school as a whole, which currently admits students up to Standard Six (equivalent to 6^th grade in the US).

“We, the people of Kileva, are proud of the achievement. It is through hard work conserving forests that the new classroom has been constructed. We trust that through continued conservation of our forested areas, we will be able to implement even more projects like this,” says Mr. Mwamondo.

More progress on the Kileva school

The Kileva community borders Sagalla and Mgeno Ranches, which the community works to protect from deforestation and degradation under the REDD+ Project. This is a bold, but vital, step for a community that has been extremely reliant on the surrounding land for its livelihood. Upon the realization that their activities on the land were both illegal and unsustainable, the community agreed to join Wildlife Works and help with their conservation efforts.

After two years of being part of the REDD+ Project, the community knows first hand the benefits of conservation. Apart from the Kileva Eastfield Primary School, there have been several other projects launched and completed in the greater Sagalla area, such as the construction of classrooms in several other schools including Kajire Secondary School, Mwambiti Primary School, and Mchange Pre-school.

The finished school in Kileva

Furthermore, after receiving payments from the selling of carbon credits, a community based organization and locational carbon committee agreed to set aside more than $11,000 for the construction of classrooms at the aforementioned schools. They were also able to disburse scholarships to the most vulnerable children in the community through Wildlife Works Carbon Trust Fund. So far, more than 610 students have received scholarships covering part of school tuition and 9 have received full scholarships. In total, the community has spent $53,658 on scholarships and sponsorship.

Kileva primary school

There is no doubt that Kileva has a bright future, thanks to their decision to to enrich the land around them. Their children have a better chance at education, and their community is more sustainable. We hope our legacy can continue in more African communities so there can be more emphasis on conservation and making Kenya a better place for future generations.

Welcoming Mai Ndombe in the DRC to the Wildlife Works REDD+ Portfolio

Posted by wlwswp on November 11, 2013 No comments

As the largest Sub-Saharan country in Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has a vast array of environments, peoples, wildlife, and politics. The province of Bandundu, located on the west of the country, is the most densely forested province and is highly coveted by the lumber industry. It is currently home to many animal species such as man’s closest relative (and cousin to the Chimpanzee), the endangered Bonobo.

A Bonobo. Photo by realanimalslife.com

The region is also home to many other animals such as forest elephants and leopards, as well as an abundance of diverse and rare native plant species. These animals and forests, not to mention the local peoples, are under threat due to the increasing demand for high valued timber from the lumber industry, and their unsustainable forest practices.

Wenge Tree. Photo by end-newswire.com

Logging companies desire this area largely due to its high density of Wenge trees – a highly valuable and beautiful tree – where in the Mai Ndombe region it is the most abundant in all of central Africa. Following logging, a cascade of events ultimately leading to deforestation, threatens this region as it has affected so many others in DR Congo. Compounded by intensive and unsustainable hunting, agriculture, and other pressures on the land, the area is in need of protection.

Kids playing in the water at Bosongo Village in the project area

Thankfully for both the environment and the people of the area, Wildlife Works has acquired the “exploitation rights” (including the rights to the carbon), of two large logging concessions in the province adjacent to Lac Mai Ndombe. Instead of being logged, Wildlife Works has created a “conservation covenant” on the concessions totaling nearly 300,000ha of forest land. This is a little larger than the size of Luxembourg.

The area is now protected for the duration of the 30-Year carbon project. Historically this area has been a habitat for an array of forest types, plant species, animals and habitats. It is also home to over 30,000 Congolese who work hard to survive their version of the difficult African lifestyle.

One of the two schools the project has built located in the village of Lokanga.The chief of the village stands at the center of the photo.

In December of 2012 the project was awarded the first ever CCBA and VCS accreditation in DR Congo. Wildlife Works began selling offsets which will fund the further development of many activities for forest protection and betterment of livelihoods in the project and surrounding areas. The project has already accomplished many things in a short time including the construction of two schools, the implementation of a mobile medical clinic, distributed school supplies, and established several agroforestry sites and demonstration gardens to help diversify and improve nutrition in the area.

A young lucena for agroforestry plots

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting new Wildlife Works Carbon initiative.

Getting to know Daniel Munyao: Wildlife Works EPZ Factory Manager

Posted by wlwswp on November 7, 2013 No comments

In our latest who’s who profile series, we caught up with Daniel Munyao, production and quality control manager at the Wildlife Works EPZ factory. Daniel was born in Machakos County and recalls his early life as a constant struggle for survival. He frequently went to school hungry and without shoes on his feet. At a young age, Daniel was forced to stop attending due to the high financial stress it put on his parents.

Daniel is a proud supervisor at Wildlife Work’s eco factory

Fortunately soon after, a humanitarian organization called World Vision that had begun to form a presence in the area, was sponsoring young people to study vocational courses in a local polytechnic attached to the village’s school. Although he had no distinct career path in mind, Daniel decided to enroll in the program to study textile tailoring. Daniel remembers, “When I was in Primary School, I had a friend whose brother was a tailor, and we would spend most of the weekend at his tailoring shop. This made me fall in love with tailoring.”

Daniel at EPZ factory checkin some finished t-shirts

Daniel discussing finished tees with his workers

Once he was through with his training, Daniel set out for Nairobi in search of employment. He started as a tailor in a local clothing factory, as well as working as a shoe mender. Eventually Daniel joined Tinga Tinga Clothing Limited where he rose in the ranks to become a senior supervisor after 10 years.

In September 2002, while reading the newspaper, Daniel came across an advertisement to become a manager at Wildlife Works EPZ clothing factory, which at the time employed less than 10 seamstresses. Due to his passion for wildlife conservation, Daniel decided to apply for the position. Eleven years later, Daniel is still an integral factor in the day-to-day running of the factory.

Daniel aspires to be a fashion designer one day

When asked about his future plans, Daniel has one thing to say: “I would one day love to see the words, ‘Designed by Daniel Munyao’ on a major clothing label, I would love to learn fashion design!” It is evident by the success Daniel has gained relative to his humble background that he is capable of anything he puts his mind to. Daniel attributes his career growth to patience and the ability to face challenges head-on, as well as to his friend’s brother, and mentor, with whom Daniel constantly measured his progress and growth.

Kenyans tell poachers to keep their “Hands off Our Elephants”

Posted by wlwswp on November 7, 2013 1 comment

On the 24^th of August, after enjoying a period of relative peace, armed poachers struck Rukinga Ranch, slaying a male elephant for its valuable tusks. Within days, our rangers made another gruesome discovery at Amaka Ranch: two more elephants amid rifle cartridges. A short time later, when two additional elephants were killed for their tusks at Washumbu Ranch, the entire camp was left shaken.

Wildlife Works Rangers hold an elephant tusk left behind

Conservationists and Kenyans alike are infuriated by the ruthless massacre of endangered wildlife, such as the estimated 2,500 elephants that call the Kasigau corridor home. Recently, Kenyans participated in a sensitization campaign on twitter and other media outlets urging poachers to keep their “hands off our elephants.” The campaign is the initiative of WildlifeDirect, a charitable organization founded by Dr. Richard Leakey. A politician, paleoanthropologist, and conservationist from Nairobi, Dr. Leakey is the son of prominent archeologists and has spent his whole life crusading for wildlife in Kenya.

Kenyans have shown an immense support for the “Hands Off Our Elephants” campaign, specifically on social media sites, where comments are largely aimed at those governments in Asia where the sale of game trophies is especially thriving. High profile corporate and government officials, including Kenya’s first lady Mrs. Margaret Kenyatta and the executive officer at Kenya Airways, Titus Naikuni, have also shown their support for the campaign.

Rifle Cartridges found with the elephant carcass

An active online petition seeks to have President Uhuru Kenyatta amend the Kenyan law to include stiffer penalties for those found committing crimes against wildlife. Until recently, very few of those caught in poaching-related cases were actually imprisoned and fines that were imposed remained at a minimum.

However, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has threatened to impose sanctions on Kenya and other countries in the ‘Gang of Eight’ for failure to adequately protect endangered wildlife. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were identified as the source countries for illegal ivory in a one-week conference held in Bangkok in March. The Philippines and Malaysia were named as transit countries for illegal ivory, with China and Thailand specified as main destination countries for these shipments.

An injured elephant

If the CITES sanction comes into effect, the three East African countries stand to lose the most as they could be banned from all economic activities related to the trade of wildlife products from the CITES 135,000 list of endangered species.

This is one of many reasons it’s important that poachers, and the countries that house them, are held accountable for their crimes against wildlife before intelligent and majestic animals, such as the elephant, are completely wiped out of the Kasigau corridor.

Every one of us can do something to ensure that the killing stops and the demand for ivory ends. It all begins with you and I. Pledge to never purchase ornaments made from ivory. In addition to the previously mentioned petition to the Kenyan president, say no to ivory by signing the petition at iworry.org. Sign the petition to stop the demand for ivory at change.org. Raise awareness on the plight of the African elephant. Support wildlife groups who work to protect animals and curb poaching. Help us spread our message.

African Buffalo Rescue

Posted by wlwswp on October 23, 2013 No comments

African buffaloes, which are known to be among the most vicious and ruthless species in the animal kingdom, can be highly unpredictable. While few would risk their lives to get close to one of these beasts, the wildlife rangers at Rukinga Ranch were recently left with little choice when a female African Buffalo was discovered trapped in a water tank. Those who assisted in her rescue assume the unfortunate buffalo was accidently knocked off balance while its herd was drinking from the tank.

The buffalo growing tired after the tank is filled

With help from our team in the office, Wildlife Works rangers agreed that the most effective way to rescue the ill-fated buffalo was to fill the water tank to the brim until the buffalo floated to a position where its massive body could be pulled or lifted to safety.

When the water tank finally began to overflow, our very own Conservation Landscape Manager, Fraser Smith, made the bold decision to pull the massive buffalo from the water tank. In order to do so, Fraser and the team fastened a rope around the exhausted buffalo and covered its eyes with a cloth.

Wildlife Works crew fastening the rope to pull the buffalo to safety

After the first two attempts, during which it inadvertently came loose, the rope was then strapped to the buffalo’s horns. After more than nine exhausting hours, the buffalo was momentarily stunned when it found itself outside the tank, but quickly returned to its vicious nature. Once it regained energy the buffalo immediately began to charge its rescuers, denting a vehicle and piercing a tire with its sharp horns, then disappeared into the bushes before the David Sheldrick Trust Team were able to sedate it and uncoil the rope from around its horns.

The rescue mission, not unlike another mission to rescue a baby elephant that had been stuck in the mud at Mgeno Ranch, represents the delicate interplay between humans and wildlife.

Ijema Returns to Work after an Incredible Recovery

Posted by wlwswp on October 17, 2013 3 comments

On July 10^th, Ijema was welcomed back into the Wildlife Works ranks after a nearly 18-month recovery following a gruesome poaching-related incident in which he received a bullet wound to his shoulder. The catastrophe, which was the first time in Wildlife Works’ 15 years of operation that an employee was lost to a poaching-related incident, also lead to the death of ranger, Abdullahi Mohammed.

Ijema and his family are happy to report tremendous improvements to his health after undergoing an operation to have a replacement titanium plate fitted to increase the mobility in his shoulder.

Ijema after his successful shoulder surgery

Those working close with him report a jubilant Ijema who has come back with renewed vigor. “Ijema is feeling much better and livelier,” says Eric, the head ranger. “We are putting him on light duties until we are assured that he is strong enough to start taking on more demanding duties.”

Ijema, who currently spends most of his time doing patrols with Eric, was among a team of WW rangers and KWS officers tracking poachers after the discovery of a wounded elephant in the Kasigau Corridor project area.

Only wildlife rangers, such as Ijema, are experienced enough to get this close to an elephant

An optimistic Ijema expressed appreciation for U.S. government efforts, such as President Obama’s formation of a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking and his pledge to donate $10 million towards combating crimes against wildlife, to eliminate the ruthless killing of elephants and other rare wildlife.

Our rangers indeed report that there have been fewer cases of poaching reported around the Wildlife Works project area after the government launched a major security operation to eliminate nomadic herders from the ranches.

Ijema with colleagues after he was able to return to work

“I am grateful to be coming back to work at a time when fewer cases of poaching have been reported in the last few months,” says Ijema.

“I realize and appreciate the efforts that everyone concerned is putting into place to eliminate poaching from our wildlife sanctuaries and make them a better place for both the wildlife and the communities that live around them, “ concludes Ijema.

Wildlife Works Offsets Volcom Fiji Pro 2013

Posted by wlwswp on August 23, 2013 No comments

Wildlife Works is ecstatic to be the official carbon offset provider of Sustainable Surf, at the Volcom Fiji Pro – Deep Blue Surfing Event!

Sustainable Surf is a non-profit charity organization that helps major surf contests reduce their impact with a comprehensive approach to reducing waste, using renewable energy and supporting local communities.

Utilizing our Kasigau REDD+ project we were able to offset 100% of the carbon from the Volcom FIjji Pro event that took place in June 2013!

The following information has been copied directly from sustainablesurf.org:

More African Trees = Healthier Fijian Reefs

What is a Deep Blue Surfing Event anyway?

A Deep Blue Surfing Event is a more “Ocean Friendly” event, which has been endorsed by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) as a clear path for reducing environmental impacts of a professional surfing contest, while also providing social benefits for the local community.

Deep Blue Surfing Events address impacts directly related to the local contest area, including waste reduction, protection of natural resources, and the building of stronger communities. Deep Blue Surfing Events also reduce global threats to the sport of surfing itself from the effects of climate change, such as reductions in global wave heights, sea level rise, ocean acidification and the loss of the world’s living coral reefs, by reducing and offsetting carbon emissions from the event.

Summary of Impact Reductions:

The 2013 Volcom Fiji Pro (VFP) has been evaluated to have met or exceeded the minimum requirements, and has been designated as a Deep Blue Surfing Event™ by Sustainable Surf.

1.Waste Diversion: At least 40% of waste diverted from landfill

2.Climate Change: 100% of CO2 footprint mitigated (a “carbon-neutral” event)

3.Community Support: Three community-focused non-profit organization partners

Sustainable Surf’s post-event evaluation of Volcom’s efforts indicates that the Volcom Fiji Pro has exceeded the minimum requirements of three categories: Waste, Climate Change and Community Outreach. To receive a Deep Blue Surfing Event designation, an event is required to develop a data collection plan for measuring performance regarding the reduction of environmental impacts, and it must meet the minimum goals for at least two of the five major categories of environmental impacts. As with Volcom’s efforts last year, the remaining two categories (Energy and Transportation) remain a significant challenge (or are not as applicable) for this particular event, given the constraints of the remote contest site in Fiji. On the plus side, Tavarua’s remoteness does not allow for a large group of on-site spectators, which has an overall effect of helping to further reduce environmental impacts related to the majority of the categories measured.

The sustainability efforts of the 2013 Volcom Fiji Pro contest were aided in large part again, by the choice to site the majority of the event’s operational footprint at the world famous Tavarua Island Resort (TIR), which is instituting a robust sustainability strategy aimed at obtaining the first Sustainable Surf Tourism Certification – a program of the Center For Surf Research at San Diego State University.

For a detailed summery of the data, results and suggested improvements per category, visit SustainableSurf.org!

Mwemba Primary School: Carbon credits create classrooms!

Posted by wlwswp on August 22, 2013 No comments

The community improvement teams at Wildlife Works are on a roll! Recently, we celebrated the grand opening of the Mwatate Secondary School funded by carbon credits as part of Wildlife Works’ brand of REDD, but we didn’t stop there! Wildlife Works is happy to announce the completion of the Mwemba Primary School building. The goal for the new Mwemba school, which is currently comprised of a preschool class, a staffroom and a toilet, is to eventually add 10 more classrooms, a library, an electricity connection and a kitchen among other utilities. Fortunately, several stakeholders were present during the official school opening and have promised to continue the progress that Wildlife Works has started.

The new Mwemba Primary School

Taita-Taveta’s Deputy Governor Mary Ndiga at the new school opening

Schools are needed more than ever in the ranches and villages surrounding our project area in Southeast Kenya. Children as young as six years old walk up to eight kilometers to attend classes in the village of Shighadi ya Mwemba. The journey is long, tiring and wrought with dangerous wild animals. More than one pupil has missed school due to the long journey and the fear of wild animals has only heightened the human-wildlife conflict in the region. In 2010, town elders and administrative officials proposed building a school in Mwemba. They approached several potential donors and attempted to raise funds but could not meet the strict requirements, which include raising 10% of the total cost before beginning construction. The arrival of Wildlife Works and REDD+ in the villages of Mwatate and Mwachabo in 2011 provided a real boost to the community. In addition to providing funding for projects via sales of carbon credits, the presence of Wildlife Works has encouraged residents to plant trees and be more mindful of conservation and sustainable living techniques.

The new Mwemba Primary School is just one of the education-targeted projects that the community has been able to undertake. Wildlife Works is also currently working on constructing a classroom in the Mngama Primary School, and building a new Ngangu water chamber.

From left to right: (speaking) Deputy Governor Mary Ndiga, Education
Officer Stanley Mwang’ombe, Community Relation Officer Laurian Lenjo Mwandoe, and Ronald Mzame, the area chief of Mwachabo location.

Wildlife Works’ Community Relations Manager Laurian Lenjo Mwandoe

We at Wildlife Works are so proud to be a part of the celebration and we are thrilled to see communities directly benefitting from environmental conservation, not only in the short-term but also over generations to come.

Help Save Recently Discovered Rare Mountain Lions in Ethiopia

Posted by wlwswp on August 21, 2013 No comments

For the first time, mountain lions have been discovered in the Ethiopia Kafa project area. Kafa, the birthplace of wild arabica coffee, also harbors exciting wildlife, striking landscapes and vibrant cultures.

According to the Kafa Coffee Biosphere Reserve, The German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union provided the first evidence of lions in the Montane rain and cloud forest. Until now, the African lion had only been documented and photographed outside of the rainforest.

The discovery of lions in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve took place as part of the wider conservation work by our REDD partners Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union, or NABU, in Southwest Ethiopia.

The African Mountain Lion is classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and needs our protection. Aqua Vita Films, in collaboration with NABU, is currently raising money to make a documentary about the newly discovered lions. Education and information are key, as the lions could be killed if they are seen as a threat to the locals.

With your help, Aqua Vita Films can make the documentary “Expedition Jungle Lion” in order to learn more about these rare lions, raise awareness of them and protect them from the bullet. You are invited to become a part of this remarkable film through Aqua Vita’s Kickstarter fund: www.kickstarter.com/projects/aquavita/jungle-lions-film-worlds-first.

The following information is copied directly from the “Expedition Jungle Lion” Kickstarter page:

In the last real wilderness of Ethiopia mighty roars echo through the mountain jungle. Living here is a secret population of lions unknown to science until last year, but already they are under threat because they are feared. These forest lions truly are the ‘King of the Jungle’. Elusive yet bold, they hunt different prey, but how different are their lives from the lions of the savannah? Are they indeed an entirely new species of lion? This film will uncover the lion’s secrets.

We know very little about these lions. However one thing we do know is that over the years they have killed up to 850 livestock on the edge of the forest. Despite this, the locals never harmed these lions or shot them. That is because they respect them as they are very much part of their tradition and mythology. So when hunters were brought in to “deal” with the problem, the village elders told the farmers to mislead the marksmen to where the lions were, by giving false information about their whereabouts, so remarkably leaving not one lion killed.

It is now urgent that we document these lions before this happens again. Next time the lions may not be so lucky. We quickly need to give both the lions and the local people a voice, so to avoid a disaster. There are solutions to this problem and this film will explore these, and share it with a global audience.

We are mounting an expedition to film their behaviour, estimate how many there are, what they are hunting, their interactions with the indigenous coffee harvesters and the threats they face. Using our unique skills of wildlife filming, camera traps and field craft we will set out to reveal the true life of these mysterious lions. The film aims to help protect these lion by revealing their uniqueness and importance to our planet.

These lions are found in forests where the original coffee was discovered. The locals perform coffee ceremonies and talk of their spiritual relationship with the lion. They have a second sense, hearing a twig snap or a bird call they stop and say “The King is Here”.

Although the locals talked about lions in the forest, no-one listened to them. Last year NABU, the renowned German conservation organisation, provided the first evidence of lions in the Afro-montane rain and cloud forest. It astounded the world press, African lions had only before been recorded on savannah and thorny scrub, not living high up in remote mountain rainforests.

Lions are gravely imperiled and on the IUCN RED LIST. Habitat loss, prey depletion, hunting, and poisonings have decimated Africa’s lions. In the last 100 years, it is believed that the lion population has declined by 85% and now are extinct in 26 African countries.

These forests are also known as Ethiopia’s green lungs. They catch the rain that feeds the rivers that support the nation. They are the birthplace of Arabica coffee that first grew here 1000 years ago. Incredible bird, plant, monkey species live here along with hippo, bush pig, leopard and our secret lions.

Lions have always been revered in Ethiopia and they are on the national currency. But tolerance is changing and today the relationship with the lions is in danger of disintegrating due to the loss of lion habitat, forcing lions into farming areas. More and more kills of livestock are being reported and conservationists fear that the respectful relationship between man and lion could change for the worse. This film will reveal the special relation the locals have for the lions, despite their livestock being killed.

NABU is working with people such as Dr Hans Bauer who has 15 years experience in conservation management he first studied the lions of Cameroon. The film will highlight the importance of future research on these lions, and so protecting them.

EXPEDITION JUNGLE LION is an Aqua Vita Films production with the assistance of NABU Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union in Germany. NABU are working to research, protect and manage the incredible wildlife in this Biosphere Reserve and work to protect the forest people. We passionately feel that this remarkable story needs to be told!

This film will be used to inform schools, organizations, corporations, businesses and governments about the importance of these lions and why they need to be protected. We ask you to keep pledging beyond our goal, as the bigger the funding, the better the film. One aim is make a greater in depth film about these lions for international broadcast, but we cannot do this unless we get this footage first.

So why do we need your support? We are investing a lot of time and expertise in developing this film, as well as providing latest High Definition film equipment. However it is important that we raise enough funds, not just to get out there, but also, to allow us to spend the time needed to get crucial footage of these amazing rare lions. Every penny that is pledged goes 100% into the production of the film.

Our top reward gives you the opportunity to join us on our expedition for one week. The second highest an opportunity to be in the cuttingroom to see the film taking shape. However our other rewards allow you to be very much a partner in this project.

Dr Bernard Walton says, “This film can only be made with your pledge. Please look at the rewards carefully and see what you will receive by contributing to this important project. To protect these lions, we need to better understand them and to do that, we ask you to be part of this exciting project – the world’s first film on Jungle Lions!”

Thank you.

This film is ambitious but also realistic. We are experienced nature filmmakers who have worked with all the major broadcasters, such as BBC, National Geographic Channel, Animal Planet, etc. We always weigh up the challenges carefully and we are very positive about this expedition. Bernard Walton has 30 years experience in nature film production, most of that with the BBC Natural History Unit. We are working closely with German biologists and field workers who are with NABU Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union who are associated with Birdlife International. They have been working in the these forests for several years and they have assisted in the first photographs to be taken.

We currently judge that given enough time and armed with the right video capture equipment, we should be able film these lions for the very first time. Principally the more time we have out there, the greater the chances of success and the more behaviour we shall film. For this reason we encourage you to help us exceed the minimum pledge required and help give these newly discovered lions a real chance to survive in the future.

Please visit Kickstarter.com to back this project, ask a question or find out more about the film “Expedition Jungle Lion” www.kickstarter.com/projects/aquavita/jungle-lions-film-worlds-first

Wildlife Works Blog

African Wild Dogs in Rukinga

Kileva uses carbon credits to construct new classroom

Welcoming Mai Ndombe in the DRC to the Wildlife Works REDD+ Portfolio

Getting to know Daniel Munyao: Wildlife Works EPZ Factory Manager

Kenyans tell poachers to keep their “Hands off Our Elephants”

African Buffalo Rescue

Ijema Returns to Work after an Incredible Recovery

Wildlife Works Offsets Volcom Fiji Pro 2013

Mwemba Primary School: Carbon credits create classrooms!

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