One Species at a Time
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Transcript of One Species at a Time
Lisa M. Beck
Jackson School of International Studies-JSIS 578 C
Autumn 2014
Final Assignment – The Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Proposed Project: Saving the Amur Leopard from Extinction
NGO: One Species at a Time (OST)
Mission: Protect and restore both endangered species and the natural habitats in which they live.
Unlike other NGOs of this type, OST focuses on just one species at a time. Created by veterans, it
further distinguishes itself with its dedication to recruiting and training other veterans interested in
OST’s mission.
Headquarters: Enumclaw, Washington
Purpose: Because OST, and so many others, recognize the scientific, historical, and ecological value of
all species.
Founded: February 22, 2014
Vision: OST strives to become a force multiplier in efforts to save species from extinction.
Services: Equipment Supply, Liaison Services, Reforestation, Training and Safety, Monitoring,
Operations, and Security
Area of Operation: Worldwide
Strategic Partnerships (Current and Ongoing): World Wildlife Fund, Plant with Purpose
Proposed Project: The nongovernmental organization OST proposes to assist with conservation
activities that will assist in saving the Amur Leopard from extinction. This project matches the values of
OST in that the mission of this project is in alignment with the principles of the Endangered Species Act
of 1973. Though that is a U.S. law, OST believes the principles of the law are sound and should be
applied throughout the world. More specifically, OST is pursuing this opportunity for all of the reasons
listed below:
The World Wildlife Fund and others consider this animal “critically endangered,” which, among
other criteria for this classification is a reduction in the size of a specie’s population of more
than 90%. With fewer than 40 of these animals alive in the wild today, its status as a species
about to become extinct is not disputed.
Since the beginning of time, species have died out and new species have formed. OST is not
interested in saving every species facing extinction. However, in those instances where a
species is prematurely moving toward extinction due to unnatural causes such as the
unplanned, unorganized expansion of civilization, and especially when it involves poaching or
the exploitation of forests, OST will take action where it can.
It is a well known fact that eliminating even one species may have detrimental effects to the
ecological system to which it belongs that we cannot possibly foresee. Furthermore, those
effects may go beyond the animal’s specific ecosystem.
Through the ages, animals and their genetic material along with it have evolved and when an
animal dies out, restoration or duplication of that material, unlike what some may have seen in
the movie Jurassic Park, is no longer an option.
Project Location: Laso-Naturreservat, Russia, Primorsky Krai
Projected number of participants: A coalition of 15 international and Russian NGOs who are all working
to conserve the Amur leopard and tiger.
Projected number of operational participants: A team of three from OST will team with 5-10 operators
in-country. More may be added later.
Partnerships Created for this Project: Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance, Plant with Purpose, and others
as available or needed.
Specific tasks to be accomplished during this mission:
Assist ALTA by supplying them with funds to cover some of their equipment costs.
Assist ALTA with fire-control activities.
Once fires are under control, bring in the non-profit Plant With Purpose to help restore some of
the forest for the Amur leopard’s natural habitat, bringing them in early on this process.
Assist with the re-introduction project.
Though a 15-member coalition may seem like quite a lot and adding an additional NGO to the mix might
be considered necessary, it is important to note that donations to philanthropic causes are down
worldwide and not all of those in the coalition have an abundance of resources with which to carry out
their missions.
Due Diligence
Each one of the coalition members of ALTA was researched. Charity Navigator was used to ascertain the
worthiness of those members who are NPOs. Though not every NPO was found in it, nor did every
charity receive a top rating (4 stars), none of the information found on these members raised any
concerns. Resources that provided information on what might be fair pay were also consulted. Political,
economic, and military issues did not rise to the forefront during any of this research, but they will be
addressed thoroughly, safely, and judiciously should they arise. Safety for all those involved in this
project is paramount.
Project: Helping to Save the Amur Leopard from Extinction
Date: December 9, 2014
Project Manager: Lisa Beck
Income and Funding Income/Funding Source Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Amount
Income/Funding Source 1 One Species at a Time $500,000
Income/Funding Source 2 World Wildlife Fund $500,000
Total Funding for the Project $1,000,000
Costs Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Amount
Set-Up and Familiarization
Acquiring Needed Equipment
and Supplies
Prepare to Assist With
Fire Control
Assistance with
Controlling the Fires
Assist with Reforestation &
Reintroduction Plans
Personnel $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $100,000
Equipment $80,000 $80,000 $80,000 $80,000 $320,000
Materials and Supplies $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $100,000
Training $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $2,000 $8,000
Insurance (Health, Travel, Security) $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $160,000
Travel $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $3,000 $12,000
Housing $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $100,000
Contingency Funds $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $200,000
Total Costs for the Project $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $250,000 $1,000,000
One Species at a Time
CY 2015
Implementing Agencies of the
Amur Leopard and Tiger Alliance (ALTA)Description/Activities/Mission
Zoological Society of London Devoted to the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats.Wildlife Conservation Society Based at the Bronx Zoo, the organization maintains approximately 500 field conservation projects in 65 countries,
with 200 PhD scientists on staff.Phoenix Fund A Russian wildlife and forest conservation organization serving regions of the Russian Far East, especially Primorski
Krai and Khabarovsk Krai. Wildlife Vets International Wildlife Vets International saves endangered species through putting veterinary expertise at the heart of
conservation. They do this by providing in-country veterinary support and establishing capacity through partnership
with local organizations.
Members of the ALTA Coalition21st Century Tiger Raises funds for wild tiger conservation projects.AMUR A registered charity in Russia and the UK, it promotes public and political awareness of issues related to Amur tiger
and leopard conservation in Russia.David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation Funds key projects to save endangered wild mammals in Africa and Asia.Dreamworld An amusement park in Queensland, Australia.Fondation Segré A Swiss organization supporting conservation across the world.Helsinki Zoo Located on the island of Korkeasaari, this is Finland's largest zoo.International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW Russia) One of the largest animal welfare and conservation charities in the world.Minnesota Zoo One of the first zoos to organize its animals by their living environment as opposed to their species.Moscow Zoo Studies animal behavior, feeding and reproduction, and breeds rare endangered species.Wildlife Alliance An international non-profit wildlife and forest conservation organization, it has worked with local governments,
communities, and like-minded NGOs to implement cutting-edge programs in SE Asia and the Russian Far East.
Tigris Foundation An organization dedicated to the survival of the Amur tiger and leopard in the wild.
One Species at a Time (OST) PartnersWorld Wildlife Fund To stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony
with nature, by:
-conserving the world's biological diversity
-ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
-promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
Plant with Purpose An NPO that works to reverse deforestation and poverty in the world.
Other StakeholdersAnti-Poaching Team A team of dedicated operators who are interested in locating, apprehending, and bringing to justice those who are
poaching the Amur leopard.Forest and Park Officials Work to ensure the continued legacy of some of Russia's most beautiful forests and parks. ALTA and others have
worked to maintain good working relationships with these officials.
Activity to be Measured Indication of Effectiveness Impact
Increase in the number of Amur leopards The Amur leopards are currently considered "critically endangered." If
their numbers could rise by even 25%, it would take them off the critical
list. OST would consider success had been achieved. Despite the fact that
the gestation period for a leopard is only four months, with a population
size this small, this could take more than a year. Still, at the end of 2015,
we should know if we are moving in the right direction.
Eliminating even one species may have detrimental effects on an
ecosystem. Saving the Amur leopard from extinction will help
maintain the balance they once helped establish in Primorsky
Krai.
Reducing the number of poachers A lot of good work has been done in this area. Though a saturation point
with what can be done may have been reached, if it is enough to keep the
poachers away, the current program is effective and just needs to be
maintained. If not, adding another poacher team, additional working dogs,
and a boat for each team will be recommended.
Reducing the number of poachers increases the chances of
survival for the Amur leopards. It also reduces the work load of
the poaching team.
Increasing the number of deer A sufficient number of deer are needed to keep the leopards well fed and
away from homeowners. A reduction in the amount of money that must
be paid to homeowners for reparations as well as the incidences of leopard
attacks will indicate the comprehensive programs in place are working.
A well-fed leopard is good for everyone and increases the
chances that the leopards will grow strong, mate, and bear
healthy off-spring.
Reforestation One report cited a 46% reduction in the amount of forest in the Primorsky
Krai area. Restoring levels in a one-year time is not realistic, but efforts to
reduce the number of fires and restore the forest by planting trees will
eventually prove to be effective. Since a one-year period is not a sufficient
time to restore a forest, effectiveness will be measured, in part, by the
number of trees planted to restore it.
Restoring the forest increases the chances that the Amur leopard
will survive. Lack of forest makes them more susceptible to
predators, to include poachers.
Re-introduction Since this is not a program that is used often, it is difficult to know whether
or not this will turn out to be successful. It is recommended that such a
program be rolled out slowly until its effectiveness, which will be indicated
by new births of leopards, can be proven.
Re-introduction of healthy Amur leopards from zoos increases
the chances of mating. Plus, with the few number of leopards in
the small and diminishing area of Primorsky Krai, the risk of in-
breeding is high. Re-introduction may help with that problem.