Earthtrust initiated its first land-based program in 1989, focusing on the need to preserve and protect tigers. As an outgrowth of the process of gathering information, establishing Asian contacts and building a worldwide network for tiger protection, Earthtrust's concerns have expanded to include other species endangered by illegal trade and vanishing habitats.
Earthtrust also works directly with foundations and visionary individuals to create custom strategies and programs to save targeted species and habitats; for information contact ET president Don White at this address:
Rhino Campaign
Until 1994, Keith Highley [66K GIF picture
of Keith in field] and Suzie Chang Highley managed Earthtrust's
field office in Taiwan, investigating wildlife trade and the sale
of animal body parts used in the preparation of traditional medicines.
Demand for these products drives the poaching, smuggling, and
black market network worldwide for a variety of species from tiger
to bear and rhinoceros. The Highleys created an awareness and
education campaign to inform the public about the threat to African
and Asian rhinoceros species resulting from the popularity of
rhino horn-based medicinals. A Chinese-language color map, brochure
and video titled "Save the Rhino"
have been produced using information and footage obtained on the
Asian Wildlife Initiative's African expedition.
Tiger Campaign
An extensive market survey of tiger parts
in Taiwan was completed in March 1993. The data confirms the
continued demand for a variety of tiger parts, despite domestic
laws which prohibit trade in endangered species. The Highleys
developed a five-point Action Plan for Taiwan which emphasizes
effective law enforcement and education as necessary steps toward
ending the consumption of tiger parts. Earthtrust efforts have
also included providing information and documentation to Washington
DC State Department and USFWS officials regarding Taiwan's promises
to take concrete steps to shut down the trade in rhino horn and
tiger parts. We support legislative measures designed to ensure
strengthened legislation, enforcement and penalties concerning
the sale and possession of endangered species products.
Bear Campaign
Earthtrust, in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United
States, has also done extensive field work to document the trade
in bear parts, particularly bear gall bladders and bear paws,
which are parts of the Chinese medicine and the "exotic gourmet"
trend in East Asia, respectively. The Highleys again spearheaded
this effort, conducting sometimes dangerous undercover work in
China. Their sometimes shocking results are documented in their
extensive report, titled "Bear Farming
and Trade in China and Taiwan".
Marine Activities
Driftnetting and dolphin-drive fisheries are also monitored on
a regular basis. In the spring of 1990, Earthtrust campaigners
from Hawaii, California, New Zealand, and Taiwan met on the island
of Penghu, Taiwan to document the traditional capture and slaughter
of migrating dolphins. Many of the dolphins and pseudorcas captured
were released after Earthtrust recruited the support of educational,
religious, and political leaders in negotiating with the local
fishermen. Because of Earthtrust's activities to focus international
attention on the issue, the Taiwan Council of Agriculture added
dolphins to the list of protected species covered by their Wildlife
Protection Law. Earthtrust continues to work toward supporting
enforcement of the new law and preventing the capture of dolphins
in Taiwan, by conducting information programs for school children
and community groups.
Photos of Dolphin Kills at Penghu.
CAUTION: The following photos contain graphic images of dolphins and false killer whales being tortured and butchered at Penghu. NOT FOR THE QUEASY.
[Penghu Photo 1: 66K GIF]
[Penghu Photo 2: 66K GIF]
[Penghu Photo 3: 66K GIF]
[Penghu Photo 4: 50K GIF]
[Penghu Photo 5: 66K GIF]
Conferences
Earthtrust participates in various international conferences and
forums relating to wildlife issues. At the 1992 Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in Kyoto,
Japan, Earthtrust provided testimony and information on the need
to strengthen bans on trade in endangered species; particularly
rhinoceroses and Siberian tigers. In October of 1992, Earthtrust
representatives were invited to attend the first-ever Asian CITES
meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In November of that year Keith
Highley joined international tiger conservation experts gathered
in Indonesia to participate in two workshops on the protection
of Sumatran Tigers. The 1993 UNEP (United Nations Environment
Program) Donor's conference in Kenya for rhinoceros conservation
was attended by our Taiwan managers. An Earthtrust corporate sponsor
in Taiwan donated funds which the Highleys arranged to have distributed
for specific rhino protection projects in Zimbabwe, Namibia and
Nepal.
... and continuing into the 21st century: Saving Asian species through SSN:
Earthtrust was a founding member of Species Survival Network, the international organization that brings together many of the world's pro-wildlife organizations to chart strategy through CITES. ET representative Linda Paul serves on the SSN international Board of Directors. In addition to continuing to push for strong protections for Asian and Pacific wildlife, Earthtrust is promoting the wider use of its DNA forensic tools to track wildlife smuggling: the basic techniques work with almost any tissue of almost any animal. The forces against wildlife are growing in strength; and sophisticated tools and strategies are one of the best hopes of keeping them at bay.
The Endangered Wildlife Initiatives are crucially dependent on contributions for its programs each year - your support is welcomed.
[Penghu
Photo 1: 66K GIF]
[Penghu Photo
2: 66K GIF]
[Penghu Photo
3: 66K GIF]
[Penghu Photo
4: 50K GIF]
[Penghu Photo
5: 66K GIF]![[66K GIF picture of Keith in field]](gif/keithph.gif){kind=link}