Welcome back to the 2020-21 season, in our new socially-distanced format. This lecture will take place via Zoom. A link will be sent prior to the talk for all who register. We will also endeavour to host a Facebook livestream via our Facebook page.  ***KINDLY NOTE UPDATED DATE! Tuesday, September 22.   About the Lecture: Glenn will discuss the Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC), a collaboration between the Pandrillus Foundation (NGO) and the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) since 1994. With conservation and education being the priorities of the collaboration, the ultimate goal of the project is to release healthy animals into protected areas within the forest zone of southern Cameroon. About the Limbe Wildlife Centre: When Pandrillus Co-founders Peter Jenkins and Liza Gadsby were working on a Drill field survey in remote areas in the countryside of Cameroon, in West Africa, they found high numbers of primates being kept under horrible conditions by private owners along the roadsides. The number of rescued animals increased fast, and the Old Victoria Zoo in Limbe, a small beach town in Southwest Cameroon, was chosen as a suitable place for a sanctuary and became the Limbe Wildlife Center (LRC).  Since 1994, former zoo animals being kept under poor conditions, as well as rescued animals (mainly from the illegal wildlife trade), also live in the LRC. About the Speaker: Glenn John Ewole Motumba started volunteering at the Limbe Wildlife Centre at fifteen as an after-school activity. He received onsite trainings with the education department of the Limbe Wildlife Center, which involved providing guided tours to visitors and school groups. During his volunteer years, his passion for primates made him focus more on the behavior and ecology of the endangered Drill monkeys (Mandrillus leucophaeus), and he became employed in the wild life center. He participated in the study of Drill behavior in captivity conducted by the Forest Research Institute of Cameroon. His experience in the behavior of Drill Monkeys in captivity and identification have been recognized by Rettet den Drill. E.V, an NGO that raises funds for survival research and sanctuaries that care for Drill monkeys in Africa.  After 16 years of experience in LWC, he moved to Emirates Park Zoo in Abu Dhabi in 2016, where he became the Lead Keeper of the Primates and Small Mammals section. His role is to develop the husbandry of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) and other primates in Emirates Park Zoo. Currently he is enrolled in a Diploma in management of Zoo and Aquarium Animals (DMZAA).  Meanwhile, the zoo has recorded successful breeding of different primates, among them endangered mandrills. The protection of native species and nature education in Cameroon remain important to Glenn.

Welcome back ENHGers! We hope everyone is safe and well. We have a rare treat for you! Dr Athol Yates, one of our most popular speakers has generously offered to give an interactive virtual talk. If you've had the pleasure of attending one of his previous lectures you will know that he encourages audience participation, so don't miss this opportunity. The event is open to all and free.  DATE & TIME: Tuesday June 30th, 7:00pm  To join the meeting follow this link or key in the below to your Zoom application Meeting ID: 911 4397 5997 Password: 831221 ABOUT THE TALK: Athol Yates will talk about his latest Tribulus article which describes the little-known, large scale 1943–1944 anti-locust campaign in the Arabian Peninsula, with a focus on activities in the Trucial States. It concludes with a summary of British military involvement in Trucial State antilocust operations in subsequent years, with the last recorded instance being in 1962. ABOUT THE SPEAKER: Dr Athol Yates teaches at the Institute for International and Civil Security, Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, which offers a Masters Degree for Emirati security professionals. He teaches civil security, covering professional security practice, internal security and disaster management. His current research is on the security services of the UAE and former Trucial States.

Please join us on February 11 for our next lecture, which is kindly hosted by Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas.  About the talk: Genetic diversity is crucial for animals to adapt to a changing environment. However, not all genetic diversity is important. In order to identify the specific genetic variants that are necessary for animals to adapt and to survive, it is important to focus on genes that are associated with ecologically important traits. This presentation will focus on bottlenose dolphins off Western Australia, where Dr. Manlik and his colleagues identified genetic variants that appear to be crucial for fitness. For example, offspring produced by mothers who possessed certain genetic variants had a much greater chance of survival,  and those variants also appeared to be more common in stable populations. This discovery could offer a more reliable indicator for fitness and population viability of dolphins and possibly other vertebrates.   About the Speaker: Dr. Oliver Manlik is an Assistant Professor of molecular ecology in the Biology Department at UAEU. His primary research interest is in evolutionary ecology, population and conservation genetics. He also has a keen interest in the ecological and evolutionary forces that maintain or erode biodiversity. Current research projects include population genomic studies on local wildlife populations, including Socotra cormorants. Other research in Dr. Manlik's lab centers on population modeling and forecasting. Dr. Manlik obtained his PhD from the University of New South Wales in Australia in 2016. He was a cofounder and past president of the Sydney Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) and is currently associate editor of the journal Ecology and Evolution, and also holds an adjunct appointment as Conjoint Associate Lecturer at the University of New South Wales (http://www.bees.unsw.edu.au/oliver-manlik). Photo: Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) mother and calf in Shark Bay, Western Australia. Photo credit: Madison Miketa  

Experience the Al Wathba Wetlands reserve with the ENHG and learn about the area's flora and fauna.   Starting at 2 pm at the Visitor's Centre, Dr. Thomas Steuber will present a short history of the geology and geomorphology of the reserve, followed by a presentation of the area's flora and fauna. Salem Al Menhali and Mustafa Hamid Eltoum from the EAD-Al Wathba team will demonstrate traditional uses of plants in the area.    During a 6 km walk through the reserve, experienced ornithologist Oscar Campbell will help to find and identify resident and migratory bird species. On our way back we will try to observe from a non-disturbing distance Western Marsh Harries (latest count was 50+ ) arriving for communal night-time roosting. Please bring headlights if available, as we will try to find nocturnal spiders hunting below the shrubs. Most of them have reflective eyes that shine like little diamonds when they come in contact with light.   We will be back at the visitor center at around 7.15 pm.   Special Instructions: Keep your mobiles on silent! We recommend wearing brown, beige or green clothes with long sleeves and trousers, sports shoes and a hat. Try to avoid bright colours. Bring binoculars, insect repellent, sun protection, snacks and water.    Please be prepared for possibly dusty or windy winter weather; as long as the weather conditions allow driving, the tour will not be cancelled and we will adjust the programme if necessary.  

In this talk, generously hosted by Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Dr. Jonathan H. Shannon will discuss lives of displaced Syrian musicians in Turkey, Italy, Germany, Holland, and Sweden, with a special focus on the role of music plays in their lives, and how displacement has led to changes in the music. He especially highlights the creative agency of displaced Syrians to counter common images of trauma, victimhood, and dependency.   Kindly note: the talk will be OUTSIDE in the Olive Garden venue, so please dress for the weather! As always, the lecture will start at 7:30, with doors opening at 7:00. About the Speaker Jonathan H. Shannon is Visiting Professor of Anthropology and Program Head for Arab Crossroads Studies, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Professor of Anthropology, Hunter College and the Graduate Center, The City University of New York. He earned his B.A. in English Literature from Stanford University and the Ph.D. in Anthropology from the CUNY Graduate Center. His research and writing focus on aesthetics and music performance in the Mediterranean and Arab world, with a special focus on Syria, Morocco, Spain, and Turkey. He is the author of numerous articles, two scholarly monographs (Among the Jasmine Trees: Music and Modernity in Contemporary Syria, 2006; Performing al-Andalus: Music and Nostalgia across the Mediterranean, 2015), and a novel (A Wintry Day in Damascus: Syrian Stories, 2012). Shannon is the recipient of many awards and fellowships, including from Fulbright and Guggenheim. He is currently working on two projects: a book on Syrian migrant musicians from Syria to Scandinavia, and a collection of essays on itineraries of sounds, spices, and poetry around the Mediterranean. In addition, he performs on the oud (Arabian lute) and saxophone, and is an enthusiastic novice cellist.

This talk is generously hosted by Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas. Membership sign up available from 7pm, lecture begins at 7:30pm in Emerald A meeting room  All ENHG lectures are free and open to the public.   About the talk:   Nature is a rich source of knowledge, and present-day human life has undoubtedly progressed because of our ability to be inspired by nature and to then innovate solutions to our problems through biomimicry. Biological systems have been in development for billions of years; solutions for many different classes of problems have been provided through optimization of nature’s designs, development of materials and processes, and adaptation to changing conditions on Earth. This talk will show how bio-inspiration is leading the transition from industrial robots, caged in inaccessible spaces within factories, to collaborative robots--machines that are designed to interact with natural and unstructured environments on the sea, land, and sky. Historical evidence of bio-inspiration will be presented, along with several examples of modern applications and future, potentially disruptive, innovations. A particular emphasis will be given to the mysterious and largely unexplored subsea world.    About the speaker:   Dr. Federico Renda received his BSc and MSc degrees in Biomedical Engineering in 2007 and 2009, respectively, from the University of Pisa. He completed his PhD in Robotics in 2014 from Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, and joined the IRCCyN Lab at the Ecole des Mines de Nantes in 2013 as visiting PhD student.  Before joining Khalifa University, he had been appointed as Post-Doctoral Fellow at the BioRobotics Institute of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, where he developed geometrically exact models of beam-like and shell-like underwater soft robots. Since 2015, he has been a Post-Doctoral Fellow with the Khalifa University Robotics Institute (KURI) at Khalifa University, where he presently serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 2018, Dr. Renda joined the LS2N lab at IMT Atlantique, while in 2019, he joined the Defrost Team at INRIA Lille as Visiting Professor.  His research interests include dynamic modeling and control of soft and underwater robots using principles of geometric mechanics. Dr. Renda is also a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).   

Dr. Syed Salman Ashraf, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (College of Arts and Sciences) at Khalifa University, will discuss his research into ‘bioremediation,’ or using microorganisms to provide environmentally safe, inexpensive ways to clean up industrial pollution. Dr. Salman has isolated novel bacterial strains from UAE petroleum sludge that have been able to break down various ‘emerging pollutants’ that result from the intensification of agriculture and manufacturing. Dr. Salman will also discuss how the presence of these pollutants in our water supplies affects aquatic organisms as well as humans.   About the speaker: Dr. Salman got his BS in Biochemistry from Iowa State University in 1988 and then an MS from the same university in 1991, and finally a doctorate from North Carolina State University in 1999. He has worked in biotech companies in North America for over 6 years and has over 15 years of experience in academia as faculty member. Prior to joining Khalifa University, he was a Professor of Biochemistry at UAE University. His current research interests are in the areas of environmental remediation, applied biotechnology, and protein structure and function. He has strong research interests in exploiting novel bacterial isolates as well as peroxidase enzymes for environmental remediation. Professor Ashraf has over 80 publications and holds 4 US patents.     Membership sign up from 7pm, Talk begins at 7:30pm. Talk is free and open to all, please register your attendance. This talk is generously hosted by Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas

The Abu Dhabi chapter of the ENHG are excited to offer you and your family a fabulous opportunity to come and learn whilst exploring a typical Wadi of the region. Come and find "Wadi it's all About"!  This trip will include an overnight stay in a beautiful and remote hostel with close access to several wadis and experienced guides who will teach you and your families about the flora, fauna, geology and eco system of the area. Cost: 550 aed per adult/ 300 aed per child (age 5 to 12) and free for children under 5 sharing existing beds.  All prices inc VAT.   Meeting Point Location and Time:   A Pin will be provided for your accommodation which is just over 2 hours from the centre of Abu Dhabi.  You will be met there at 2pm by your tour guide. Accommodation:   Your accommodation is located between the High Mountains of Wilayath Mahdah. This beautiful tourist resort is the only site in Sultanate of Oman where you can find the Golden Sand Dunes, Palm Oasis, Snake Canyon, Valleys & Water Springs all in one place.  Rooms are available on a twin, double or family basis. A single supplement of 150dhs can also be offered.    Guided Walk:   Our experienced walking guides can take your group on 2 gentle walks suitable for adults and children through the nearby stunning wadi. During your walk we will look for examples of the geology, eco-system, flora and fauna of a typical wadi with time to appreciate and take photographs of its beauty.  Water and snacks provided. Timing of walks: Day 1: 3:30pm-6:00pm                             Day 2: 8:00am-10:00am   Meals:   Included are: Day 1: Dinner Day 2: Breakfast    Tour and Walking Guide:           Our Tour and Walking Guide will meet your group at the pin provided and will work with your speaker and representatives from ENHG to ensure the smooth running of your field trip, including the Guided Walk.       Kit Required:   A list of kit to be brought by your guests will be sent in advance of your event but will likely include; clothes and shoes comfortable for walking in, sun protection, swimming costume, any personal medication, passport and EID.    Documents Required:       Border Crossing:     A waiver document should be signed by all guests and a short health and dietary questionnaire is also required from each guest.       Guests need to carry their original passport with minimum 3 months validity.   If your vehicle is a rented one, don’t forget to get an NOC from the rental car company to cross the border.    If your vehicle doesn’t have Oman insurance, you can get it from the check post.   For Resident & Tourist - UAE & Oman visa fee total amount of AED 85.00 per person (AED 35.00 - UAE Exit fee & AED 50.00)     Invoice and Payment Terms:   Payment required upon booking please to secure your accommodation.  

Join us for a family friendly field trip to Emirates Biofarm to learn about organic farming in the UAE !  When : FRIDAY 08 NOVEMBER 2019. Leave Abu Dhabi @ 07:00 TO  REACH THE FARM BY 09:00 AM. Carpooling options possible.  Meeting point either at the farm or in the city, please state your preference to the field trip coordinator after signing up.  Where : EMIRATES BIOFARM 24°41'03.3"N 55°44'32. - 8th St - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates 155 km from Mussafah Abu Dhabi to the Emiartes Biofarm appoximately 1 hour and 35 mins ride.  Family friendly trip ! Kids welcome,  FREE ENTRY FOR CHILDREN UNDER 6. ENTRY IS 35 AED PER PERSON, The experience includes a one hour guided journey into the fields and greenhouses where guests will learn about organic farming and have a chance to harvest vegetables (also involves a tractor ride that the children will love!) What to bring with you: Sun Screen Snacks and water  Note:  Farm opens at 0900 hours. We plan to arrive at least an hour before, as farm tours are  first come first serve Each individual is responsible to buy his/her pass : Fees are  35 AED per individual,  Kids under 6  free.   Trip is open  renewed/ signed up members of the ENHG. Those who are not members could sign up for membership on the day of the event by filling up the form with the field trip coordinator Manjula Ramakrishnan and paying the membership fees ( 100Dhs/yr per individual or 150Dhs/yr per family) For any questions, please contact : Manjula- 055 330 7639  

Membership sign up from 7pm, Talk begins at 7:30pm  Talk is free and open to all, please register your attendance  This talk is generously hosted by Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas About the talk:  The lecture will present the history of establishing DDCR as a premium sustainable tourist destination while at the same time conserving a representation of the Dubai’s Inland Desert original landscapes and indigenous fauna and flora, through careful and effective management that promotes natural processes for optimum conservation outcomes leading to rewilding of the desert habitat. The reserve has succeeded in providing an authentic desert experience for people which demonstrates the beauty and marvel of the natural environment and educates on the intricacies of nature and the living heritage of Dubai. About the speaker: Tamer Khafaga is a senior ecologist with more than 21 years of experience in ecology, habitat management and restoration as well as sustainable development. His MSc from (Reading University – UK) focused on taxonomy and biodiversity with a thesis entitled "Impact of grazing on floral diversity in high altitude mountains in St. Katherine Protectorate, South Sinai - Egypt". Tamer’s work in the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency as an Environmental researcher in the St. Katherine Protectorate (May 1998 till August 2006) complemented his interest and skills in the understanding of biodiversity conservation, habitats restoration and protected area management. Currently, Tamer is a conservation research manager who focuses on conservation and protected area research planning at the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. Tamer is in the process of completing his PhD (Faculty of Science, Malaga University – Spain) with his research focusing on plant functional diversity responses to grazing in an Arabian hyper-arid protected inland desert ecosystem.  Tamer is also the Regional Chair for West Asia commission of Ecosystem Management; one of six commissions under the umbrella of the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature.  

MEETING POINT FOR TOMORROW. Please call me 0566501620 if there are any delays   Dropped pin Near E1 - Abu Dhabi https://goo.gl/maps/cqCpWJWEpv5DZJDN8 When : Saturday October 19, 2019. Leave Abu Dhabi @ 0615 to reach the park by 0745. Where : Mazmar Park, Dubai and Al Wasit Wetland, Sharjah  Family friendly trip ! Kids welcome, but there is a bit of walking so the trip is best suited to children aged 8 and above. Trip open only to ENHG Abu Dhabi 2019-2020 members only. Those who are not members could sign up for Membership on the day of the event by filling up the form with the field trip coordinator Desmond Lobo and paying the membership fees ( 100Dhs/yr per individual or 150Dhs/yr per family) Stop 1: 7:45 am to 10:30 am Mamzar Park (Dubai): Best for bird watching during migration and winter Al Mamzar Park is one of the main migration hotspots in the Dubai area. It is under-watched, and has turned up rarities on a regular basis. It is now considered to be the best birding site in Dubai, with Safa Park reduced in size construction and the Dubai Pivot Fields gone. Birds we expect to see : 176 species (excluding escapees) have been recorded in the park and on the nearby scrubland as of December 2018. Regular migrants in April & May are White-throated Robin and Semicollared Flycatcher, with Masked Shrike on migration and during winter. Socotra Cormorant sometimes seen offshore, but since Great Cormorant is present during autumn, winter and spring, care must be taken in separating the two. Thrush Nightingale, Olive-backed Pipit and Eastern Cinereous Bunting have been recorded on several occasions. Rarities have included Asian Koel, White-throated Kingfisher, Ashy Drongo, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Green Warbler, Icterine Warbler and Mistle Thrush. Note: Park opens at 0800 hours. We plant to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to avoid any queue. Each individual is responsible to buy his/her pass : Fees are AED 5 per individual or AED 30 per car. Kids under 2 free.   Stop 2: Wasit Nature Reserve Ramsar Site : Known as the green lung of the city, this centrally located reserve is home to an exceptional wetlands centre that is run by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority of Sharjah and the site is designated as a wetland of international importance (Ramsar Site). It is very popular with bird-watchers. With a diverse ecosystem of coastal sand dunes, salt flats, ponds and a large lake, Wasit Nature Reserve is home to more than 200 bird species. It also attracts species of small mammal, reptile and insect, some of which were discovered for the first time in the UAE. Bird-lovers should make a beeline for the Wasit Wetland Centre. There are eight hides with binoculars and information boards, while families can take a tour of the wetlands by golf buggy. Notes: Entrance fees AED 15 per person, free for children under 12 years. Park opens at 1100 on Saturday. So we plan to be there at least half an hour prior. Special Notes:  Dress appropriately. Wear breathable, loose clothes and sturdy boots you’d wear for long treks through forests or fields. Wear waterproof boots, so you’ll be prepared if you encounter puddles or mud. Wear dark, neutral colors, like brown and gray, so you don’t frighten birds away. Bright or white colors enhance movement around them. Be quiet. Loud talking or laughing can cause birds to flee before you even get close. Put your phone on silent, and speak softly or use hand signals and gestures to communicate with a group.  A whisper can often communicate the same thing. Avoid flash and camera noises.Use your field guide. You might want to use Birds of the MiddleEast  by Richard Porter. Your field guide is going to be increasingly important as you fine tune your birding skills and encounter similar looking birds. Compare markings and colors of birds with your guide. Learn about bird songs and calls as well. Other things to consider include: The shape and size of the bird, including whether it’s big, small, round or oval. What the bird is doing. Is it searching for insects, circling overhead or soaring? Places where field markings are normally, like wing bars or the tail feathers. What to bring with you: Binoculars if you have them Bird ID guides if you have them (checkout the ENHG bookstall on the webpage) Snacks and water  Cameras  For any questions, please contact : Desmond-0566501620 Please sign up on the ENHG-AD events page specifying the number of people in your party 

This talk is generously hosted by Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas. Membership sign up available from 7pm, lecture begins at 7:30pm in Emerald A meeting room  All ENHG lectures are free and open to the public. About the talk: The dugong has a large range that spans some 46 countries and territories across the Indo-Pacific region, with one of the most significant populations found in the waters off Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The dugong is however listed as a species vulnerable to extinction at a global scale by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). As an original signatory to the only global dugong conservation effort, and host to the CMS Dugong MoU office since 2009, the UAE provides crucial support to monitoring, protecting and conserving dugong populations across the globe. The conservation of dugongs is complicated, challenged by ecological, physiological, socio-political and cultural factors spanning a vast geographical area of predominately low-income countries. To address these challenges, the CMS Dugong MoU are developing and implementing a series of innovative projects across the dugong range states, focusing on building long-term, local capacity and partnerships with communities to protect dugong and seagrass habitat. Though dugong research in the region started in 1980s, a systematic long-term research program was launched by EAD (formerly ERWDA), Abu Dhabi during the year 1999-2000. Since then, survey, monitoring and conservation actions under this program have resulted in declaration of marine protected areas, revising fishing regulations and maintaining a stable and healthy population of dugongs in Abu Dhabi waters. The presentation intends to cover findings of dugong research program in the UAE, challenges that dugongs face and response to dugongs conservation needs   About the speakers:   Dr. Donna Kwan is the Programme Manager responsible for the implementation of the Dugong MoU of the Convention on Migratory Species. She holds a PhD in dugong reproductive biology and has spent all of her professional career working in research, conservation and management of dugongs. Her specific areas of expertise include population biology, collaborative research, conservation and management with local communities as well as policy development and implementation at local, national and international levels.   Dr. Himansu Sekhar Das is the Unit Head, Marine Threatened Species and Habitat at EAD, Abu Dhabi. He has been managing dugong, sea turtle and dolphin research program at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi for over a decade. His team at EAD is involved in assessment of critical coastal and marine habitats too. Dr. Das was awarded with UNESCO-MAB Young Scientists Award for his work in developing conservation and management Plan for seagrass habitats of Andaman and Nicobar Group of islands. Currently, he is an active member of the IUCN-Marine Turtle Specialists Group and Regional Chair of IUCN-Sirenian Specialist Group of Indian Ocean Region.       Photo credit: Sam Lawrence/ Ocean Collective Media  

Join us as we visit Al Sadeem Observatory, the UAE's first private observatory and the home of astronomy in Abu Dhabi. Set up by Thabet Al Qaissieh and Alejandro “Andy” Palado in 2016, the observatory boasts a 5.5-metre dome and a Meade LX850 16 inch telescope. After a lecture on the basics of astronomy, we will have a telescope workshop, a quick tour of the facility, and then will feast our eyes on the moon, which will be in its full phase.  Cost is AED 200 for entry for adults, AED 50 for 11-17 years old, and free for kids under 11.  ENHG Field trips are open to paid-up members. You can renew your membership at any of our events or on the day of the field trip. Membership is 100 Dhs per year per individual or 150Dhs for a family.     

Special ENHG Lecture October 8th, 2019: Madagascar pochards and ploughshare tortoises – Protecting the rarest of the rare in Madagascar A talk on conservation projects in Madagascar supported by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund Speaker: Dr. H. Glyn Young,  Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (Jersey Zoo) Date: Tuesday, 8th October Time: 7.00 pm – 9.00 pm Membership sign up from 7pm, talk begins at 7:30pm Location: UAE Foreign Correspondents Club, Building 6, twofour54(Park Rotana Hotel Complex), Eastern Ring Road, Abu Dhabi (near Khalifa Park) Meeting co-sponsored by Emirates Natural History Group, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, EAD, with the support of the Foreign Correspondents Club of the UAE. About the Speaker: Dr. H. Glyn Young grew up in Hampshire, England and has worked for the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust at Jersey Zoo since 1983. Now Head of the Birds Department at Durrell, he has worked on and has led conservation projects with the some of the rarest species on Earth in Mauritius, Madagascar, Galápagos and the Caribbean. He has also worked extensively on bird conservation projects in Jersey. He has a Master’s degree and a PhD on the ecology of Madagascar’s endangered ducks and is Assistant Co-ordinator of the IUCN Threatened Waterfowl Specialist Group. The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund has supported research on a number of projects in Madagascar, including work on the Madagascar Pochard and the Ploughshare Tortoise. About the talk: Madagascar is renowned for both its remarkable degree of plant and animal endemism and the extreme threats facing the wildlife, habitats and people of this island country. I will look at possibly two of the rarest and most threatened species and Durrell’s long term projects to ensure their continued survival. Both the Madagascar pochard and the ploughshare tortoise have long histories of puzzling us and their conservation strategies have never been straight forward. We are indebted to many partners and collaborators in these projects including the Mohammed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. I will talk about the challenges we have faced along the road and give hope for the future.

Date : Tuesday October 1st, 2019 Venue : Emerald B Meeting Room, Saadiyat Rotana Hotel  Lecture starts at 7:30, Membership sign up available from 7pm  About the Speaker: Steve Lockett Education and Outreach Officer, Mahseer Trust Steve has been involved with Mahseer Trust, a UK-based conservation NGO, since 2011. Previously, he held the roles of Press Officer and then Vice-Chair (acting Chair from 2015 -17). He has been working on issues of river and fish conservation in south and southeast Asian countries for 20 years, and in a voluntary capacity in the UK for 20 years prior to that. Since standing down as a trustee of Mahseer Trust, to spend more time in mahseer range countries, Steve has used his background in journalism and teaching to drive outreach about river conservation awareness, and better community conservation incentives, including overseeing projects as a consultant for Bournemouth University’s Global Environmental Solutions department. His time studying mahseer, river habitats and human use has included projects in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Nepal. Steve is the architect of the holistic Kaveri Mission programme for India’s River Cauvery, a wide-ranging project supported by Tata Power, involving scientific study, outreach and local cultural heritage elements. This project aims to conserve the Critically Endangered hump-backed mahseer, Tor remadevii, as an umbrella species to promote better overall river ecosystem health and associated water availability. About the talk: Steve Lockett discusses his work on freshwater biodiversity and wider river conservation with special reference to the rivers and fish of southeast Asia. Encompassing human needs and why protection of critical habitat works for all inhabitants, Steve will also consider how and why connections between all those interested in freshwater habitat is a vital component in the battle to protect water sources.