AHEAD Update – July 2008

Dear AHEAD Colleagues:

*I should again note that if you wish to be removed from this e-mail list please just let me know. My hope is to keep parties interested in Animal Health for the Environment And Development up-to-date on developments post-Durban World Parks Congress over time, but I certainly understand if anyone wants to opt out of receiving such messages. Updates are also posted (and archived) on the AHEAD website at www.wcs-ahead.org. Please note that URL hotlinks for many of the organizations mentioned below can be found at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/links.html. News on potential funding opportunities appears towards the end of this Update.

If you would like to post an item in the next AHEAD Update, please just send it to me- thanks! And please let me know how the new format looks on your computer, or if you prefer the more basic AHEAD Update format.

RECENT FORA OF INTEREST

*Minutes for the Eighth Meeting of the AHEAD-GLTFCA Working Group– March 5–7, 2008, Ingwenyama Conference and Sport Resort, White River, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa are now posted in downloadable PDF at 
http://www.wcs-ahead.org/workinggrps_limpopo.html,
and are being circulated to the Working Group. PDFs of most of the Powerpoint presentations from the diverse agenda are also now available online via the Great Limpopo Working Group's homepage
(http://www.wcs-ahead.org/workinggrps_limpopo.html),
by clicking on the "Agenda of the Eighth Meeting of the AHEAD-GLTFCA Working Group" link (http://www.wcs-ahead.org/gltfca_march2008/agenda_march2008.html).  
Also note that the site now has a Photo Gallery from the 8th WG meeting (also accessible via the Working Group's homepage at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/workinggrps_limpopo.html 
or directly at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/gltfca_2008gallery/gallery_march2008.html),
as well as a page with all of the AHEAD Great Limpopo TFCA Working Group institutional Letters of Understanding (LoUs) received to date- the first time we have been able to post these on the website- via the Working Group's homepage or directly at http://www.wcs-ahead.org/gltfca_lou/letters.html. The diverse cross-sectoral challenges of ensuring a successful reconnection of protected areas across other land-use types and international borders are more obvious than ever, and discussions among the record more than 70 attendees (sometimes heated, always cordial!) focused on such issues as foot and mouth disease control, community-based animal health and natural resources management, disease surveillance and data-sharing, HIV/AIDS and zoonotic diseases, governance, resettlement, poverty alleviation, food security, gender roles, scenarios-based planning, and fencing- just to name a few hot topics! One of the unique things that has come to characterize AHEAD Great Limpopo Working Group fora is the unusual (and refreshing) mix of senior government officials from the agriculture, conservation, and public health sectors along with managers, researchers, and a diverse array of young graduate students and NGO employees grappling with specific issues in the places where they work in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe (and beyond).

*Proceedings available from April 2008 Steps Centre forum, "Transboundary animal disease and market access: future options for the beef industry in southern Africa." How can Africa benefit from the global ‘livestock revolution’? What options exist for trade given changes in market demand, entry requirements and trade preferences? What veterinary and food safety standards are required for different trade options? What does this imply for disease control and management of transboundary diseases such as foot and mouth? Who are the winners and losers of different scenarios for the future? These are just some of the questions that policymakers in southern Africa – and beyond – are dealing with. Do the new conditions of trade and market access and disease dynamics, particularly of foot and mouth disease, suggest new options must be sought for the beef industry? More details on the project, together with the full workshop report, other briefing papers, workshop powerpoint presentations, and multi-media coverage are available at http://www.steps-centre.org/ourresearch/vetscience.html.
For additional information, please contact Ian Scoones I.Scoones@ids.ac.uk.

NEW PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES

* A collaboration study on Options for Pastoralists to Secure their Livelihoods in Tanzania (PDF link) has now been completed. The case studies present options for pastoralist livelihoods in terms of current state policies, legal status and economic prospects covering the following topics (all are PDF links):

– Current Policy Making in Tanzania - by Professor Amon Mattee, Sokoine University of Agriculture

– Pastoralism and Policy Processes in Tanzania: The Case of Mbarali - by Dr. Martin Walsh, Cambridge University

– Experiences in the defence of pastoralist rights: Current legal issues and statutory reforms - by Dr. Ringo Tenga, University of Dar es Salaam

– Experiences in the defence of pastoralist rights: Lessons and prospects - by Dr Sengendo Mvungi, University of Dar es Salaam

– Assessing the total economic value of pastoralism in Tanzania: The Case of the Usangu - by Professor Ntengua Mdoe and Mr Raymond Mnenwa, Sokoine University of Agriculture

The analysis consists of a main report and extended versions of the five studies. This work was commissioned by CORDS, PWC, IIED, MMM Ngaramtoni Centre, TNRF and UCRT. It has been funded by CORDAID, TROCAIRE, Ireland Aid and the WCS AHEAD Program. Views expressed in the studies are solely those of the authors.

*New bovine tuberculosis paper of comparative interest- Rodwell TC, Moore M, Moser KS, Brodine SK, Strathdee SA. Mycobacterium bovis tuberculosis in binational communities. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet] 2008 June. Available from
http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/14/6/909.htm
Abstract: "The epidemiology of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States is changing as the incidence of disease becomes more concentrated in foreign-born persons. Mycobacterium bovis appears to be contributing substantially to the TB incidence in some binational communities with ties to Mexico.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of TB case surveillance data from the San Diego, California, region from 1994 through 2005 to estimate incidence trends, identify correlates of M. bovis disease, and evaluate risk factors for deaths during treatment. M. bovis accounted for 45% (62/138) of all culture-positive TB cases in children (<15 years of age) and 6% (203/3,153) of adult cases. M. bovis incidence increased significantly (p = 0.002) while M. tuberculosis incidence declined (p<0.001). Almost all M. bovis cases from 2001 through 2005 were in persons of Hispanic ethnicity. Persons with M. bovis were 2.55°— (p = 0.01) as likely to die during treatment than those with M. tuberculosis."

* New COMACO (Community Markets for Conservation) e-News subscription available (free!)- http://www.itswild.org/newsletter/subscribe. The Wildlife Conservation Society has made a long-term commitment to understanding the challenges of reconciling human needs and addressing conflicts around protected areas in Zambia's Luangwa Valley.  In just over five years and with support from the World Food Program, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and other partners, COMACO has demonstrated the important linkages between improved levels of food security and income for over 40,000 families, and the voluntary reduction in illegal hunting and snaring of wildlife.  WCS believes COMACO represents an important contribution to future strategies for conserving wildlife and wild places in many parts of Africa and has created a specific website, http://www.itswild.org, to share information about this program and its operations. COMACO and AHEAD are currently collaborating, for example, with the International Rural Poultry Center (IRPC) of the KYEEMA Foundation and Cornell University to improve village poultry health to contribute to food security while simultaneously diminishing demand for illegal game meat.

*The publisher of the classic Where There is No Doctor has just published A Community Guide to Environmental Health, and the entire book or individual chapters can be downloaded at:
http://www.hesperian.org/
publications_download_EHB.php.
One reviewer of the book stated that A Community Guide to Environmental Health will restore hope in communities that they can play active roles in preserving environmental health and by so doing, stay healthy. With this excellent guide, communities can now learn how to protect themselves and also know what projects to resist."

*Africa: Atlas of Our Changing Environment is now available - This stunning 390-page Africa: Atlas of our Changing Environment is a unique and powerful publication which brings to light stories of environmental change at 104 locations spread across every country in Africa. There are 316 satellite images, 319 ground photographs and 151 maps, along with informative graphs and charts that give a vivid visual portrayal of Africa and its changing environment. Using current and historical satellite images, the Atlas provides scientific evidence of the impact that natural and human activities have had on the continent’s environment over the past several decades. The observations and measurements of environmental change illustrated in this Atlas help gauge the extent of progress made by African countries towards reaching the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals. More importantly, this book contributes to the knowledge and understanding that are essential for adaptation and remediation. This UNEP publication was produced in cooperation with a number of organizations in Africa and the United States and released at the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) meeting in Johannesburg on 10 June 2008. The Atlas is available in both English and French.  For more information and free download go to: http://www.na.unep.net/AfricaAtlas/.

*New journal seeks submissions- Transboundary and Emerging Diseases brings together the latest research on infectious animal diseases considered to represent the greatest threats to animals worldwide. The journal provides a venue for global research on diagnosis, prevention and management, and for papers on veterinary public health, pathogenesis, epidemiology, statistical modeling, diagnostics, biosecurity issues, genomics, vaccine development and rapid communication of new outbreaks. This international journal will be of vital interest to scientists and practitioners working in the field of infectious diseases, including veterinarians, animal scientists, agricultural scientists, policy makers, wildlife workers, the public health community, and conservationists. For more information and online submission options, please see:
http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?
ref=1865-1674&site=1.

SELECTED UPCOMING MEETINGS, COURSES

*Southern African Wildlife College offers "Introduction to GIS- Applications for Wildlife Management." August 25-31: Introduction to GIS, processes and techniques for presentation, cartography and mapping, GIS/GPS capturing and remote sensing data, GIS as a conservation application. Course participants must be fully computer literate and familiar with the Microsoft Operating Systems and Office Suite. For more details (and information on other courses), see 
http://www.wildlifecollege.org.za/short_courses.html,
or contact Terry Harnwell tharnwell@sawc.org.za.

*International EcoHealth Forum 2008: 2nd Biennial Conference of the International Association for Ecology & Health, December 2008- AHEAD collaborating institutions / individuals are encouraged to participate- see
http://www.insp.mx/ecohealth2008/index.php

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Funding: CGIAR presents African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) Fellowships - Round One Fellowship Announcement

AWARD Fellowship Announcement (round one)- Available to women agricultural scientists from: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

The CGIAR Gender & Diversity Program warmly invites applications from qualified African agricultural women scientists for this innovative and exciting fellowship program.The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) program offers specially tailored 2-year career development fellowships, available at three levels: post-Bachelors, post- Masters and post-PhD.

African women from qualifying countries and conducting research in the following disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply: crop sciences (including horticulture), soil sciences, animal and livestock sciences, plant and animal virology, agroforestry, agricultural economics, aquatic resources and fisheries, food sciences and nutrition, natural resource management and ecology, biodiversity conservation, entomology, agricultural extension education, molecular biology (applied to plant/animal breeding), and water and irrigation management.

The deadline for all applications: 18 July 2008.
Details and application forms can be downloaded from
http://www.genderdiversity.cgiar.org/resource/award.asp.
Alternatively, you may write to AWARDFellows@cgiar.org to request a copy of the application forms.
For each of the 60 African women scientists selected in this first round (20 at each level), AWARD offers a challenging but rewarding package aimed at increasing her contributions in the service of fighting hunger and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Please help spread word of this opportunity to all the qualified African women in agricultural research you know. All queries should be sent to: AWARDFellows@cgiar.org

Funding: Darwin Initiative Call for Applications - Stage 1 applications invited

The Darwin Initiative offers funds to encourage the sharing of UK biodiversity expertise with local partners in countries with a wealth of biodiversity, but who lack the means to protect these resources and to assist in meeting their CBD commitments. Since its launch in 1992, the Darwin Initiative has committed more than £65 million in funding for 490 main projects and post projects. In addition, 19 Darwin Fellowships have been awarded and over 100 small grants have allowed UK applicants to travel to meet and develop applications in collaboration with host country partners.

The deadline for Stage 1 applications: 15 August 2008.

Having focused on supporting projects to achieve their CBD commitments, the Darwin Initiative is now being extended to include the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS or the Bonn Convention). There will also be a shift of focus to encourage projects to adopt an ecosystem-based approach to conservation (where relevant and applicable) and, in addition, the Darwin Initiative will also be particularly welcoming projects relating to the UK's Overseas Territories. Defra is now inviting applications from UK institutions for support for main projects and post projects to commence from April 2009. Please note that the process for full project applications will be carried out in two stages. Only those applicants successful at Stage 1 will be asked to continue to Stage 2. Please ensure that you read the guidance carefully and complete the forms accordingly - word counts and provision of supporting documentation will be strictly enforced. 
For more details, see 
http://darwin.defra.gov.uk/news/2008-06/round16-call/.
phone (Helen Beech): +44 (0)131 440 5180
Darwin-applications@ltsi.co.uk

If you have items for the next AHEAD Update, please just let me know – thanks.

All the best,

Steve

Steve Osofsky, DVM
Wildlife Conservation Society –
Field Veterinary Program
Senior Policy Advisor, Wildlife Health
WCS AHEAD Coordinator
sosofsky@wcs.org
ph/fax: 1-703-716-1029
www.wcs-ahead.org

Please see the News Archives page for previous AHEAD updates.