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.