Cambodia Conservation Project

Wild4Ever, in cooperation with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has begun an exciting conservation initiative that has begun with the conservation of one of the world’s rarest waterfowl, the white wing wood duck. The duck, with less than 1000 left alive, has been found to survive in the forested wetlands of northern Cambodia. Wild4Ever has funded a group that has found WWWD’s in the area and even discovered nest sites, something never before reported in Cambodia. Wild4Ever has funded the protection of the nest that was rewarded by the observed hatching of 7 ducklings this summer. We will continue to monitor this group to gain valuable information on this rare and elusive specie.

In addition, Wild4Ever is working with WCS staff to create a conservation cooperative with a local village to protect a potential waterfowl nesting area. We will also work with local people in a conservation education program that will hopefully involve ecotourism to support their efforts. A very exciting project with great early success

UPDATE 2010:
Dr. Riggs and W4E board member Chris Simmons of Houston Texas recently funded their own trip as Wild4Ever representatives to further the ongoing Cambodia project.  W4E's ongoing support continues to fund WCS rangers protecting known nesting and feeding sites of white wing wood ducks and greater adjutants.  We also continue to fund WCS's local community nest site protection programs for nesting birds.  In addition, W4E is funding local community conservation education meetings and..... we are happy to report that our Wild4Ever funded conservation bird blind is completed and operational!! This blind on an important wildlife wetland and is part of a community wildlife protection project and will allow eco-tourists from around the world come to the area to view these endangered species.  It will also bring funds to the local village to guide tourists to the blind and to run the nearby WCS eco-conservation camp, serving as further protection to the area.  Wild4Ever was proud to be the first "eco-tourists" to try out the conservation camp and bird blind! It was a great experience and the WCS and local cambodian community should be very proud of their efforts....efforts that will serve the conservation of Cambodian wildlife for years to come!

Venezuelan Conservation
We have recently received the final study report outlining the successful completion of the Wild4Ever/Palm Beach Zoo partnered Orinoco goose nest box program.  Recent habitat loss in the Llanos wetland area of central Venezuela threatens an endemic species of tree nesting goose. 

Wild4Ever and its partners developed a project to determine if  the population of Orinoco geese could be enlarged by the strategic placement of artificial nest boxes in their historic nesting areas.  We funded the nest box production, transportation, placement, and monitoring throughout the 2008 breeding season.  Results were very promising and serve as an excellent pilot project that can be utilized in other areas of habitat loss to support the populations of these vanishing geese.

Madagascar Conservation
Wild4Ever is happy to continue our conservation partnership with the Madagascar Fauna Group and participate in the funding of their important work in this fragile, critically important wildlife habitat.  The conservation project is multi-faceted, focusing equally on animal health issues, habitat preservation, and community and governmental education.  We look forward to a long productive relationship.

Panama Jaguar Conservation
2008 has been a great year for progress on the conservation of our foundation’s flagship animal.  We are very proud to be a founding partner of the Summit Jaguar Conservation Center in Panama.  This is a facility that serves multiple purposes.  It represents a jaguar conservation education center, opening the eyes of countless visitors daily to the plight of the jaguar in Central America.  The facility also is a meeting place for conservationists from throughout the country to meet and exchange ideas and launch new conservation initiatives.  Finally the Summit facility can serve as a “safe house” for jaguars found near populated areas that would normally be destroyed.  They now can be safely relocated to the near jaguar facility to be relocated to safe, protected habitat.

To further aid this project, Wild4Ever has recently donated a blow gun and darts desperately needed by the project’s veterinarian, Dr. Diorene Smith, to help with the humane transport of the endangered cats.  We look forward to increasing our participation with this growing conservation movement in Panama.  For 2009, we hope to help fund regional education/conservation seminars throughout the jaguar’s native habitat through a series of regional workshops in Panama, and continue the efforts to protect the wild jaguars throughout the country.

Wild4Ever continues to be committed to conservation of local species as well as endangered species worldwide.  We have enlarged our wildlife rehabilitation support through the Barberton Veterinary Clinic and our conservation partners:

• Medina Raptor Center
• Stark Parks
• Project Orphan
• Ohio Division of Wildlife
• Metro Parks serving Summit County

Our current project with Metro Parks serving Summit County is a partnership to support local bat conservation.  Bat populations are critical to maintain local ecosystems and with habitat destruction and developing disease issues, the need for bat conservation is more important than ever.  Wild4Ever and Summit Metro Parks has partnered in a series of fundraisers to construct a long-term bat “condo” to safety provide housing for thousands of local bats.  We look forward to having construction complete late 2009.

Kibale Community Wood Fuel Project

Wild4Ever was happy to contribute to this exciting Uganda project to save critical Mountain Gorilla habitat in a way that helps the people that live in the habitat as well.  The Kibale Project helps local inhabitants build fuel efficient cook stoves and plant quickly renewable firewood trees to greatly minimize the need to destroy local forested areas that the critically endangered gorillas need for survival.

Health-in-Harmony

This Indonesian Conservation Foundation also embodies Wild4Ever’s goals to accomplish conservation in a manner beneficial to local populations.  Wild4ever’s donation to Health-in-Harmony supports local village human health care in return for village conservation oriented efforts  that will help sustain important orangutan and other rainforest animal habitat.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center

Wild4ever’s successful “Bowling for Sun Bears” event raised funds to help in the construction of Borneo’s first Sun bear conservation, rehabilitation, and education center.  Hopefully this facility will continue to grow and with the efforts of the dedicated staff will make a huge impact into conservation and education for this very endangered bear.

Coyote Project

Working with a coalition of regional partners, researchers from Metro Parks, Serving Summit County have started tracking coyotes as part of a multi-year project aimed at learning about the wild canines’ range, diet and overall health.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Friends of Metro Parks "Outside is IN" Program

W4E has contributed to Friends of Metro Parks "Outside is IN" program which brings school children which normally don't have access to the parks in for an overnight camp and multitude of daily events highlighting conservation, wildlife and the benefits of the parks. 

Click HERE to learn more.