BIODIVERSITY
he forests, coral reefs, and wetlands of the Asia/Pacific region
are home to a fascinating array of animals and plants. They also
supply people with basic needs such as food and medicines. By
working to conserve these natural treasure troves, WWF helps not
only to protect the habitat of endangered pandas, rhinoceroses,
and tigers but also the livelihoods of local people.
Although legally protected, some plants and animals can be sold
for high prices. Tigerbone and rhino horn, for example, are key
ingredients in some traditional medicines. A WWF-sup-ported programme
known as TRAFFIC*, with several offices in the region, monitors
the wildlife market in an effort to eliminate illegal trade.
Meanwhile, WWF activities in Indonesia's Gunung Leuser National
Park aim to safeguard the future of rare orangutans, Asian elephants,
and Sumatran rhinos. And staff working in Vietnam's Vu Quang Nature
Reserve recently identified the sao la and the giant muntjac -
two large mammal species previously unknown to science.
The sea plays a vital role in the life of this region. WWF therefore
works to conserve the valuable resources of the Philippines' El
Nido Marine Reserve and to protect the fragile coral reefs that
lie off Japan's Nansei-Shoto Islands.
*Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce
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