Mainland Asia
The fragmented wildlife habitats of Mainland Asia are home to some of Earth’s most treasured and endangered mammal species. Asian elephants, greater one-horned rhinos, Bengal tigers and Asiatic leopards roam amongst the foliage alongside numerous bird, reptile and plant species equally in need of conservation.
With a burgeoning human population across many countries in Asia, leading to rapid development, most wildlife habitats are severely threatened. Still, many of these countries boast large populations of highly endemic species, which continue to thrive in coexistence with people.
This coexistence is facing mounting threats leading to increases in conflicts that then risk severe declines in species' populations as a result of retaliatory persecution. Chester Zoo is working to reduce these threats and strengthen coexistence landscapes involving Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, Asiatic leopards, snow leopards and several other species.
The challenges:
• Rapid urbanisation is a serious environmental and social challenge, with pollution, poor sanitation and agrochemical waste all factors.
• Climate change hotspots in Mainland Asia are set to fundamentally transform the region as temperature increases accelerate.
• Wildlife trade is rife in the region, with some species poached or illegally obtained in large numbers each year.
Our work
South Asia is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, home to almost 15.5% of the world’s plant species and 12% of the world’s animals. Its stunning ecosystems range from low-lying coastal wetlands and semi-arid areas, to the evergreen forests and temperate-alpine zones of the Himalayas.
We work in partnership with the Wildlife Trust of India in the Greater Manas Conservation Landscape in north-western Assam in India. During the last two decades, an increasing human population in and around MTR has resulted in natural wild habitats being converted into human settlements and farmland. This has resulted in conflict between elephants and local people.
Our ‘Assam Haathi Project’ has focused on researching and implementing interventions to mitigate this conflict and restore habitat within and around Manas National Park.
Our projects
Find out more about all of the projects we support in mainland Asia.
In addition, the project seeks to combat poverty in these regions by fostering non-forest dependent ‘green’ livelihoods and enhancing energy security through the adoption of sustainable fuel alternatives, thereby lessening reliance on forest-derived resources.
