The creation of the series came about because we identified the need to communicate differently about biodiversity.

During our expeditions we have recorded several species in high quality videos, and in our networks we published those videos, but we saw that there was little interaction from people who did not know about the birds or those who were interested.

In that sense, we came up with the idea of making a digital series, with the intention of making a different way about the biodiversity of the Alto Mayo. We had to design the series, evaluate possible recording scenarios, select fauna, build stories, plan logistics, make alliances with audiovisual production companies, expert professionals, audiovisual production, and post production.

The small grant program was a financial mechanism to allow ideas to be developed into projects that benefit the environment and local people. It allowed community members to demonstrate that sustainable tourism, agriculture, water management and recreation were feasible and how they benefit the area. 

Both individuals and NGOs were given the opportunity to apply for grants up to EUR 20,000 for local initiatives. Prospective grantees were given guidelines, including the requirement that the proposal implemented objectives or activities of the management, especially in priority areas. The grantees also were required to consult with the authority for protected areas, who are responsible for the management of the Buna River Velipoje protected landscape. 

A panel consisting of project partners and local authorities worked together to assess and decide on successful grants. 

For the final activity of a secondary Buna project, which focussed on youth and community engagement, we brought together the grantees to take the lead in running a weekend of community events to celebrate the nature of Buna. The events included a media tour for ecotourism, a concert on the river and a day of education and tours for school students in the protected area. 

Save Vietnam’s Wildlife aims to ensure that our rescue centre serves as a role model for other centres within Vietnam in wildlife rescue management and welfare standards. We lead the way for other organisations across Vietnam and overseas in pangolin rehabilitation by demonstrating the highest animal care standards and providing other facilities with technical advice and training. We have used the development of SVW and our improved outreach capabilities to directly work with other rescue centres in Vietnam. SVW has provided expertise, staff training, and logistical and financial support to help improve animal welfare standards and the capacity of the keepers in several government rescue centres in Vietnam. We have also employed dedicated animal keepers and veterinary staff and improved animal husbandry practices and quarantine procedures.

Our aim is that all rescued, rehabilitated and captive-born carnivores and pangolins are released back to the wild to support the conservation of wild populations, more than 1200 animals were released in the program in 7 years. Before releasing, the suitability of the release locations is assessed based on habitat conditions, evidence of wild populations and hunting pressures are all considered to ensure the best chance of survival for the released animals. We continually monitor these releases and their impacts on wild populations, to ensure that these releases will help support the recovery of threatened wildlife species

The creation of the series came about because we identified the need to communicate differently about biodiversity.

During our expeditions we have recorded in high quality videos several species, and in our networks we published those videos. However, we saw that there was little interaction from people who did not know about the birds or those who were interested.

In that sense, we came up with the idea of making a digital series, with the intention of showing the biodiversity of Alto Mayo in a different way. We had to design the series, evaluate possible recording scenarios, select fauna, build stories, plan logistics, make alliances with audiovisual production companies, expert professionals, audiovisual production, and post production.

We were aware of the local biodiversity, and at the same time we knew what we were looking to show in terms of biological importance and possible national and international audience interest.

In addition, we consider the product to be very valuable in terms of photographic record.

From the conception of the PREDICT project through to today’s day-to-day laboratory management, partners working effectively across sectors has been an essential building block. The PREDICT project brought conservation and health nonprofits and Malaysian federal and local government departments together to collaborate on zoonotic disease surveillance. Over the last 10 years the WHGFL has been able to expand into new surveillance, genetic, and forensic research as capacity is built through open and productive collaboration. The Sabah Wildlife Department has scaled up their involvement increasing their funding for the WHGFL each year and leading the management committee. The management committee ensures the multiple projects utilizing the small laboratory are coordinated and organized, especially as new projects come on board and the scope of work expands.

When the PREDICT project began working in Sabah there was no laboratory dedicated to wildlife sample testing that met the necessary standards for biosafety. The financial and logistical hurdles of building the necessary infrastructure from the ground up were too high for this project, making a brand-new lab not an option. Instead, SWD and CM identified an existing empty building belonging to SWD in Sabah and renovated it to meet international laboratory standards, as detailed in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Guidelines (6th Ed.) for Biosafety Containment Level 2 requirements, to establish the WHGFL. These upgrades saved the project time and money, allowing samples to safely remain in Sabah for virus screening and creating a state-of-the-art lab for SWD and DGFC to pursue genetic and forensic research.

Community buy-in and participation are key building blocks for project success and sustainability. These depend in large measure on community awareness of the project itself, as well as its intended benefits, beneficiaries, and long-term viability. Raising awareness around new protected areas, revised laws/regulations, community conservation agreements, etc. is also a key element of effective enforcement and interdiction, and assuring community adherence to conservation plans.

The overall project objective is "to facilitate a transformative shift towards sustainable land and forest management in the forested landscape of Savannakhet Province in order to secure the critical wildlife habitats, conserve biodiversity and maintain a continuous flow of multiple services including quality water provision and flood prevention." This transformative shift to sustainability is predicated on the provision of adequate alternatives to unsustainable resource use. Previous unsustainable usages of the project's forested landscapes (e.g. logging, poaching) will not cease unless replacement livelihood activities provide an economic benefit and improve income generation for participating villagers.