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Spring 2005 Granting Cycle Commits Funds Around the World In March, the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund awarded its third round of conservation grants, supporting projects ranging from reducing sea turtle egg poaching in Costa Rica to protecting endangered zebras in Kenya. Of the 85 applications received, 24 were awarded grants totaling $265,000, all supporting wildlife conservation through either rescue and rehabilitation, habitat protection, species research or education. Below is a world map indicating specific projects the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has supported.

HABITAT PROTECTION Featured project: “Use of Remote Video to Protect Habitat of Endangered Steller Sea Lions”       Partner: St. George Traditional Council Location: St. George Island, Alaska Project Summary: This project uses video technology to document and protect the critical habitat of endangered Steller sea lions on a remote shoreline of St. George Island, Alaska. Local students will be involved in the research necessary to protect this species of signifi cance to the local community. Commercial fi shing pressure has increased in a critical sea lion foraging area surrounding St. George Island, partly because sea lion numbers were not adequately documented. This project uses newly developed remote video technology to collect census and life history data required to maintain critical habitat protection under the Endangered Species Act. Through this unique combination of environmental education and scientifi c research, local students will extend their traditional knowledge by observing sea lion behavior.       ANIMAL RESCUE AND REHABILITATION Featured project: “Providing Water to Rescued Animals”       Partner: WildAid Location: Cambodia Project Summary: Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center provides refuge for victims of the illegal wildlife trade and maintains a fl uctuating population of 600 to 1,000 animals representing more than 70 species, many endangered and threatened. The current daily water requirement for the animals exceeds 60,000 liters. Current methods are insuffi cient, and following two extremely dry wet seasons, the center is reaching crisis status with animals becoming sick from drinking and swimming in stagnant water. The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is supporting an innovative WildAid project that will supply a constant and sustainable source of high-quality drinking water for the center.

CONSERVATION EDUCATION Featured project: “Abatement of Egg Poaching in a Pacific Leatherback Nesting Site” Partner: World Wildlife Fund Location: Costa Rica Project Summary: This project aims to increase the percentage of hatchlings from leatherback and black sea turtle nests occurring on an unprotected Costa Rica beach. Pacifi c leatherbacks are at risk of extinction unless drastic measures are taken. Every egg counts. Poaching currently impacts two-thirds of leatherback nests and all black turtle nests at Playa Junquillal, a recently discovered beach with a high number of nests. Increasing awareness of the benefi ts of marine turtle conservation among nest poachers and egg consumers, this project promotes alternative income sources dependent on live marine turtles. Specifi cally, a comprehensive community education program encourages poachers to generate income by participating in research and conservation programs.           SPECIES RESEARCH – TERRESTRIAL Featured project: “Surveillance & Monitoring of Grevy’s Zebra in Melako Conservancy” Partner: Northern Rangelands Trust Location: Northern Kenya Project Summary: The Northern Rangelands Trust facilitates a collective approach between communities, government and non-government organizations to wildlife conservation and improvement of human livelihoods in northern Kenya. One of its principal objectives is to support the in-situ conservation of endangered species. Its fl agship species is Grevy’s zebra, with 70 percent of the global population remaining in the Trust’s project areas. The northernmost project is Melako Conservancy, a new initiative managed by the Rendille tribe and hosting a 200-strong population of Grevy’s zebra. This population is relatively unknown and under pressure from poaching and competition with livestock. This project will establish surveillance and biological monitoring systems, raise awareness and increase the capacity of the Rendille communities to develop an integrated livestock/wildlife management plan.       SPECIES RESEARCH – MARINE Featured project: “Oil in Troubled Waters: Does Fish Liver Oil Reduce Interactions between Seabirds and Longline Fisheries?” Partner: New Zealand’s Dept. of Conservation Location: New Zealand Project Summary: Longline fi sheries have frequent and often fatal interactions with seabirds. In 2003, a New Zealand fi sherman won a competition aimed at fi nding ways to reduce fi shery-related seabird mortalities. His idea was to drip fi sh liver oil into the ocean as baited hooks were set out. Preliminary trials show that fi sh liver oil is effective in reducing seabird numbers behind fi shing vessels and the numbers diving to retrieve bait. This project’s objective is to test the fi sh oil mitigation method on snapper fi shing boats. The snapper fi shery overlaps with the black petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni), which is at risk of extinction, with only 2,500 breeding pairs worldwide. If successful, this method will be promoted as a mitigation measure for longline vessels in New Zealand and the world.