Common use of Zimbabwe Clause in Contracts

Zimbabwe. The conservation of Grey Crowned Cranes has continued to be promoted by BirdLife Zimbabwe in the Driefontein Grasslands Ramsar Site. In this regard: Joint ground surveys have been successfully conducted twice annually in the Driefontein Grasslands since 2019. There was wide education and awareness-raising on the conservation of Grey Crowned Cranes and other species, such as the Wattled Cranes, in this Ramsar Site. The awareness was also extended to the three districts that share the Ramsar Site. Engagement at district level influenced integration of wetland conservation into district plans. Wetland restoration that took place in this area improved habitat of the Grey Crowned Cranes and other wetland bird species. However, more efforts in habitat restoration and ecosystem management are still required. There is also a need to extend monitoring of Grey Crowned Cranes beyond the Driefontein Grasslands. BirdLife South Africa (BLSA)has taken on the role of coordinator of the Lesser Flamingo International Working Group and is collaborating with the AEWA Secretariat to resuscitate this forum. Discussions are also underway regarding the potential for a coordinated census for this species (possibly for early 2024). The 2022 Pan-African Ornithological Congress provided an opportunity to discuss both of these topics with participants involved in Lesser Flamingo conservation in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. Botswana has developed a draft Flamingo Action Plan, which is at an advanced stage awaiting the approval of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Director. Botswana has developed draft legislation to minimize human disturbance (such as low flying aircrafts and tourist activities) at key flamingo breeding sites. The draft has yet to be finalized and gazetted. Following the initial establishment of a Local Conservation Group for Kamfers Dam, it has been decided to expand this group into a South African Flamingo Research and Conservation Group, Terms of Reference for which are in the process of being finalized. It is envisioned that this group’s activities will include, inter alia, monitoring population numbers and distribution, assessment of threats and developing strategies to mitigate these, implementing conservation action and safeguarding important sites. The group’s founding members are representatives from Ekapa (the BirdLife Species Guardian for the Lesser Flamingo), BLSA, and ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ University. Given that it is a priority to obtain accurate population data for the Lesser Flamingo throughout its range and that ground surveys are not practical for all sites, BLSA has been working to develop a method of deriving population estimates from drone and satellite imagery. This product is currently being refined and, once complete, would provide a rapid, reliable, and scalable method of estimating the state and trend of this species. A hurdle, however, is the cost of satellite imagery at the resolution needed (spatial resolution of ca.50cm). Using a combination of field data, water tests/analysis and satellite imagery, BLSA has additionally developed, and aims to refine, a habitat tool that can map the presence and state of suitable foraging habitat for Lesser Flamingos (namely, water bodies with appropriate food sources - i.e., cyanobacteria). Two countries within the species’ breeding range have national species action plans: Madagascar - Strategy for the conservation of the Madagascar Pond Heron 2022-2030. Key achievements have included the following:

Zimbabwe. The conservation of Grey Crowned Cranes has continued to be promoted by BirdLife Zimbabwe in the Driefontein Grasslands Ramsar Site. In this regard: • Joint ground surveys have been successfully conducted twice annually in the Driefontein Grasslands since 2019. • There was wide education and awareness-raising on the conservation of Grey Crowned Cranes and other species, such as the Wattled Cranes, in this Ramsar Site. The awareness was also extended to the three districts that share the Ramsar Site. Engagement at district level influenced integration of wetland conservation into district plans. • Wetland restoration that took place in this area improved habitat of the Grey Crowned Cranes and other wetland bird species. However, more efforts in habitat restoration and ecosystem management are still required. There is also a need to extend monitoring of Grey Crowned Cranes beyond the Driefontein Grasslands. BirdLife South Africa (BLSA)has taken on the role of coordinator of the Lesser Flamingo International Working Group and is collaborating with the AEWA Secretariat to resuscitate this forum. Discussions are also underway regarding the potential for a coordinated census for this species (possibly for early 2024). The 2022 Pan-African Ornithological Congress provided an opportunity to discuss both of these topics with participants involved in Lesser Flamingo conservation in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. • Botswana has developed a draft Flamingo Action Plan, which is at an advanced stage awaiting the approval of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Director. • Botswana has developed draft legislation to minimize human disturbance (such as low flying aircrafts and tourist activities) at key flamingo breeding sites. The draft has yet to be finalized and gazetted. • Following the initial establishment of a Local Conservation Group for Kamfers Dam, it has been decided to expand this group into a South African Flamingo Research and Conservation Group, Terms of Reference for which are in the process of being finalized. It is envisioned that this group’s activities will include, inter alia, monitoring population numbers and distribution, assessment of threats and developing strategies to mitigate these, implementing conservation action and safeguarding important sites. The group’s founding members are representatives from Ekapa (the BirdLife Species Guardian for the Lesser Flamingo), BLSA, and ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ University. • Given that it is a priority to obtain accurate population data for the Lesser Flamingo throughout its range and that ground surveys are not practical for all sites, BLSA has been working to develop a method of deriving population estimates from drone and satellite imagery. This product is currently being refined and, once complete, would provide a rapid, reliable, and scalable method of estimating the state and trend of this species. A hurdle, however, is the cost of satellite imagery at the resolution needed (spatial resolution of ca.50cm). • Using a combination of field data, water tests/analysis and satellite imagery, BLSA has additionally developed, and aims to refine, a habitat tool that can map the presence and state of suitable foraging habitat for Lesser Flamingos (namely, water bodies with appropriate food sources - i.e., cyanobacteria). Two countries within the species’ breeding range have national species action plans: • Madagascar - Strategy for the conservation of the Madagascar Pond Heron 2022-2030. Key achievements have included the following:: - 3 new articles published related to the biological and ecological study of this species (2019-2022). - 21 nesting sites were identified, with approximately 800 breeding pairs (2022). • Mayotte (France outre-mer département) - National Action Plan for Mayotte (2018-2022). An update of this action plan is underway. Key achievements include: - A standardized document for this species’ population monitoring was developed and has been implemented since 2018. - The population evaluation occurring in 2021-2022, with 830 mature birds There is no national action plan for the French islands (Europa, Aldabra), although the Madagascar Pond Heron has been recorded there (2022 data is available). To date, there are no records for this species in the Seychelles, Comoros or Mauritius (investigation is needed). Data is available from the International Waterbird Census for some countries, such as Kenya and Mozambique. An effort is being made to revitalize the International Working Group through communication and information sharing regarding the ISSAP’s implementation. To this end, focal points have been contacted from countries within the species’ breeding range.