1. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Funding Proposal
Wildlife Action Group Malawi Elephant Project
Principle Investigator
Miss Emma-Louise Spicer
Wildlife Action Group Malawi
PO Box 840
Salima
Malawi
Phone: +265991224599
Email: emma.spicer@student.hadlow.ac.uk
Co-Investigator
Miss Lucy Bushell
Wildlife Action Group Malawi
PO Box 840
Salima
Malawi
Phone: +265991224599
Lucy.bushell@student.hadlow.ac.uk
Budget
Total Project Budget:
Total Requested from the International Elephant Foundation:
Project Start Date: November 2014
Project End Date: November 2015
Is any part of the project underway?: Not currently
Project Category
-Field Conservation
-Field Research
-Conservation Education
2. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Project Abstract
Thuma Forest reserve is under threat of deforestation due to illegal activities which
include, charcoal and timber burning, felling of trees for firewood and illegal cutting of
bamboo. These illegal activities are carried out as resources are used by the villages
surrounding the reserve for cooking and building. However, the disturbance and
degradation of the forest leads to increasing pressures on Loxodonta africana
(African elephant) to wonder out of the reserve into villages leading to human-wildlife
conflict.
Currently, there is only one entry point into the joint forest reserves for legal
harvesting of bamboo, meaning that a vast amount of bamboo collection is carried
out illegally and regular arrests are made.
The protect goals are: (1) to allow villages surrounding the reserve to harvest
resources in a sustainable and legal manner (2) reduce disturbance to the elephant
population in the Thuma forest and (3) reduce human-wildlife conflict between
Malawi villages and elephants.
In order to achieve these project goals the project plans to put a systematic entry
scheme in place allowing bamboo to be harvested legally and sustainably with
addition of radio tracking of elephants in order to reduce human disturbance.
Funding assistance from the International Elephant Foundation is therefore required
for scouts, vehicle expenses and radio tracking equipment.
The project has potential to have a beneficial impact on elephant conservation in the
Thuma reserve by reducing degradation of the forest habitat and the resources it
provides, which will in turn reduce disturbance to elephants and the pressures to
wonder into human settlements.
3. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Technical Summary
Justification for the project
The Thuma Forest Reserve is one of the few reserves in Malawi still supporting a
variety of wildlife with a high protection level in comparison to a majority of reserves.
This has as lead to an increase in wildlife populations and the return of elephants to
the reserve in 1999. However, illegal bamboo harvesting is still problematic as there
is only a single entry place for legal harvesting (see fig.2), meaning that a majority of
bamboo cutting is still carried out illegally leading to disturbance and human-wildlife
conflict.
Brief description of methodology
A systematic entry scheme is to put into place allowing villagers to harvest bamboo
legally alongside education concerning sustainable harvesting and use of bamboo.
In addition to this, GPS monitoring of elephants to investigate patterns in movement
will be put in place with the aim of reducing disturbance and preventing elephants
from entering villages before any conflict arises as well as direct conflict during
harvesting
Short term benefits and outputs
The project will allow Malawi people to harvest bamboo legally with minimal conflict
with elephants. In addition, education will also allow villagers to make sustainable
use of bamboo for firewood, building, reduction of erosion and water supply.
Long term conservation of elephants
The systematic entry scheme and GPS monitoring of elephants will aid in reducing
disturbance whilst preserving forest habitat and preventing depletion of bamboo
resources on which elephants rely on for a food source. This will in turn reduce
pressures for elephants to wonder into villages and come into conflict with humans.
Personnel and organisations involved
Team of scouts Admin
Volunteers
Specialist Game Ranger Malawi Department of Forestry
Vehicle driver
Education officer
Wildlife Action Group International
4. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Project Narrative
Project rationale
The Wildlife Action Group Malawi has two protected areas located between Lilongwe
and Lake Malawi on the edge of the Great Rift Valley in the Central Region of Malawi
(see figures 1. and 2.). The area covered is approximately 500km2: The Thuma
Forest Reserve (197km2) and the Dedza-Salima Forest Reserve (320km2) with an
estimated elephant population of 120 individuals.
The Thuma Forest reserve is under threat of deforestation due to illegal activities
such as charcoal burning and harvesting of bamboo and timber. This not only
threatens to destroy the forest habitat; but also disturbs wildlife and disrupts
ecosystem services.
Deforestation is suggested to account for a fifth of carbon emissions globally and
leads to draughts and environmental damage (Rosenberg, 2012). As well as this the
use of charcoal and wood charcoal for cooking has a significant health risk due to air
pollution (Rosenberg, 2012).
Bamboo has potential to reduce deforestation as, unlike trees, bamboo will regrow
after harvesting providing it is cut effectively (Rosenberg, 2012). Bamboo is also a
renewable resource that can be used for cooking and building; additionally it can be
used as a means to reduce erosion and maintain water supply (Rosenberg, 2012).
The current issue at state is that across the entire reserve there is a single entry
point for legal harvesting of bamboo meaning that villagers bordering the reserve are
harvesting bamboo illegally and are being criminalised.
Human disturbance caused by illegal activities in the forest is in turn putting
pressures on elephants to wonder into villages and come into conflict with humans,
with the nearest village just 14 metres from the reserve.
The project plans to put a Systematic Entry Scheme in place allowing legal
harvesting of bamboo, which will in turn prevent the criminalisation of local Malawi
people.
5. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
In addition to this use of geographical positioning systems (GPS) on elephant
movements, to identify activity patterns, will aid in reducing disturbance and in turn
the risks of human-wildlife conflict in villages and within the forest reserve.
Educational schemes for local people will also be put in place in order to ensure that
bamboo is harvested effectively preventing die off and to encourage the use of
bamboo as it is a renewable resource.
The sustainable and legal harvesting of bamboo could potentially reduce
deforestation and depletion of natural resources for elephant populations and
preserve the Thuma forest habitat and its ecosystem services.
Project Objectives
Reduce illegal harvesting of
bamboo within the reserve
Educate Malawi people in
effective harvesting of bamboo
to prevent die off
Reduce human disturbance to
elephants within the Thuma Forest
Reserve
Encourage the use of bamboo as
a renewable resource
Reduce human-wildlife conflict
within Malawi villages bordering
the reserve
Protect the Fauna and Flora of
the Thuma forest and the
ecosystem services it provides
Systematic entry has not been carried out within the Thuma reserve previously;
therefore this approach will be carried out as a pilot study in order to investigate
effectiveness and potential benefits for the future.
Currently there are scouts in place on the reserve that protect wildlife and confiscate
illegal firewood and bamboo. This has increased the legal purchasing of bamboo;
however illegal harvesting still occurs due to the limited entry for legal harvesting.
GPS monitoring has been used previously for elephants known to raid crops
regularly (typically bulls); an example being in Laikipia, Kenya (Space for Giants,
2014). However, the approach for this project seeks to monitor herds of elephants
within the reserve and distinguish any patterns in movements each year in order to
reduce human disturbance, while harvesting bamboo legally. This is with the aim of
reducing the risk of elephants wondering outside the reserve border into villages.
6. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Methodology and work plan
The project will run as a pilot study for three years with potential to continue beyond
this period if successful. A project hub will be built in which planning, research and
meetings can take place. During the first 2 weeks of building the team will meet and
make plans for the project and assign roles. The following specific activities will be
implemented in order to meet the project objectives:
Elephant radio tagging
In the first year elephants in the Thuma forest reserve will be fitted with radio
collars in order to monitor movements and investigate activity patterns.
There will be one radio collar per herd; fitted to the matriarch female.
Solitary bulls will also be independently radio tagged.
With an average 9 herds and 3 bulls, approximately 12 radio collars will be
required plus a receiver and a computer for data analysis
Radio tracking will be carried out throughout the three year pilot
Two days per week coordinates will be recorded for movements
At end of year one and two a GIS specialist will be hired for three days to
analyse elephant movements and plot the data on a illustrative map
Radio tracking of the Thuma forest elephants will be evaluated every year in
order for ensure that problems are identified and improvements are made.
The GIS specialist will return for one week at end of the three years to
compare and analysis all data across the pilot study to identify any patterns
Systematic Entry Scheme
The systematic entry scheme will run throughout the three year pilot
There are 12 villages surrounding the Thuma forest reserve
2 teams of rangers will be deployed in the surrounding villages
8 rangers will be employed in total allowing 4 rangers per team
Each team of rangers will be responsible for 3 groups (2 villages per group)
Legal bamboo harvesting will be permitted for villagers for six weeks at a time
Two weeks legal harvesting per group
The rangers will be budgeted for seven weeks to allow for any delays
2 vehicles* (one per team) required
7. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Education programme
The education programme will run throughout the three year pilot
The education team will meet for two days before the start of the programme
to plan appropriate topics and educational activities
There will then be a one week initial intense course provided to villages
The intense course will be followed up by 3 educational days biannually to
ensure that progress is made and support is offered to villages
1 vehicle will be used for the education team to travel to villages
*Vehicles can be leant to other research projects in the area
Why this is most suitable method to meet the project objectives
The project is being trial run as a pilot study with evaluation throughout to identify
faults in the methodology and ensure improvements are made.
The methodology offers benefits to local people with legal provisions of natural
resources needed by people living in an undeveloped area, whilst education will
encourage sustainable and effective harvesting of bamboo.
Increased understanding of elephant movement patterns and the education provided
to local people can benefit elephant populations by preventing degradation of the
forest habitat, as well as disturbance leading to human-wildlife conflict.
Expected results, how these will be analyses with potential use as a model for
other conservation projects
It is expected that due to the systematic entry scheme the level of illegal bamboo
harvesting and arrests of local villagers will reduce.
Increased knowledge of elephant movements and education concerning effective
and sustainable harvesting will lesson disturbance to elephants in the forest and in
turn ensure that elephants are not forced out of the reserve into villages. This is
expected to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
It is expected that with education in place understanding of effective harvesting of
bamboo will increase. This will allow improved growth of bamboo and prevent die off.
8. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
The project will be analysed by biannual meetings to review progress, discuss
complications and areas for improvements.
Feedback will be collected from rangers responsible for the systematic entry, as well
as from the education team and the villages involved.
The creation of a set methodology and work plan with clear and concise evaluation
throughout will allow improvements to be made, as well as identification of
achievements, which could be used as a future model for other conservation
projects.
Monitoring and Evaluation Procedures
Throughout the project monitoring will be carried out in order to ensure that the
project objectives are met with continuous evaluation to determine the significance of
the project for elephant conservation.
In order to monitor the effectiveness of the systematic entry scheme, records of the
number of arrests for illegal bamboo harvesting will be kept over the three year
project. These records can be compared to historical data, as well as on a yearly
basis, to determine whether or not the frequency of arrests decreases.
Records of elephant attacks on humans and conflict cases in villages will also be
kept, with the means of monitoring the effectiveness of GPS tracking on elephant
movement patterns on a yearly basis.
The activity movements of the elephants in the Thuma forest may result in being
sporadic with no apparent patterns in movement or migration routes. However,
monitoring the location of elephants can allow harvesting to be carried out in certain
areas minimising disturbance and pressures to wonder into human settlements; this
will be evaluated with the records of elephant attacks.
Regular interviews with villagers will also be kept to gain feedback and offer
opportunity for the villages to have an input in the project.
Additionally ranger interviews will be conducted in order to monitor the progress of
the systematic entry scheme and ensure that the project continues to benefit both
Malawi communities and the elephants of the Thuma forest reserve.
9. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
The significance of the systematic entry scheme will be determined by the
willingness of the local communities to participate, as well as changed attitudes
towards sustainable harvesting of bamboo and the long term benefits of renewable
natural resources.
The education project can be evaluated by the level of enthusiasm of villagers to be
involved, along with improved attitudes concerning sustainable harvesting and
elephant conservation. Working closely with villages surrounding the reserve will
allow a rapport to be made, which will in turn allow the needs of people living in
poverty to be met whilst ensuring that the project has a significant impact on
elephant conservation.
Sustainability
The results of the project can be of aid in future management planning for elephant
conservation related projects. In order for this project to be successful long term on
going funding support is required for at least for 3 years whilst the project becomes
established. After this period set up of funds and support from other organisations
will be required for continued conservation work and benefits to elephant populations
into the long term future.
Understanding of the benefits of sustainable bamboo harvesting as a renewable
resource for cooking and building activities (as well the benefits of reduction in
erosion and maintenance of water supply) will benefit future generations of the
villagers living in close proximity to the forest reserve beyond the grant period.
Furthermore education concerning sustainable harvesting of natural resources, and
the long term benefits of doing so, has potential to benefit vast communities across
the world if utilised by other conservation projects.
Investigation of elephant movements will increase knowledge of elephant behaviour,
which could be of benefit in future conservation plans and by other conservation
institutions.
On a worldwide scale, the radio tracking method utilised could be used in different
areas of Africa and India on a larger scope as currently used to gain further
understanding of elephant movements and behaviour.
11. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Budget
BUDGET ITEM
AMOUNT
REQUESTED
FROM IEF
MATCHING
FUNDSOR
SECURED
FROM OTHER
PARTNERS
BALANCE
REQUIRED (Not
includingfunds
requestedfrom
IEF) For Total
Project Length
(3 Years)
TOTAL
PROJECT
COSTS
(For the
first year)
StandardOffice
Room(10m²) $2000 $2000 $2000 SCIF
Computer $500 $500 $500 SCIF
RadioCollars(1 per
herdestimatedat9
herds+ 3 Bulls@
$300 each) $3600 $3600 $3600 $3600 Ruffordbackup
Receiver $1000 $1000 $1000 $1000 Ruffordbackup
Admin(2 daysper
weekat$8 perday
x 52 weeks) $832 $2496 $832 SCIF
GIS Specialist(3
daysper yearfor
the first2 years+ 1
week/5daysat the
endof the final
year@ $50 per
day) $150 $550 $150 SCIF
TrackingProject=
$8082 for1st
year/ $10146 for
total 3 year
project
EducationTeam
(Sustainable
Bamboo
Harvesting,1
week/5dayinitial
course per village +
3 daysper village
biannual support
visitsx 12 villages,
3 personteam@
$5 each perday) $1980 $4140 $1980 SCIF
$900 for initial 1
weekcourse
+ $3240 ongoing
Supportive
visitingcostsover
3 years(or $1080
peryear)
EducationTeam,
Supportplanning
and evaluation(1
week/5days
planning+2 days
evaluationpervisit
x 7 visits,3 person
team@ $5 per
personperday) $315 $735 $315 PPG
For planning
village education
before visitsand
evaluating
success/village
involvementand
interest/problem
solvingafter.
12. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Fuel Costs
(1000kms reserve
circumference +
500km deviation
betweenvillages,
Total of 7 visiting
roundsover3 years
= 10,500kms total
@ $2 perkm) $9000 $21000 $9000 SCIF
$9000 (Firstyear,
Roundtrip for
initial course +2
Supportive Visits)
($6000 peryear
for the following
2 years
Supportive visits)
Sustainable
BambooHarvesting
Teams(6 weeks/6
daysper week,4
Rangersper teamx
2 @ $20 eachper
day) $5760 $17280 $5760 SCIF
EducationProject
= $11295 for1st
year/
$25875 for total 3
yearproject
HarvestingTeam,
Planningand
evaluation(1
week/5days
planning+2 days
evaluationpervisit
x 1 visit,8 Rangers
@ $20 per day
each) $1120 $3360 $1120 PPG
Fuel Costs
(1000kms return
tripper team+
estimated720kms
supervised
harvestingdistance
(basedon20kms
perday x 36 days)
+ 500kms deviation
allowance =
2220kms x 2 teams
@ $2 perkm $8880 $26640 $8880 SCIF
Harvesting
Project= $15760
for 1st year/
$47280 for total 3
yearproject
Tents(1 x 3 man @
$75 + 2 x 4 man @
$100 each) $275 $275 $275 $275
PPG
back up
FirstAidKits(1 per
vehicle x 3 vehicles
@ $15 each) $45 $45 $45 PPG
Vehiclesx3@
$1000 each(1 for
Educational Team+
1 perRanger team) $3000 $3000 $3000 $3000
SCIF
back up
13. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Vehicle
Maintanance
(Rangervehicle 6
weeks/1.4months
peryear x 2
vehicles(Totalling
2.8 monthsper
year) + 1 Education
vehicle active for
24 weeks/5.5
monthsperyear,
equatesto8.3
monthsperyear
total usage for all 3
vehicles@$100
permonth
maintanance) $830 $830 $2490 $830
SCIF
back up
Supportive funds
= $4150 for 1st
year/ $5810
for total 3 year
project
TOTAL $9065 $39287 $89111 $39287
Budget Justification
Alternative Sources/options
14. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Project Location
Fig.1. Map of location of reserve: The Central Region of Malawi
(African Pride, 2014)
*Reserve location in Malawi
15. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Dedza-Salima Forest Reserve
Fig.2.
Thuma Forest Reserve Current Bamboo entrance
16. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Literature cited
OpenStreetMap.org, 2014. Malawi. Available through: <http://www.wag-
malawi.org/nav/about/region.html> (Accessed 14/10/2014)
OpenStreetMap.org, 2014. Thuma forest reserve and Dedza-Salima forest reserve.
Available through: <http://www.wag-malawi.org/nav/about/region.html> (Accessed
14/10/2014)
Pemberton, J.P, 2014. Wildlife Action Group Malawi lecture. AGRI 1148. Animal
Human Conflict Resolution. Hadlow College, unpublished
Rosenberg, T.G., 2012. In Africa’s Vanishing Forests, the Benefits of Bamboo. The
New York Times (online) 13th of March. Available at
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/in-africas-vanishing-forests-the-
benefits-of-bamboo/ (Accessed 12/10/14)
Sibale, B., and Banda, G., 2004. A study on livelihoods, governance and illegality:
Law enforcement, illegality and the forest dependent poor in Malawi (pdf file) Malawi.
Forest Governance Learning Group
Space for Giants, 2014. Mitigating human-wildlife conflict. (online) Available at
http://www.spaceforgiants.org/?q=projects/mitigating-human-wildlife-conflict
(Accessed 12/10/14)
Space for Giants, 2014. About us. (online) Available at
http://www.spaceforgiants.org/?q=about-us (Accessed 12/10/14)
Wildlife Action Group International, 2014.
Wildlife Action Group Malawi, 2014. Thuma Forest Reserve. (online) Available at
http://www.wag-malawi.org/nav/projects/thuma.html (Accessed 12/10/2014)
Wildlife Action Group Malawi, 2014. Region (online) Available at http://www.wag-
malawi.org/nav/about/region.html (Accessed 12/10/2014)
17. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Qualifications of Principle and Co-Investigators
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Profile:
A home educated, self motivate, driven individual who has a passion for wildlife conservation and
is focused on working hard to achieve goals.
I have a friendly, outgoing and optimistic nature and am happy
working as part of a team or on my own. I am keen to learn
and am not afraid to ask questions. I like to work hard and
adopt a responsible, pro-active approach to whatever task I am
undertaking.
___________________________________________________________________________
Qualifications:
I am currently participating in the Bsc Hons degree in Animal Conservation and Biodiversity
and I am in my 3rd
and final year.
In July 2012 I graduated and achieved a Distinction in the Extended Diploma in Animal
Management.
Awarded the Swanley Memorial award for overall best student: 2012 (achieved whilst at
Hadlow college)
Awarded the Barclays Business award: 2012 (achieved whilst at Hadlow college)
ABC Level 2 Award in PracticalAnimal Care Skills: 2012 (achieved whilst at Hadlow college)
NCFE Level 2 Award in Employability Skills: 2012 (achieved whilst at Hadlow college)
BSC Level 1 Award in Health and Safety at Work: 2011 (achieved whilst at Hadlow college)
Key Skills Level 2 Maths: 2011 (achieved whilst at Hadlow college)
Key Skills Level 2 ICT: 2011 (achieved whilst at Hadlow college)
Participated in the Extended Diploma Animal Management at Hadlow College: 2010-2012
At the age of 17 (2010) I obtained a place at Hadlow College to study the Level 2 Diploma in
Animal Management. I was however transferred to the Extended Diploma in Animal
Management (Level 3)
First Aid for Pets: 2010
GCSE Foundation Maths-C: 2009-2010
GCSE English Higher-B: 2008-2009
Interpersonal Skills Level 1: 2008
Home Educated until 2008 I then went to Sidcup Adult Education at the age of 15 and
achieved GCSE’s in Maths and English, interpersonal skills and First Aid for Pets.
Name:
Address
Contact details:
Position:
D.O.B
Emma-Louise Spicer
15 Whitebeam Avenue
Bromley
Kent
BR2, 8DJ
Mobile: 0794 194 7707
Email:emmalspicer@hotmail.co.uk
Student/ employed.
6th August 1993
18. FUNDING PROPOSAL EMMA SPICER
Experience and volunteering
As part of my third year at university (2014) I currently undertake lectures in Human Wildlife
Conflict
I was course representative (2013-2014) for my university degree, and I was responsible for
delivering class feedback to my lecturers and course managers concerning both positive and
negative aspects of the course and making suggestions for improvements.
In my second year of university (2013) I undertook volunteering from August till November at
Folly Wildlife Rescue as part of my Industrial Experience unit. Whilst at Folly Wildlife I
conducted data collection and completed a research project and statistical poster in which I
achieved first class grades.
As part of my Degree I have undertaken lectures in Conservation, Global Biodiversity and
Conservation Issues, Wildlife Welfare and Ethics, Animal Behaviour and Research Skills.
For my last college year (2012) I was course representative and was responsible for relaying
feedback from other students to the college in order to improve the college and the student’s
learning experience.
I volunteered at the Girls Brigade from 2008-2010. I was also a young leader at my youth
group between 2010-2012. This involved organising events and activities as well as being
responsible and setting a good example to the group.
As part of my college I also participated in the Student Observation programme. This involved
observing lessons and relaying feedback concerning the positive aspects of the lecturers
teaching techniques and what I thought could be improved. (June 2011)
I undertook work experience at Purrfect Petcare Petts Wood in the summer of 2009. This
lead onto employment in September 2009 after I had turned 16 due to the dedication of my
work within the business.
Career goals:
My goals for the future are to achieve a 1st
in Bsc Hons in Animal Conservation and Biodiversity.
My hopes are that my qualifications and voluntary/industry experience will allow me to gain skills
and get involved with the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitats with ambitions to further
educate people and young children about the importance of wildlife and biodiversity for future
generations
Interests:
Wildlife, ecology, walking, swimming, photography, art, history, cooking, and reading.
References
Tanya Mehmet
Hadlow College (College Lecturer).
Email: Tanya.Mehmet@hadlow.ac.uk
Pamela Worrell
Hadlow College (University Lecturer)
Email: Pamela.Worrall@hadlow.ac.uk
