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Annual Report 2023

Celebrating conservation success

Over the past 12 months, the Fund has made big gains in conservation that positively impacted endangered species and the dedicated individuals protecting them. From rescuing species on the brink of extinction to rediscoveries, these successes enhance biodiversity and strengthen ecosystem resilience, showcasing our collective commitment to preserving the planet's natural heritage.

Foreword

As I reflect on the accomplishments and strides made in species conservation, it is my pleasure to introduce the 2023 Annual Report of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, themed ‘Celebrating Conservation Successes.’ This theme is a testament to the impactful work being done globally, supported by our commitment to providing targeted financial assistance to direct species conservation project worldwide. These grants, often modest but pivotal, empower conservationists working tirelessly to protect some of the most endangered species on our planet—species that are frequently uncharismatic and even overlooked.

At the core of our mission is the belief that every species matters, as each grant from the Mohamed Bin Zayed Fund supports efforts to stabilize and recover critical populations, reinforcing the interconnected web of life on Earth. These species are essential for maintaining ecological balance. COP28 (United Nations Climate Change Conference), held in December 2023, where nations agreed to stop deforestation by 2030, was a watershed moment that recognized the importance of nature to climate solutions. While our grants may not directly address global policy changes, they serve as an important model that works to protect nature and biodiversity, subsequently supporting broader climate solutions. Our grants empower local conservationists whose passion and regional expertise are vital for success, emphasizing our reliance on nature and species conservation to safeguard our planet’s rich heritage for future generations.

This year’s report highlights remarkable stories of resilience and recovery. Through focused financial support, we have seen firsthand how dedicated conservation efforts can reverse the fortunes of species, many of which are at the brink of extinction. These successes are not only victories for biodiversity but also bolster broader environmental stability, contributing to climate change mitigation and enhancing community health and wellbeing.

Looking forward, the challenges remain significant, but the stories of success we celebrate today reinforce our resolve. Each grant, each project we support, is a step towards a richer, more vibrant planet. Together, through continued collaboration and unwavering commitment to conservation, we can extend this impact. Protecting nature is ultimately about protecting ourselves—ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future for all. I invite you to join us in this vital endeavor, as we continue to champion the cause of species conservation and build on our successes for years to come.

Razan Al Mubarak,
Managing Director

About Us

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund seeks to empower species conservation efforts and programmes globally, embodying the deep-rooted commitment of both the government and the people of Abu Dhabi to preserve our natural heritage.

By preserving and protecting endangered species, we not only safeguard biodiversity but also ensure the sustainability of our natural resources, the stability of ecosystems, and the well-being of all living beings, including humans.

Of the estimated 13-14 million species on Earth, only 1.9 million have been described. Alarmingly, human activity has led to the extinction of 869 species in the past 500 years. The IUCN Red List currently identifies over 163,000 species, with more than 45,300 threatened with extinction, including 41% of amphibians, 37% of sharks and rays, and 36% of reef-building corals.

The alarming statistics from the IUCN Red List highlight the urgent need to recognize the intricate connections between nature, species, and human well-being. The decline of threatened species can disrupt ecological balance, leading to consequences such as reduced pollination, diminished food security, and the collapse of fisheries, all of which are essential for human livelihoods.

Healthy ecosystems provide essential services, such as clean air and water, climate regulation, and natural resources, which directly impact our quality of life. By valuing the interdependence of all living beings, we can ensure a more sustainable relationship with our environment, ensuring that both wildlife and human communities can thrive together.

At the Fund, we are trying to do our bit and have supported over 2800 recipients who have protected over 1,700 species and subspecies, bringing many back from the brink of extinction while discovering new populations and habitats.

This dedicated focus on threatened species makes the Fund unique globally and highly impactful. This number reflects only the minimum species per project supported, making the actual impact even greater. No other funder is as dedicated to supporting threatened species.

Together, let’s forge a sustainable future for all species and the communities they sustain. Join us in creating a world where biodiversity thrives, endangered species flourish, and harmony between humans and nature prevails.

Small Grants

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund provides financial support in the form of small grants of less than $25,000 to conservation projects worldwide. These small grants are as much for the species as they are for the conservationists and organizations working so passionately to protect them.

Small Grants

Case Studies

While the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund supports a diverse range of species through direct funding and engagement with multi-partner conservation projects around the world, the species coverage and number of conservationists supported each year by its small grants programme is unparalleled.

The Fund is dedicated to empowering grassroots conservation initiatives that have a significant impact at a local level. Through our small grants program, we prioritise supporting efforts that often go unnoticed, ensuring that even the less charismatic species receive the attention they deserve.

Every species matters and plays a crucial role in the delicate balance of our ecosystems. By engaging with local communities and focusing on species conservation in their natural habitats whilst working hand in hand with nature, we can make a lasting difference.  Together, let’s protect and celebrate the incredible diversity of life on our planet.

Rediscovery after 40 years
The big puma fungus, Austroomphaliaster nahuelbutensis, is a mysterious species of underground fungi found in Chile’s Nahuelbuta Mountains. It was initially discovered in the 1980s but was recently rediscovered by an expedition team from the Fungi Foundation and Fundación Nahuelbuta. This remarkable find marks the first rediscovery of a fungi species through the Search for Lost Species initiative, which aims to locate species that haven’t been sighted in at least a decade. With the support of the MBZF, the expedition team embarked on a journey to the temperate forests of the Nahuelbuta Mountains in May 2023, following the footsteps of Chilean mycologist Norberto Garrido, who first documented the big puma fungus in 1988. The expedition was meticulously timed to coincide with the exact dates of Garrido’s original exploration over 40 years ago. During their expedition, the team discovered a small mushroom on the first day that shared several characteristics with the big puma fungus. However, it was too tiny to definitively identify in the field. Despite searching for nearly six additional days, no similar mushrooms were found. It was on the last day of the expedition, during a community hike led by the...

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Small Grants

Small grants supported 2023

Click any column header to reorder. Use the search to filter for anything. For example, enter "frog" to see all grants for frogs or "India" to see all grants in that country. You can also filter by Species Type and IUCN Category using the tools in the bottom left. Hover over a row to read a brief grant summary. If the Vernacular Name is in green text, the grant Principal Investigator (PI) has published their own case study on our main website.

IUCN Red List classifications

EXExtinct
EWExtinct in the Wild
CRCritically Endangered
ENEndangered
VUVulnerable
NTNear Threatened
LCLeast Concern
DDData Deficient
NENot Evaluated

Species Types

Amphibian
Bird
Fish
Fungi
Invertebrate
Mammal
Plant
Reptile
TypeIUCNVernacular NameScientific NameNameName of OrganizationCountry, ContinentFunding
Reptile CR Durban dwarf burrowing skink Scelotes inornatus Joshua Weeber Endangered Wildlife Trust South Africa, Africa $24,966
Reptile CR Painted terrapin Batagur borneoensis Muhammad Zaid Nasir World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Malaysia) Malaysia, Asia $25,000
Invertebrate NE Amamioshima dung beetle Phelotrupes oshimanus Mackenzie Kwak Hokkaido University Japan, Asia $8,000
Fungi VU Lavender Baeospora Baeospora myriadophylla Reda Iršėnaitė Nature Research Centre Lithuania, Europe $9,000
Plant NE Small-leaved Currant Bush Coprosma inopinata Theodore Brook Imperial College London and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Australia, Oceania $7,000
Plant EN Tawny Star of Bethlehem Ornithogalum fuscescens Aziz SALAMEH AL Quds Open University Palestinian territories, Asia $10,000
Plant EN Aloe ankoberensis Aloe ankoberensis Abiyot Berhanu Wassie Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Ethiopia, Africa $16,000
Invertebrate NE Tiger Beetles Cicindelidae Sanjay Molur Zoo Outreach Organisation India, Asia $14,000
Invertebrate NE Yabassi freshwater crab Louisea yabassi Pierre Armand Mvogo Ndongo Cameroon Association for Research on Crustaceans and Other Aquatic Resources Cameroon, Africa $9,000
Invertebrate NE Nepal Wall Lopinga lehmanni Bimal Raj Shrestha N/A Nepal, Asia $5,000
Amphibian CR Argelia robber frog Pristimantis bernali Ricardo Medina TropiCall Colombia, South America $11,000
Amphibian NE Tlalocohyla celeste Tlalocohyla celeste Valeria Aspinall Costa Rica Wildlife Foundation Costa Rica, North America $9,500
Amphibian EN Vampire flying frog Vampyrius vampyrus Duong Thi Thuy Le VNUHCM-University of Science Vietnam, Asia $9,000
Reptile CR Campell's alligator lizard Abronia campbelli Monica Torres FUNDESGUA Guatemala, North America $6,000
Reptile CR Antiguan Racer Alsophis antiguae Arica Hill Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) Antigua and Barbuda, North America $13,000
Bird CR Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis Chhote Lal Chowdhary Biodiversity Conservation Center Nepal Nepal, Asia $11,500
Bird EN Serendib scops owl Otus thilohoffmanni Kalya Subasinghe N/A Sri Lanka, Asia $11,000
Bird EN Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus Mohamed Amezian GREPOM/BirdLife Morocco Morocco, Africa $14,300
Mammal CR Chinese Pangolin Manis pentadactyla Sagar Dahal Florida International University Nepal, Asia $5,000
Mammal EN Giant pangolin Smutsia gigantea MVO DENIS CHUO University of Dschang Cameroon, Africa $5,000
Mammal EN West African red colobus Piliocolobus badius temminckii Maria Ferreira da Silva CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Campus de Vairão Guinea-Bissau, Africa $7,000
Mammal CR Preuss’s red colobus Piliocolobus preussi Peter Mbile Korup National Park Cameroon, Africa $12,500
Mammal CR Tricolour langur Presbytis chrysomelas cruciger Filian Basri Irpan Sangga Bumi Lestari Indonesia, Asia $12,500
Mammal EN African savanna elephant Loxodonta africana Anagaw Atickem Addis Ababa University Ethiopia, Africa $12,000
Mammal VU Harrisoni’s Giant Mastiff Bat Otomops harrisoni Peace Iribagiza Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association Rwanda, Africa $7,500
Mammal VU African golden cat Caracal aurata Julius Mutale Embaka Uganda, Africa $6,000
Mammal VU African golden cat Caracal aurata Emmanuel Akampurira Embaka-Saving the African Golden Cat Uganda, Africa $6,000
Mammal VU African golden cat Caracal aurata Kouadio Juslin Hervé KOIGNY Mimea Internationale Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Africa $6,000
Mammal VU Southern tiger cat Leopardus guttulus Leonardo Alcântara Rede Eco-Diversa para Conservação da Biodiversidade Brazil, South America $8,000
Mammal NT Rusty-spotted cat Prionailurus rubiginosus Roshan Babu Adhikari Rusty-spotted Cat Working Group (RSCWG) Nepal, Asia $6,000
Mammal VU African golden cat Caracal aurata Irene Natukunda Embaka-Saving African golden cats Uganda, Africa $6,000
Plant EN Faveiro-da-mata Dimorphandra exaltata Andre Carneiro Muniz Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Brazil, South America $5,000
Plant NE Guamirim-do-bananal Myrceugenia bananalensis Fábio Vieira University of São Paulo Brazil, South America $5,000
Invertebrate CR Gambilusa Linderiella baetica Vázquez Chanivet Iberozoa Spain, Europe $5,000
Fish VU Three-spot seahorse Hippocampus trimaculatus Shalu Kannan Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India India, Asia $4,995
Amphibian CR Bale mountain frog Ericabatrachus baleensis Wondifraw Zelelew Jimma University Ethiopia, Africa $4,990
Reptile CR Egyptian tortoise Testudo kleinmanni Basem Motwaly Nature Conservation Sector Egypt, Africa $5,000
Reptile CR Dermatemys mawii Dermatemys mawii Rodrigo Mazariegos-Herrera N/A Guatemala, North America $20,000
Bird CR White bellied heron Ardea insignis Ugyen Wangchuk Bhutan Tiger Center Bhutan, Asia $4,977
Bird EN Grey-breasted Parakeet Pyrrhura griseipectus Justine Hanson American Bird Conservancy Brazil, South America $16,500
Mammal CR Chinese pangolin Manis pentadactyla Tulshi Suwal Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation Nepal, Asia $5,000
Mammal EN Giant ground pangolin Smutsia gigantea Prince Pascal Agro Alliance for Pangolin Conservation, Ghana (Pangolin-Gh) Ghana, Africa $5,000
Mammal CR Javan slow loris Nycticebus javanicus Anna Nekaris Little Fireface Project Indonesia, Asia $11,715
Mammal NT Asiatic wild ass Equus hemionus Noa Yaffa Kan Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Israel, Asia $12,500
Mammal VU Nordmann's birch mouse Sicista loriger Mikhail Rusin Kyiv Zoo Ukraine, Europe $6,350
Mammal DD Linduan rousette Rousettus linduensis Wahyudi Madia Tadulako Ecology and Conservation (TANGKASI) Indonesia, Asia $5,000
Mammal NT Pampas cat Leopardus garleppi Zoila Vega-Guarderas BioS - Research Center of Biodiversity & Sustainability Peru, South America $6,000
Mammal NT Margay Leopardus weiidi Marvin Vladimir Giron Recinos N/A El Salvador, North America $5,000
Mammal VU Southern tiger cat Leopardus guttulus Vinicius de Morais Pro-Carnivores Institute Brazil, South America $8,000
Mammal VU Northern tiger-cat Leopardus tigrinus oncilla José Daniel Ramírez-Fernández Awá Science & Conservation Costa Rica, North America $10,000
Mammal EN Andean Cat Leopardus jacobita Gabriel Llerena-Reategui Asociación para la Conservación de la Biodiversidad Pro Carnívoros Peru, South America $6,000
Mammal VU Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa Mitra Pandey Clouded Leopard Working Group Nepal, Asia $7,500
Mammal VU Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Rebecca Klein Cheetah Conservation Botswana Botswana, Africa $8,635
MBZ Special Focus NE Dung beetle Scarabaeinae Sopha Sin Center for Biodiversity Conservation (CBC), Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) Cambodia, Asia $9,500
Fish CR Ship sturgeon Acipenser nudiventris Tamar Beridze Ilia State University Georgia, Asia $25,000
Fungi EN Golden-gilled Waxy Cap Hygrocybe flavifolia Gabriela D'Elia Fungal Diversity Survey (FUNDIS) United States, North America $9,000
Plant EN Black oak Trigonobalanus excelsa Jorge Andres Ramirez Correa Semilero de Investigación en Silvicultura Aplicada - Universidad del Cauca Colombia, South America $12,000
Plant CR Senegalia pseudonigrescens Senegalia pseudonigrescens Befkadu Mewded Habtamu Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Ethiopia, Africa $10,000
Plant CR Echinospartum algibicum Echinospartum algibicum Victor Jimenez Asociación Medioambiental O-Live Spain, Europe $10,000
Invertebrate EN Amami burrow mite Walchia pentalagi Mackenzie Kwak Hokkaido University Japan, Asia $5,000
Invertebrate CR Peacock Parachute Spider Poecilotheria metallica Sanjay Molur Zoo Outreach Organisation India, Asia $12,000
Fish CR Catfish Heptapterus carmelitanorum Felipe Ottoni Federal University of Maranhão Brazil, South America $8,478
Amphibian CR Jambato de Cuenca Atelopus bomolochos Laura Edelmira Lojano Guapacasa Fundación Cordillera Tropical Ecuador, South America $10,000
Amphibian CR Nganha Night Frog Astylosternus nganhanus Geraud Canis Tasse Taboue Environment and Communities Care Front Cameroon, Africa $14,750
Amphibian CR Rowley’s Litter Toad Leptobrachella rowleyae Anh Van Pham Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science, Vietnam National University Vietnam, Asia $9,750
Amphibian CR Paghman Mountain Salamander Afghanodon mustersi Mohammad Hassan Jafari Baghlan university Afghanistan, Asia $5,000
Reptile CR Orinoco crocodile Crocodylus intermedius Alvaro Velasco Venezuela Crocodile Specialist Group (GECV) and FUDECI (Foundation of the National Academy of Physic Venezuela, South America $7,000
Reptile CR Pancake tortoise Malacochersus tornieri Dominic Maringa Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Kenya, Africa $15,000
Bird CR Grenada Dove Leptotilla wellsi Lisa Sorenson BirdsCaribbean Grenada, North America $12,000
Bird CR Blue-eyed Ground-dove Columbina cyanopis Edson Ribeiro SAVE Brasil Brazil, South America $12,000
Bird CR White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi Girma Mengesha Wildlife Conservation Team Charity Organization (WCTCO) Ethiopia, Africa $6,000
Bird CR Red-fronted Macaw Ara rubrogenys Tjalle Boorsma Asociación Armonia Bolivia, South America $8,000
Mammal EN Western Hoolock gibbon Hoolock hoolock Jihosuo Biswas Conservation Himalayas India, Asia $12,500
Mammal DD Bicolored Banded Langur Presbytis bicolor Ahmad Mursyid MABBI Indonesia, Asia $5,000
Mammal EN White-bellied pangolin Phataginus tricuspis GBONGBOUI Comlan Centre d'Action pour la Protection de l'Environnement et la Santé Benin, Africa $10,000
Mammal CR Malabar Civet Viverra civettina Divyadharshini Shanthakrishnan Czech University of Life sciences Prague (CZU) India, Asia $7,800
Mammal CR San Quintín Kangaroo Rat Dipodomys gravipes Fernando Gavito Terra Peninsular, A.C. Mexico, North America $8,500
Plant CR Begonia montis-elephantis Begonia montis-elephantis Eric NGANSOP TCHATCHOUANG National Herbarium of Cameroon-IRAD Cameroon, Africa $4,410
Invertebrate CR Pachychilidae snail Tylomelania zeamais Muhammad Iqram Tapak Diversitas Hayati Nusantara (TARSIUS) Indonesia, Asia $4,983
Invertebrate NE Phoxocephalopsis ruffoi Phoxocephalopsis ruffoi Giovanna Reis N/A Brazil, South America $5,000
Invertebrate CR Rameshwaram parachute spider Poecilotheria hanumavilasumica Mathew Joseph Division of Arachnology, Sacred Heart College, Kochi, Kerala India, Asia $5,000
Fish CR Madagascar Blind fish Typhleotris pauliani Sama Zefania Institute of higher education Madagascar, Africa $9,313
Fish NE Tucacas killifish Austrofundulus leohoignei Douglas Rodríguez Olarte Regional Fish Collection. Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado. UCLA Venezuela, South America $4,990
Fish NE Pachypanchax sp. Pachypanchax sp. Mendrika Nina RAZAFINDRAIBE N/A Madagascar, Africa $7,660
Fish CR Scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini Julio Sánchez Blue World Foundation Guatemala, North America $5,000
Reptile CR Three stripped roofed turtle Batagur dhongoka Rajeev Chauhan Society for Conservation of Nature (SCoN) India, Asia $5,000
Reptile DD African Turtles & Tortoises Testudines Tomas Diagne African Chelonian Institute Senegal, Africa $9,000
Bird CR Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps Rakesh Kalva Wildlife Research & Conservation Society India, Asia $5,000
Mammal CR Black Rhino Diceros bicornis michaeli Laura Jowell Zoological Society of London Kenya, Africa $10,000
Mammal EN Mountain anoa Bubalus quarlesi Anggra Alfian Yayasan Aksi Konservasi Celebica / Celebica Conservation Action Indonesia, Asia $9,000
Mammal EN red capped mangabey Cercocebus torquatus IBRAHIM NWUKI University of Dschang Cameroon, Africa $6,000
Mammal EN Mountain anoa Bubalus quarlesi Dirham Dirham Tangkasi Indonesia, Asia $6,000
Mammal EN Cuban Solenodon Atopogale cubana Margarita Sánchez Losada Centro Oriental de Ecosistemas y Biodiversidad (BIOECO) Cuba, North America $5,000
Mammal NT Pampas cat Leopardus colocola Patricio Muñoz Peña Fundación Con Garra - Conservación de Felinos Nativos Chile, South America $8,500
Mammal VU Güiña Leopardus guigna Melanie Kaiser Fundación Con Garra - Conservación de Felinos Nativos Chile, South America $8,500
Mammal NT Asiatic golden cat Catopuma temminckii Gyajo Lama Bhote Clouded Leopard Working Group Nepal, Asia $7,500
Mammal VU guigna Leopardus guigna Carolina Susana Ugarte N/A Chile, South America $5,983
Mammal VU Güiña Leopardus guigna Christofer Olea Colocolo Project Chile, South America $5,000
Mammal VU Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa Dikpal Krishna Karmacharya Clouded Leopard Working Group (CLWG) Nepal, Asia $5,900
Mammal VU African Golden Cat Caracal aurata Elie SINAYITUTSE NATURE RWANDA Rwanda, Africa $5,000
Fungi NE Big Puma Fungus Austroomphaliaster nahuelbutensis Daniela Torres Fundación Fungi Chile, South America $10,000
Plant CR Extinct Belly-Flower Gasteranthus extinctus Dawson White Harvard University Ecuador, South America $12,000
Plant EN Black cinnamon Ocotea catharinensis Neil Brummitt Natural History Museum Brazil, South America $10,000
Plant DD Living Stone Lithops gracilidelineata Sebastian Hatt Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Namibia, Africa $7,500
Plant EN Trichoscypha hallei Trichoscypha hallei Tchomcheni Aude Jolie Green Connexion Cameroon, Africa $10,000
Invertebrate NE Anarchita aptera Anarchita aptera  Dhaneesh Bhaskar IUCN SSC Grasshopper Specialist Group India, Asia $12,000
Invertebrate NE Fairy shrimp Streptocephalus manyarensis Yusuph Aron Kafula Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere University of Agriculture and Technology Tanzania, Africa $12,500
Fish CR Corfu valencia Valencia letourneuxi Kastriot Korro Agricultural University of Tirana Greece, Europe $8,900
Fish CR Wayanad Mahseer Neolissochilus wynaadensis Anoop V K Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies India, Asia $10,720
Invertebrate EN Eastman’s Cape Stag Beetle Colophon eastmani Johan du Plessis Endangered Wildlife Trust South Africa, Africa $24,081
Amphibian CR Sette Fratelli Cave Salamander Speleomantes sarrabusensis Leonardo Vignoli Department of Sciences - University Roma Tre Italy, Europe $14,500
Reptile CR Utila Spiny-tailed Iguana Ctenosaura bakeri Tom Brown NGO Kanahau Wildlife Conservation Organization Honduras, North America $12,500
Reptile CR Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle Rafetus swinhoei Pearson McGovern Turtle Sanctuary Conservation Center Vietnam, Asia $10,000
Bird EN Black-fronted Piping-guan Pipile jacutinga Alecsandra Tassoni SAVE Brasil Brazil, South America $16,640
Mammal EN Ashy Red Colobus Piliocolobus tephrosceles Michael Stern New Nature Foundation Uganda, Africa $15,000
Mammal CR Delacour’s langur Trachypithecus delacouri Bui Tung Center for Nature Conservation and Development Vietnam, Asia $13,500
Invertebrate NE Arasbaran Anomalous Blue Polyommatus arasbarani Karen Aghababyan BirdLinks Armenia NGO Armenia, Asia $3,680
Invertebrate NE Katydid Macroscirtus kekeunoui Simeu Noutchom Alain University of Yaounde 1 Cameroon, Africa $3,978
Fish CR Tamazulapan Tetra Astynax salvatoris Topiltzin Contreras Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos Mexico, North America $6,500
Amphibian CR Harlequin Frog of Niquitao Atelopus chrysocorallus Enrique La Marca REVA Conservation Center Venezuela, South America $5,000
Reptile EN Black cheek lizard Calotes nigrilabris Yohan Weerasuriya Federation of Environmental Organizations Sri Lanka, Asia $4,950
Reptile CR Hoshell´s Forest Racer snake Dendrophidion boshelli Julián Rojas Morales Universidad de Caldas Colombia, South America $4,550
Reptile CR Big-headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum Mark Herse King Mongkut's University of Science and Technology Thonburi Thailand, Asia $8,813
Reptile NT Black Spiny Necked Turtle Acanthochelys spixii Vivian Páez IUCN/SSC Red-List coordinator TFTSG Colombia, South America $5,000
Bird CR Alagoas Antwren Myrmotherula snowi Justine Hanson American Bird Conservancy Brazil, South America $21,460
Bird CR Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis blandini Philipp Wagner Westfälischer Zoologischer Garten GmbH / Allwetterzoo Cambodia, Asia $19,900
Mammal NT Marbled cat Pardofelis marmorata Sonam Tashi Lama Clouded Leopard Working Group Nepal, Asia $5,000
Mammal VU African Golden Cat Caracal aurata Pettoy Kamara Forestry Division, Ministry of the Environment Sierra Leone, Africa $5,000
Mammal VU African golden cat Caracal aurata Cyrus Langat N/A Kenya, Africa $4,837
Mammal VU African golden cat Caracal aurata Isaac Twinomuhangi Embaka-Saving the African Golden Cat Uganda, Africa $5,000
Mammal EN Tiger Panthera tigris Aswin KS College of Natural Resources Bhutan, Asia $3,998
Mammal VU Clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa Purna Bahadur Ale Clouded Leopard Working Group Nepal, Asia $7,500
TypeIUCN     

Project Management

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund’s project management portfolio provides guidance for managing any type of conservation project on behalf of a caring Corporate with philanthropic interests. These large-scale projects are often longer in duration and require a more hands-on approach.

Mubadala Investment Partner Project

Mubadala sponsored projects

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund is implementing a three-year commitment with Mubadala, an Abu Dhabi owned sovereign wealth fund, to support conservation globally.  The geographical area was vast and included Colombia, Thailand, Guinea, Indonesia and Canada with projects ranging from species conservation, seagrass & coral restoration, habitat restoration and environmental education.

The loss of wild species and their habitats has severe consequences, disrupting the natural functions that sustain life, fulfill essential needs for people and economies, provide aesthetic values, and shape cultural identities that have developed over centuries.  The root cause of this problem lies in the pursuit of growth, bound by the finite nature of our planet.

Species conservation encounters multiple challenges, ranging from a lack of data to loss of habitat.

By partnering with the MBZF, Mubadala not only addressed these challenges head-on, but also committed to making a positive impact on both biodiversity and the well-being of the community in global biodiversity hotspots. Together with MBZF collaborators we initiated local solutions to global problems.

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Project Management

Large Project Stories 2023

Large projects Canada 2023

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Habitat restoration for the conservation of the Canadian Greater sage-grouse

Large Projects in Colombia 2023

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Safeguarding Colombia's Biodiversity Sanctuary

Large projects Guinea 2023

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Protecting Our Waters: Safeguarding the African Manatee, Atlantic Humpback Dolphin, and Marine Turtles

Large Projects in Indonesia 2023

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Conserving Indonesia's Treasures: Protecting Wild Cats, Coral Reefs, and Seagrass Ecosystems

Large projects Thailand 2023

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Safeguarding river ecosystems and coastal habitats to protect riverine species and migratory birds

Philanthropy

The MBZ Fund manages a portfolio of Abu Dhabi's philanthropic interests related to species conservation that extends across the world and different species.

Philanthropy

Panthera

The Global Alliance for Wild Cats in an international coalition of the world’s leading environmental philanthropists who share an extraordinary vision to preserve global wildlife habitat and biodiversity by protecting the world’s wild cats.

Panthera, is creating a world where wild cats thrive in healthy, natural and developed landscapes that sustain people and biodiversity. Through cutting-edge scientific research, strategic species recovery, habitat restoration and collaboration with communities and partners, we’re protecting the world’s 40 species of wild cats and helping ensure a future for us all.

In partnership with Panthera, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund on behalf of the Global Alliance for Wild Cats is developing and managing a customized small-grants mechanism, designed to engage with Indigenous organizations to protect biocultural diversity in critical landscapes, and participate actively in the protection of wild cat conservation.

Accomplishments include:

  • Formulating a comprehensive strategy to study and conserve the 33 species of small cats.
  • 6 million square kilometers of habitat prioritized for the protection through the Jaguar Corridor initiative.
  • Seven Counter-Wildlife Crime information hubs around the world.
  • 30,000 PantheraCam camera traps have been set to date.
  • 2,145 children has been taught the importance of jaguars at Panthera’s Jaguar School.
  • Building the Tigers Forever Protocol, which has helped tiger populations rebound in key sites across India and Nepal and is turning the tide against poachers in Southeast Asia.
  • Forging an extraordinary alliance between six Indigenous tribes and state and national government agencies to preserve pumas and bobcats in Washington State.

Our impact can also be measured by the growth of other local wildlife species, the economic opportunities and benefits our projects provide to local communities, the reduction of incidents of crime and wildlife part trafficking in and around protected areas and the number of people who join our movement. Protecting cats provides a host of ecosystem and community benefits, from the maintenance of key watersheds to the creation of ecosystem industry jobs.

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Financials

The financial reporting of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund focuses on the performance of its endowment, as well as the reporting of an independent auditor who ensures compliance with financial standards set by the government of Abu Dhabi.

Financials

Endowment

The endowment

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund’s endowment was established in April 2009 with an initial allocation of $27.5 million and has since been managed to ensure the financial sustainability of its small grants program in perpetuity.

The long-term objective of the endowment, as outlined in its Investment Policy Statement is:

  • to make annual distributions for the benefit of species conservation, in accordance with the MBZ Fund’s spending rule,
  • to preserve the capital in US dollars over a 10-year time horizon; and, to the extent that these two objectives are met,
  • to grow the capital by having financial returns in excess of the distributions made.

The endowment’s capital has increased from $27.5 million at its inception to $29.8 million by the end of 2023, while $21.3 million has been distributed in grants during this period*, successfully achieving all three of its goals.

In Q1-2023, the Fund revised its Investment Policy, aiming for a long-term net return of 4.5%, measured in USD and using a total return approach, on assets over approximately 8-10 years.  The Board considered a risk tolerance of a maximum 15% loss over one year, measured using an Expected Shortfall at a 95% confidence interval.

Since inception, the annualised net performance has been +4.89%, exceeding the target, while the last five years have seen a +6.27% annual return.

The endowment is managed through discretionary mandates by Goldman Sachs (equities, fixed income) and Banque Pictet (private equity, hedge funds), along with two self-directed investments in Core/Core+ real estate (PGIM, Blackstone) and one in hedge funds (Aurum Millenium).

 

* Additional distributions to the benefit of species conservation were made outside of the endowment (directly from donations), to the tune of $4.2m, bringing the total to $25.5m.

Markets and performance in 2023

The year 2023 was marked by significant market events that required careful navigation by investors. The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March triggered major upheaval, leading to dramatic shifts in the bond market. By May, enthusiasm for AI spurred a rally in big tech stocks, while summer brought a bond selloff that briefly pushed the 10-year US Treasury yield above 5%. Geopolitical concerns, particularly following Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, loomed large. However, an impressive rally emerged in late October as declining inflation raised hopes for a soft landing, further supported in December by the US Federal Reserve’s indication of 75 basis points of rate cuts for 2024.

Despite the volatility, most assets performed well in 2023, with the S&P 500 index recording a +26.3% total return, driven by a +107% increase in the “Magnificent Seven” stocks. Bonds returned to positive territory after two years of losses, while European property values struggled due to higher rates. In this context, the MBZF portfolio achieved a +6.23% return, translating to an annualized 6.27% over the past five years, outperforming the average balanced USD portfolio’s +4.77% return.

The “conventional” portfolio managed by Goldman Sachs delivered +12.05%, while the “alternative” portfolio managed by Banque Pictet and MBZF directly yielded +3.08%, reflecting the lag in private asset valuations.

 

* Source: ARC PCI indices, 140 contributing financial institutions across Europe, more than 300’000 portfolios.

Beyond 2023

The Investment Policy Statement (IPS) had been revised during the course of 2022 (and the next revision took place in H1-2024).

An IPS is typically reviewed every three years; however, the review date was advanced due to a significant capital injection from the Presidential Court, consisting of a $40 million donation pledge spread over four years. This substantial increase in the endowment size will enable the SCF to award more grants in the future while also allowing for greater diversification, and thus more resilience, within the endowment portfolio.

Financials

Distribution of funds

In 2023, the Fund distributed a total of $1,637,581 which included a generous $126,813.00 donation from the Small Wild Cat Conservation Foundation (SWCCF) and $11,000.00 from Advisory Board member Bill Konstant. This support enabled the Fund to back a total of 179 projects, including five Chairman’s Awards, across 64 countries. Notably, the average grant size rose from $8,913.92 in 2022 to $10,296.70, largely due to the additional contributions from SWCCF and Bill Konstant.

Distribution of funds by species type
Amphibian
$118,490
Bird
$197,827
Fish
$149,495
Fungi
$44,300
Invertebrate
$171,722
Mammal
$542,378
Plant
$182,910
Reptile
$200,259
Distribution of funds by continent
Africa
$456,655
Antarctica
$0
Asia
$548,126
Europe
$71,309
North America
$122,000
Oceania
$58,930
South America
$380,561
Distribution of Funds by IUCN Red List
Not Evaluated
$83,308
Data Deficient
$54,000
Least Concern
$0
Near Threatened
$39,000
Vulnerable
$73,620
Endangered
$516,003
Critically Endangered
$280,682
Extinct in the Wild
$0
Extinct
$0

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund remains dedicated to fulfilling the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to support species conservation efforts in all their forms across the globe. Inspired by this vision, and the dedication of the many conservationists, researchers and scientists working in the field to assess and protect our most vulnerable flora and fauna, the Fund is committed to preserving the extraordinary biodiversity of Earth for generations to come.

www.speciesconservation.org

Mailing address:

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species
Conservation Fund
P.O. Box 131112
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

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