Recently Rick Passaro, Rainforest Trust’s Asia Conservation Officer, traveled to Myanmar for a field visit with local partner, Friends of Wildlife. During his visit he spoke with U Myint Aung, one of the directors of Friends of Wildlife, about their conservation efforts to protect the Mahamyaing ecosystem.

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[crb_slide image=”https://legacy.rainforesttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Rick-Passaro.jpg” credits=”U Myint Aung (second from left) with Friends of Wildlife team. Photo by Rick Passaro” title=”” text=””]
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Aung, how did you first become involved in conservation?

I grew up on a lake where our family survived off fishing. When I was a kid I saw a lot of conflict between fishermen in our community over diminishing fish in the lake. The experience was a wake-up call to thinking about the importance of conservation.

All of my uncles chipped in for me to go to college to study zoology. I was trained by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and had the opportunity to work with a lot of scientists and other foreign NGOs.

I went on to get my degree and worked with the Forestry Department in Myanmar for 25 years. Eventually, I left because of corruption in the department that made it hard for me to do my job. With the help of partners, we set up Indo-Myanmar Conservation. Later, when it became possible to start up NGOs in Myanmar, we were able to officially register in Myanmar as Friends of Wildlife.

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Tell us about Mahamyaing and what makes this area such an important place for wildlife.

Mahamyaing is a special place. It is one of the last refuges in Myanmar for the Eastern-Hoolock Gibbon, which is Critically Endangered. There are approximately 60 elephants that live here, along with rare species like Clouded Leopards, Pangolins and many bird species.

Growing up, everyone in Myanmar just knew about it for its large trees and big animals. Because it has always had a history of being a unique place, there has been a desire to make it into a reserve. Now, thanks to Rainforest Trust’s support, that is finally becoming a wish come true.

What are some of the greatest threats to conservation in this area? Can you comment more on how you are trying to get local people involved in your conservation efforts?

The greatest challenge to doing conservation here is poverty, lack of jobs, and education of how the forest benefits local people. Hunting is also an issue for some species. However, new procedures are in place with law enforcement to stop this. In the future, we envision local hunters and villagers being recruited as rangers and guides.

We are getting the local community involved in our work through education and training. In fact, we just did surveys together with local people and the Nature Conservation and Wildlife Division in charge of protected areas to learn about the gibbon’s population and range across Mahamyaing.

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[crb_slide image=”https://legacy.rainforesttrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Dennis-Jarvis.png” credits=”Approximately 60 Asian Elephants call Mahamyaing home. Photo by Dennis Jarvis” title=”” text=””]
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What makes you excited about this partnership with Rainforest Trust?

It’s been great for us all to meet Rick and show him the work we are doing in the field. We’re very grateful for the support Rainforest Trust is providing to make our vision of Mahamyaing finally bear fruit. This support is coming at a critical time for wildlife and gives us all hope that conservation efforts in Myanmar can succeed.

Learn more about Rainforest Trust’s conservation efforts with Friends of Wildlife to protect habitat for Asian Elephants, Gibbons and other Southeast Asian wildlife.