May 2012: The May issue of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) E-Bulletin highlights: the award of the Equator Prize to an IUCN-supported project; a meeting on sawfishes convened by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group; and the draft Guidelines on Trophy Hunting.The E-Bulletin notes that Rodrigo Medellín, co-chair of the IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group, was awarded the 2012 Whitley Gold Award in recognition of his conservation efforts to protect bats and other animals, including jaguars in Mexico.

It also highlights that a project developed between IUCN, TRAFFIC and WWF as part of the EU-China Biodiversity Programme (ECBP) to promote the sustainable harvesting of wild medicinal plants has been awarded the Equator Prize 2012. The initiative provides training in the implementation of organic wild crop harvesting principles and certification procedures, as well as application of the FairWild Standard principle.

The E-Bulletin notes that shark and ray experts gathered at the Zoological Society of London to address conservation of the sawfishes. The meeting was convened by the IUCN SSC Shark Specialist Group to develop a global action plan to address threats to this species.

Finally, it reports that the “Guiding Principles on Trophy Hunting as a Tool for Creating Conservation Incentives,” a document originated from discussions between the SSC Caprinae Specialist Group and others, has received further input from SSC members. Inputs on the draft document are still welcomed until 22 June 2012. [Publication: IUCN SSC Species E-Bulletin, May Issue]