Before the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, research and conservation of the region's amphibian fauna was co-ordsinated by a network of scientists. The use of similar survey methods made it possible to obtain comparable estimates of amphibian populations in different parts of the territory. Since 1991 the system of research and conservation has broken down as a result of political changes and economic crisis. The scientific community has become fragmented and there is a scarcity of funds available for essential research and conservation. There is an urgent need for the adoption and implementation of conservation measures, both within the territory of the former USSR and elsewhere, in order to prevent further declines in threatened amphibian populations. This paper presents a summary of the status of amphibians in the former USSR, the threats they face and recommended measures to protect them.

Selective logging is the predominant method of commercial timber exploitation in South East Asia. Its effects upon mammalian carnivores have seldom been addressed, despite the vulnerability of these animals at the top of many food chains. The authors investigated the effects of logging by comparing the abundance of sympatric civet species, which display feeding strategies ranging from strict carnivory tofrugivory, in primary and selectively logged rainforest in the Malaysian state ofSabah in northern Borneo. All species occurred in disturbed forest, but the overall density of civets in logged forest (6.4 individuals per sq km) was found to be significantly lower than in primary forest (31.5 individuals per sq km). This reflected a marked reduction in the abundance of civets from the predominantly carnivorous subfamilies Viverrinae and Hemigalinae.

In 1994 the authors made two rapid assessments of wildlife in the remote Namcha Barwa region, south-eastern Tibet, China. They conducted interviews, examined and recorded trophies in the possession of local Menba, Luoba and Kangba Tibetans and made opportunistic field observations. Despite the extensive forests in this extremely remote region, wildlife populations appeared to be low except in inaccessible areas along county borders. Frequent reports of tiger predation on cattle, horses and mules in glaciated valleys on the south slope of the Himalayas may indicate a shortage of natural prey. Uncontrolled hunting, human population growth and expedient economic development threaten the survival of large mammals in the region.

The mountain tapir has already disappeared from parts of its range in the high Andes of South America and remaining populations are severely threatened by hunting and habitat destruction. With an estimated population of fewer than 2500 individuals, urgent measures are necessary to secure a future for the species. This paper presents an overview of the species throughout its range as well as some of the main results of the author's studies on tapir ecology. Finally, a plea is made for conservation action in Sangay National Park, which is one of the species's main strongholds.

Some megapode populations have already become extinct in parts of Indonesia because of the increasing human population, improved infrastructure and the abandonment of traditions governing the collection of megapode eggs for human consumption. In other areas megapode eggs are being collected unsustainably, while in more remote areas traditions, and megapode populations, are still intact. The authors examine the ways that traditional egg-collecting methods could be incorporated successfully into megapode conservation projects.

Indonesia, like many other developing countries, is turning to ecotourism in an attempt to integrate the goals of development and nature conservation. Although ecotourism may be a valuable tool for preservation of biodiversity, it can have long-term negative effects on reserves, wildlife and local communities if improperly managed. In this study the authors evaluated ecotourism in the Tangkoko DuaSudara Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, by examining trends in visitor numbers, the tourist experience, the distribution of tourist revenues, and tourist impact on the Sulawesi black macaque Macaca nigra and spectral tarsier Tarsier spectrum. The data collected showed that, although tourism is expanding rapidly, local benefits are not being fully realized, the reserve does not generate enough money to implement management, and primate behaviour is being affected. There is urgent need for a change in legal status of the reserve if ecotourism is to be managed. National park status would accommodate ecotourism planning and development, provide for greater participation by the local community, and allow for increased revenues for management.

In a 4-week field study of the primates of Guinea-Bissau, a 10-day survey was carried out along the Cacine River and in the Cantanhez Forest to collect information about the presence of primates and other mammals. No biological information was available for these areas. The survey revealed the presence of at least seven primate species, four of which are included in the current IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. Of particular interest was the West African chimpanzee Pan troglodytes verus. This was considered to be possibly extinct in Guinea-Bissau, but was found to be locally common. All primate species are particularly vulnerable because of uncontrolled exploitation of the forest, while hunting is responsible for the decline of game species in the area. Other rare species occur in the area and make the Cacine Basin and Cantanhez Forest a priority area for wildlife conservation at national and regional levels.