Southeast Asia is one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. It is home to three of the world’s 17 mega-diverse nations (Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines) as well as 9 per cent of endemic birds and 11 per cent of endemic mammal species that cannot be found anywhere else. Yet, an increasing number of these species are fast disappearing – there are now more than 270 land or freshwater vertebrate species found in Southeast Asia which have been identified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 
 
As the first regional Center for Species Survival of its kind in Asia, the establishment of the IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival: Southeast Asia will facilitate conservation action in the region. The Center hopes to provide a platform for all conservation practitioners to network, share best practices, as well as seek support as needed, from experts and one another, to amplify the impact of species recovery efforts. 
 
Leveraging the IUCN’s international network and scientific expertise, we will work with the IUCN SSC including other Centre for Species Survival counterparts from around the globe, the IUCN South and East Asia Regional Committee and Office, any IUCN National Committees in the region, IUCN members and other institutions and entities engaged in species conservation efforts in Southeast Asia to understand and further build on the status of assessments, conservation action plans and conservation action efforts for biodiversity across the region. 
 
The IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival: Southeast Asia is proudly hosted by Mandai Nature, a non-profit conservation organisation which aims to advance efforts for nature conservation in Asia, with a focus on protecting threatened species from extinction, protecting and restoring ecosystems and creating benefits for local communities. Mandai Nature delivers impact by supporting local organisations and experts on the ground through funding, development of capacity and skills, and linking local and global agendas. We create solutions, enable and catalyse action and help scale up conservation efforts. 
 
Mandai Nature also hosts the IUCN SSC Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) secretariat, as well as the IUCN SSC Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG) Southeast Asia Resource Centre. We actively support and are members of multiple IUCN SSC specialist groups such as the Asian Songbird Trade Specialist Group, Hornbill Specialist Group, Helmeted Hornbill Working Group, Pangolin Specialist Group and the Conservation Translocation Specialist Group. 

Mandai Nature is the conservation arm of Mandai Wildlife Group which manages Singapore zoological parks including Singapore Zoo, River Wonders, Night Safari and Jurong Bird Park.

Supporting the Species Conservation

Meet our team