[Posted on behalf of José Tavares]
São Tomé’s world ranking – 196th. About right, nodded Luis, as we stood in the exuberant crowd watching the São Tomé-Lesotho official qualifier for the next CAN (Africa’s nations cup). It was Sunday, our only day free during the busy stay in São Tomé, and we could not miss the game of the year. Last time the national team played an official game it lost 5-1 at home to Congo Brazzaville. But hopes were high this time, judging by the noise of the happy crowed. And yes, São Tomé won 1-0, the lonely goal scored by penalty after only 2 minutes. Lesotho, 147th in the FIFA world ranking, were beaten. São Tomé scored a rare victory!
It is easy to find São Tomé at the bottom of the world’s rankings. After all, it is the second-smallest African country (the Seychelles being the smallest). It is also the smallest country in the world in terms of population that is not a former British Overseas Territory, a former United States trusteeship, or one of the European microstates. Its GDP per capita is the 192th in the world.
Yet, with one thing São Tomé ranks right up there. Biodiversity. Rare, unique biodiversity. The list is extensive – 135 orchids, 60 endemic land snails, 70 endemic butterflies…and 28 endemic birds (all in an area a little over 1,000 km2). The world-famous Galapagos have only 22 in 8,000 km2, and the well-know Seychelles only 11. A recent paper by some of our own scientists (“Identifying Priority Areas for Conservation: A Global Assessment for Forest-Dependent Birds”) identified the São Tomé forests as the third most important in the world. Everything points to the same fact – this is one of the top global biodiversity hotspots!
This is why we are here. Birdlife Africa has listed São Tomé as one of their priorities for network expansion in the continent, hence the engagement with ABS. The RSPB international species strategy has included three São Tomé species that we must try to save. Because they really need saving.
Principe thrush – current estimates for the global population - 250 birds ; São Tomé grosbeak – 50 birds; São Tomé fiscal – fewer than 50 surviving; São Tomé dwarf ibis – maximum 250 remain. All in all, there were more people in our end of the football stand than the total world population of these 4 species put together.
José Pedro Tavares
PS – for those who like stadium lists, we saw 4 species while the exciting game was on – the endemic (and widespread) São Tomé prinia, both palm and little swift, and a western reef heron flying over the football action.