New look for the WLT website and eBulletin

Following feedback from supporters and individuals in the web design industry, the WLT has updated its website for Summer 2003. The new design is intended to be quick loading, and features many new sections (and old sections reorganised). Pete has tested the site on as many computers he can find, but would love to hear any opinions on what you think of the new site design.

Rare Species on WLT reserves: The Imperial snipe Gallinago imperialis

The illustration by Paul Greenfield from "The Birds of Ecuador" by Robert Ridgely and Paul Greenfield

Supporters who help save rainforests with the WLT, are helping to save some of the most endangered animals and plants in the world. The following is some information about The Imperial snipe, from Nigel Simpson in Ecuador.

For almost a century this was one of the world's mystery birds as it was known only from two specimens, the source of which was uncertain. It was first 'discovered' in life in 1967 in the Andes of Peru, and was first found in Ecuador in 1990 by Niels Krabbe, high on Volcan Pichincha, who subsequently located the species at 12 other sites in Ecuador.
It is very retiring in its behaviour, but is noted for its spectacular display flight just before dawn and at dusk, when it flies high in the sky and descends to perch on thick horizontal branches while emitting its strange calls.
It lives in elfin forest at the treeline/paramo border at about 3000-3500 metres altitude in the tropical Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.

Cerro Tapichalaca reserve, this view was taken at dawn, March 2003, from the actual display site of the Imperial Snipe (at about 3000 metres)

These images (more to be found on our website) were taken at Cerro Tapichalaca reserve of Jocotoco Foundation where a substantial population of Imperial Snipe was found during survey work in February 2003, by Niels Krabbe, and his assistant Joanne Heathcote. Despite thick mist, so often encountered in this habitat, they give a vivid impression of the environment in which the bird lives. This special bird can also be encountered (at dawn or dusk) at the Jocotoco Foundation Yanacocha reserve on Volcan Pichincha near Quito.

More information about the snipe, and pictures of the reserve in Ecuador can be found on our website.

New Project announcement

Elephant acres? shares in Elephants? - the World Land Trust will be announcing a new project in India very soon. The project involves helping a local tribe protect their forest, and the wild elephants that live within it by creating a corridor between protected areas. More information will be in the next eBulletin, and on the WLT website. In the meantime, Pete is looking for ideas of how the WLT could raise money for the project on the web. So if you have a catchy, original and novel idea, which would make a great gift please email it over to

More news can be found on our website.

Carbon balance summer flying

Flying abroad this summer? The World Land Trust suggests you have a look at www.carbonbalanced.org - the site includes a calculator which works out how many acres you need to save to help balance the carbon from your flight. With more and more people taking up cheap flight offers, spending just a small part of the cost of your holiday can help save rainforest, which absorbs CO2. If everyone who is flying abroad this summer saved just one acre each, that would be enough to buy and protect many thousands acres of rainforest in Ecuador.

Did you enjoy Life on Earth?

Sir David Attenborough will be launching the World Land Trust memorial appeal for former trustee Christopher Parsons OBE, who sadly died last year. Christopher was a long time supporter of the trust, and 20 years ago was responsible for bringing Life on Earth to our screens. He was the brains behind many other conservation projects, including the new Arkive "digital noah's art" project in Bristol .

The WLT is buying another reserve in Ecuador - which will be managed by our local partners the Jocotoco Foundation, to become a fitting memorial. You can make a donation online, or by calling the WLT office on 01986 874422.