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World Land Trust Press Releases
Press releases from the World Land Trust, an international conservation organisation working to preserve the world's most biologically important and threatened lands.
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Press releases on this page:
Rainforest in Ecuador Saved by World Land Trust
Is the Burrowing Parrot Endangered?
Elusive Puma Sighted
Rainforest in Ecuador Saved by World Land Trust
Press Release dated: Friday, October 11, 2002
Ecuador is one of the richest countries in the world for biodiversity – with hundreds of species not found anywhere else in the world, and some of those being among the world's rarest species. And like so much of South America, the remaining forests are still being cleared at an alarming rate. Working with the local Fundación Jocotoco, the UK's World Land Trust (WLT) is raising funds to buy patches of the remaining forests, particularly those which are home to rare and endangered birds and other wildlife. These chunks of forest are being connected by wildlife corridors.
This week the WLT has transferred $20,000 to help buy an important forest that will form a corridor between existing protected areas. Funds have come from the Nationwide Building Society, the Rainforest Cafe and members of the public who have 'bought' acres at £25 each. David Gower OBE recently accepted a cheque for £3,575 from the Rainforest Cafe in London as part of an ongoing fundraising campaign to purchase their piece of Ecuador forest.
Online donations, in most currencies (using a credit card through the WLT secure server) can be made to the World Land Trust.
As Christmas approaches, Saving an Acre of Rainforest, and all the species that depend on it, is an ideal present for an environmentally concerned friend or relative. The World Land Trust pioneered 'buy an acre' campaigns, back in 1989, and helped save nearly 300,000 acres in Belize. All WLT projects involve local people, and the aim is for them to become self-sustaining.
For more information visit the Trust's web site: www.worldlandtrust.org or contact John Burton at the World Land Trust 01986 874422 or email at: jab*at*worldlandtrust.org (replace *at* with @ in your email address field)
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Is the Burrowing Parrot Endangered?
Press Release dated: Wednesday, October 09, 2002
The Burrowing Parrot of South America, is a widespread and often very abundant species. So abundant that it is often considered a pest, and shot. But could it be endangered? The Carolina Parakeet of North America was once very abundant, and farmers shot them in their thousands because of the damage they did to agriculture - but suddenly it was realised they were becoming rare. Even though they had been bred in captivity, by 1914 they were totally extinct. Similarly the Passenger Pigeon, once so numerous that its flocks darkened the sky, and migrating flocks were numbered in millions, also died out in 1914. It has been suggested that some species need a critical mass in order to survive: once the numbers drop below a certain level, then the population will spiral to extinction. German scientists studying the world's largest known colony in Viedma in Northern Patagonia with over 6000 nests, have noted a decline in recent years http://www.patagonia-argentina.com/i/content/loros.htm, and they have given a warning that the species may become endangered. Burrowing Parrots once nested in huge colonies, all over Patagonia, but these large colonies are very vulnerable to persecution, and are increasingly rare. It is possible that the smaller colonies are actually kept going by the overspill of the huge colonies and without the latter, then the species will suddenly spiral towards extinction.
While not everyone will agree with this theory, there is little doubt that the burrowing parrot has already disappeared from many parts of its range. It is a very colourful species, and one which the World Land Trust's Patagonian partners - the Fundación Patagonia Natural - are hoping will breed on the Estancia la Esperanza. This 15,000 acre reserve close to the Valdes Peninsula, was recently acquired with funds raised by the WLT, and is already proving a haven for a wide range of bird species. Peregrine Falcons, Eagle Owls, Lesser Rheas, and Crested Tinamous are just a few of the species thriving. Unlike much of the coastal steppe habitat, on the Estancia la Esperanza there are numerous gullies and canyons, which provide ideal habitat for Burrowing Parrots to build their nests. Conservation is not just about saving species teetering on the brink of extinction - it is also about wildlife in its natural abundance. Anyone who has seen the Gannet colonies on Bass Rock, Monarch Butterflies in California, penguin colonies of the Antarctic, or the herds of antelope in the Serengeti, will appreciate that seeing a few survivors in a zoo, is no substitute. For this reason it is imperative that significant areas of natural habitats are conserved in a way that allows wildlife to live alongside people. The World Land Trust has been pioneering this approach for over 10 years: visit www.worldlandtrust.org and help save some Patagonian steppe, for the burrowing parrots, and dozens of other species. The World Land Trust has a video clip with a glimpse of Burrowing Parrots, and other animals on the Estancia.
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Elusive Puma Sighted
Press Release dated: Thursday, October 03, 2002
First sighting of Puma on the Estancia la Esperanza (Ranch of Hopes) in Patagonia The Estancia la Esperanza was acquired by conservationists over two years ago, and although footprints and remains of kills have been frequently encountered, it was not until last week that the first sighting of a puma occurred. Notoriously secretive and elusive, pumas have good reason to be shy as they are almost universally persecuted by the local sheep farmers. On the Estancia la Esperanza they are now protected, and it is thought that the resident pair have reared a single cub. Another exciting recent sighting was of the rare Geoffroy's cat, an attractive spotted cat not much bigger than a domestic cat. The Director of the Fundación Patagonia Natural, José Maria Musmeci, who is in charge of the Estancia, saw an adult cat cross his path, and then heard a kitten mewing behind him. He took a snapshot of the kitten before retreating and leaving it in peace. Only months before the ranch was purchased, a Geoffroy's cat had been found poisoned. Since the Estancia was purchased, crested tinamous (partridge-like birds) are among dozens of species that have benefited from protection - a flock of several hundred can now be seen feeding among the Estancia's horses. In the past they were shy and only seen in ones and twos, because they were hunted. Other species found include Eagle owls, Magellanic Penguins, rheas, maras, burrowing parrots, right whales, killer whales,sea lions, and several hundred guanaco (wild llamas). The original farm buildings are already used for visiting biologists and students, and there are plans to build a visitor centre, as well as long-term plans for accommodation. The 15,000 acre Estancia was purchased with funding from the World Land Trust, who still need to raise over $100,000 to pay of loans taken out to ensure its survival as a nature reserve. But the Estancia costs less than $5000 a month to run - remarkably good value for so much wildlife. For more details of the Estancia, photos of its wildlife, and online donations visit www.worldlandtrust.org or contact the WLT on (44) 1986 874422, for credit card donations by telephone. For further information contact: John Burton 01986 874422, jab*at*worldlandtrust.org (To avoid spam, we cannot show the email address in full. Please replace *at* with the symbol @ in your email address field.)
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Sir David Attenborough, World Land Trust Patron
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