WCS’s “State of the Wild” Highlights Imperative of Conservation in Time of War
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WCS issues
third edition of a collection of essays that
identifies the world’s most pressing conservation challenges
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Book includes “Rarest
of the Rare,” a status report of some of our
planet’s most endangered creatures
NEW YORK, NY – February 16, 2010
—War
imperils not only human communities but also the wildlife and natural resources
on which long-term security relies, according to the Wildlife Conservation
Society’s third edition of State of
the Wild: A Global Portrait, a series that identifies the
world’s most pressing conservation challenges.
The 2010-2011 edition includes a special section devoted to
the impact of human conflicts on wildlife and wild places.
“Conservation requires a commitment to saving our
natural wonders in times of war and peace,” said Steve Sanderson,
president and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society. “Conserving
the world’s wildlife and wild places is a part of ensuring long-term
security. The essays in State of the Wild
address this crucial connection.”
The
book’s special section titled “Wildlife Conservation
in a Time of War” includes essays on conservation projects and issues
in Afghanistan, Central and southern Africa, and the world’s marine
ecosystems. It
considers how conservation can contribute to peace-building and
reconstruction
in post-conflict areas.
The book features other essays on emerging diseases by Dr.
William Karesh; the future of forest elephants by Drs. Stephen Blake and Simon
Hedges; ocean conservation by Dr. Claudio Campagna; and the effects of the
global economic recession on conservation by WCS Chair Ward Woods.
Additionally, the 2010-2011 edition includes contributions by
noted environmental writers, such as Callum M. Roberts,
author of The Unnatural History of the Sea; and
Bill Weber, lead author of In the Kingdom of
Gorillas.
Some of the other essays in the 2010-2011—State of the Wild focus on:
- The plight of turtle species in Asia;
- The effects of climate change on migratory birds;
- The difficulties of assigning economic worth to ecosystem
services
- The potential role of religions and faith communities in
helping conservation; and
- Global conservation news highlights in Africa, Asia, Australia, New
Zealand, the Pacific
Islands, Central and South America,
Europe, North America, and in the
world’s oceans.
“The State of the Wild
series provides readers with a timely analysis of the world’s most urgent
conservation issues as well as recent discoveries and highlights, ” said
Dr. Kent Redford, vice president and director of WCS’s Wildlife Institute
and series editor of State of the Wild.
“It promotes innovative, science-based solutions for saving and managing
the world’s wildlife and wild places.”
“This unique publication blends poetic awe for
nature’s beauty with rigorous analysis of the most difficult challenges
conservation faces,” said Luigi Boitani, president for the Society of
Conservation Biology and reviewer of the 2010-2011—State
of the Wild: A Global Portrait. “This stunning book is
informative and inspiring. Every conservationist should read it.”
Books are available at www.wcs.org/stateofthewild
Contact:
Stephen Sautner (1-718-220-3682;
ssautner@wcs.org
)
Max Pulsinelli (1-718-220-5182; mpulsinelli@wcs.org)
The Wildlife Conservation Society saves wildlife and wild
places worldwide. We do so through
science, global conservation, education and the management of the world's
largest system of urban wildlife parks, led by the flagship Bronx Zoo.
Together these activities change attitudes towards nature and help people
imagine wildlife and humans living in harmony. WCS is committed to this
mission because it is essential to the integrity of life on Earth. Visit www.wcs.org.
Special Note to the
Media: If you would like to guide your readers or viewers to a web link
where they can make donations in support of helping save wildlife and wild
places, please direct them to: www.wcs.org/donation