QUEST FOR NEW CHINESE SPECIES

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Published on:

2005-08-19

http://i-newswire.com/pr43024.html  

Home > Team of international scientists departs today to discover the unknown in

China's Himalayan region

In the quest to discover new species, a team of international scientists leaves

today on a month-long expedition to explore the undiscovered treasures in the

Mountains of Southwest China, an extension of the great Himalayan mountain

range.

(I-Newswire) - " Expedition Everest: Mission Himalayas " is a scientific and

cultural journey to explore one of the planet's richest and most biologically

diverse regions. The expedition begins today with a month-long exploration in

China where scientists, conservationists, Imagineers from Disney and filmmakers

from Discovery Networks will join renowned biologists, botanists and other

technical experts from Conservation International's ( CI ) Rapid Assessment

Program ( RAP ) as they search for new plant and animal species not yet known to

science.

 

" There is still so much that we don't know about our planet and especially in

this area of China that waits to be discovered and explored, " said Leeanne

Alonso, Ph.D., vice president of field assessment research and monitoring at

Conservation International. " The information we collect during the RAP

expedition will help the region's decision-makers develop plans and strategies

to conserve the diversity of life in this unique region. "

 

Since 1990, RAP scientists have discovered hundreds of new plant and animal

species, and RAP data have contributed to the creation of several national parks

throughout the world.

 

CI's RAP program deploys expert teams of international and host-country

scientists to conduct rapid inventories of the species of animals and plants in

areas that are poorly known but potentially important biodiversity conservation

sites. Taking part in this RAP are Polish scientist Piotr Naskrecki, Ph.D.,

director of the Invertebrate Diversity Initiative at CI and specialist in

orthoptera ( insects ); Rebecca Pradham, a botanist from Bhutan with extensive

knowledge about the plants of the Himalayas; and U.S. scientist Jim Sanderson,

Ph.D., a specialist known for his work in studying small cats using

radio-telemetry technology.

 

Also joining the expedition is Anne Savage, Ph.D., Disney conservation biologist

and Russ Mittermeier, Ph.D., president of Conservation International, both

experts on primates. During their visit to China, they will study the golden

monkey, a threatened species in China. " At Disney's Animal Kingdom, we are

committed to conservation not only inside our park, but in habitats around the

globe, " said Savage.

 

While scientists are following animal tracks and cataloging plants, Disney

Imagineers will be researching local beliefs and myths to enrich the storyline

for Expedition Everest, a massive attraction under development at Disney's

Animal Kingdom in Florida. To further explore new opportunities for linking

culture and environmental protection, Disney will research the legend of the

yeti, a creature whose traditional role as " protector of the sacred " has been

integral to preservation in this region.

 

One of the world's hotspots, the Mountains of Southwest China stretch over

161,500 miles and are the most botanically rich temperate region in the world

with an estimated 12,000 plant species, including 3,500 found nowhere else. The

golden monkey, giant and red pandas are among the threatened species found only

in this hotspot.

 

The biodiversity hotspots are 34 regions worldwide where 75 percent of the

planet's most threatened mammals, birds, and amphibians survive within habitat

covering just 2.3 percent of the Earth's surface ( roughly equivalent to the

combined areas of the five largest U.S. states ). This habitat originally

covered 15.7 percent of the Earth's surface, an area equivalent in size to

Russia and Australia combined. New hotspot analysis shows that an estimated 50

percent of all vascular plants and 42 percent of terrestrial vertebrates exist

only in these 34 hotspots.

 

Results from the expedition will be shared with numerous entities, such as the

Chinese government, environmental organizations and scientists to develop

strategies to protect the unique species of the region. At Disney's Animal

Kingdom in Florida, the findings will be incorporated into the Expedition

Everest attraction, a high-speed adventure that combines a roller coaster-like

thrill with the mysterious legends of the Himalayan region. Expedition Everest

will open in 2006 in the Asia section of the park.

 

Discovery Networks will accompany CI and Disney to document the expedition's

journey, tracking scientists searching for signs of new species, exploring the

Himalayan landscapes and interviewing local officials, scientists and residents

about their experiences and sightings of the region's unusual creatures.

Renowned for compelling, real-world storytelling, Discovery will share these

unique stories with millions of viewers.

 

" Expedition Everest: Mission Himalayas " builds upon a long-time relationship

between CI and Disney to support biodiversity conservation. Since 1995, Disney

Wildlife Conservation Fund ( DWCF ) and the Walt Disney Company Foundation have

contributed to several CI initiatives including a Global Amphibian Assessment,

the protection of Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains, and a conservation project in

Botswana. Additionally, Russell A. Mittermeier, Ph.D., president of CI, is a

member of Disney's Animal Kingdom Advisory Board.

 

The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund supports non-profit conservation

organizations focused on endangered animals and their habitats. The fund will

specifically be involved in this expedition to work with local eastern Himalayan

scientists and students to identify as many specimens as possible.

 

 

###

Conservation International ( CI ) applies innovations in science, economics,

policy and community participation to protect the Earth's richest regions of

plant and animal diversity in the biodiversity hotspots, high-biodiversity

wilderness areas and key marine ecosystems. With headquarters in Washington,

D.C., CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. For more

information about CI, visit www.conservation.org.

 

Walt Disney Imagineering is the unique, creative force behind Walt Disney Parks

and Resorts that imagines, designs and builds all Disney theme parks, resorts,

attractions, cruise ships, real estate developments, and regional entertainment

venues worldwide. Imagineering's unique strength comes from the dynamic global

team of creative and technical professionals building on the Disney legacy of

storytelling to pioneer new forms of entertainment through technical innovation

and creativity.

 

Discovery Communications is the leading global real-world media and

entertainment company. Discovery has grown from its core property, the Discovery

Channel, first launched in the United States in 1985, to current global

operations in more than 160 countries and territories with 1.3 billion

cumulative rs. DCI's over 90 networks of distinctive programming

represent 25 network entertainment brands including TLC, Animal Planet, Travel

Channel, Discovery Health Channel, Discovery Kids, Discovery Times Channel, The

Science Channel, Military Channel, Discovery Home Channel, Discovery en Español,

Discovery Kids En Español, Discovery HD Theater, FitTV, Discovery Travel &

Living ( Viajar y Vivir ), Discovery Home & Health and Discovery Real Time.

DCI's other properties consist of Discovery Education and Discovery Commerce,

which operates 120 Discovery Channel Stores. DCI also distributes BBC America in

the United States. DCI's ownership consists of four shareholders: Discovery

Holding Company ( NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB ), Cox Communications, Inc.,

Advance/Newhouse Communications and John S. Hendricks, the Company's Founder and

Chairman.

 

 

 

 

Contact: Julian Teixeira

j.teixeira

202-912-1454

Conservation International

 

 

 

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Published on:

2005-08-19