30 Aug 2007 - Yerevan,
Armenia – Protect leopards while you sleep.
As part of a WWF Armenia campaign to protect
the endangered Caucasian leopard, guests
staying at the Marriott Hotel in Yerevan,
Armenia, are being asked to voluntarily
donate US$1 for every night they stay.
Proceeds from the campaign will go to supporting
anti-poaching units that patrol the leopard’s
natural habitat in southern Armenia. This
will include the purchase of fuel for patrol
cars, binoculars, ranger uniforms, walkie-talkies
and other items necessary to combat illegal
poaching.
The Caucasus leopard (Panthera pardus ciscaucasica)
is the most critically endangered species
in the Caucasus ecoregion. According to
WWF, only about 20 leopards survive in the
Lesser Caucasus and Talish mountains. It
is believed that there are 5–8 leopards
in Armenia.
During the month of September, the hotel
will provide space for a WWF donation box
at the lobby. More information about the
campaign and the leopard will be found in
individual hotel rooms.
Arthur Khoyetsyan, Communications Manager
WWF Armenia
+ More
Baby mountain gorilla birth renews hope
for species
29 Aug 2007 - Conservationists welcomed
the birth of a mountain gorilla in the Democratic
Republic of Congo's Virunga Park, saying
this was an important event following the
recent brutal killings of five mountain
gorillas last month.
"With the help of field work and projects,
gorillas will recover, as witnessed by this
birth," said Marc Languy from WWF's
East Africa Programme.
Investigations continue to look into the
possible motive and identification of the
perpetrators from the July mountain gorilla
shootings.
Kimunya Mugo, Communications Manager
WWF-Eastern Africa Regional Programme Office
