Earthwatch make urgent appeal for bird loving volunteers
Earthwatch, the international environmental charity, is urgently appealing for volunteers to continue research in Cameroon in an effort to help save the endangered Rock Fowl.
In Yaoundé, Cameroon, Earthwatch teams are assessing the impact of human activities on the endangered Rock Fowl in order to develop appropriate recommendations for the protection of the species and its habitat. The ground-dwelling grey-necked rock fowl nests exclusively on rock faces, cliffs, and in caves surrounded by dense vegetation. Throughout its range, the rock fowl faces the now-common threats of habitat destruction and human disturbance leaving only 2,500 to 10,000 individuals left, with numbers in sharp decline.
"International volunteers are essential to the project" explains Taku Awa II, Earthwatch Principal Investigator on the project, "the local community welcome the volunteers, and a trusting relationship has been established with a common conservation goal. Anyone who would like to join us in the field will be warmly welcomed. We are not looking for prior experience, just enthusiasm."
The project not only allows for a fascinating insight into this wonderful bird and its habitat, but volunteers will have the rare opportunity to meet with the local communities for singing, dancing, and dining which provides an invaluable cultural experience. Not only this, but volunteers are surrounded by 200+ bird species, making it a bird watchers paradise.
Cameroon's Rock Fowl needs volunteer teams to support them for periods of two weeks throughout the summer. Anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to join the project, and no prior experience is necessary. The project costs just £895 which covers all food, accommodation and training while on the project.
For more information please call Earthwatch on + (0) 1865 318831 or visit http://www.earthwatch.org/.
EDITORS NOTES
Media enquiries:
Zoe Gamble, Press Officer, Earthwatch: Tel: +44 (0)1865 318806 or email: zgamble@earthwatch.org.uk
Ann-Marie Evans, Media Relations Manager, HSBC Holdings plc, Tel: +44 (0) 207 991 0846 or email: ann-marieevans@hsbc.com
Photo credit: ©Doug Peters/EWE