ZSL Launches Wildlife Wood

Leading representatives from the timber and construction industry, and environmental groups have attended the official launch of the ground-breaking Wildlife Wood research project, run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and sponsored by Timbmet Silverman.

Launched at London Zoo on 22 November, the project aims to scientifically monitor the impact of logging practices on the bushmeat trade in West & Central Africa.

Dr Glyn Davies, Director of Conservation Programmes at ZSL, provided guests with an insight into the Wildlife Wood research programme, whilst CEO of Timbmet Silverman Simon Fineman explained why the company had provided the seed-corn funding for the project and encouraged others to get involved. Ghassan Bitar, Managing Director of two of the concessions in Ghana where the research is being undertaken, addressed the reception on their local interests.

Amongst the guests at the launch were leading environment-focused architects, bush researchers, key ZSL members and leading environmental consultants and lobbyists.

The Wildlife Wood project aims to monitor the effect that logging crews and new roadways have on local wildlife. It is feared that by opening up access to forested areas, poachers are able to hunt for bushmeat to trade at town markets or export overseas, depriving indigenous populations of food and affecting the area’s biodiversity.

The long-term hope is that recommendations will be developed as result of the research project, that can be incorporated into forest certification schemes to promote better forest management in terms of biodiversity as well as renewability.

More information on Wildlife Wood and how to become a corporate sponsor can be found at www.zsl.org

Article date: 12-12-2006