Released on = August 21, 2006, 6:16 am

Press Release Author = Jason Anthony

Industry = Environment

Press Release Summary = In a groundbreaking move, The Earth Organization, a South
Africa-based international conservation group, has formally secured an agreement
with the Ugandan Lords Resistance Army rebels aimed at saving the estimated last
four Northern White Rhinos and other key endangered species in their area of
operation.

Press Release Body = Lawrence Anthony, founder of The Earth Organization, has been
in negotiations with the LRA leadership for two days to secure the safety of the
endangered species. The rebels who are currently occupying Garamba national park in
north-eastern DR Congo have issued a formal statement pledging to protect the only
estimated four Rhinos of their sub-species remaining in the world.
"These are the most highly endangered large mammals on earth and if we lose them
they will be the largest mammal since the mammoth to go extinct," said Anthony who
led the negotiations at the LRA base camp outside of the Sudanese provincial capital
of Juba.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures. The LRA, with many highly armed
mobile combatants have already killed 12 game rangers and eight Guatemalan UN
troops in the park and the future of these only remaining rhinos lies in their
hands at the moment," added Anthony. For this reason the rangers have been limited
in their ability to protect the Rhino from the poachers.
On August18, Anthony travelled from Zululand, South Africa, to Juba, south Sudan
and made contact with rebels. "After two days of negotiations with the LRA
leadership, we are pleased to announce that the LRA leader Joseph Kony has issued a
written assurance that; the rebels would act as curators for all endangered species
in the park including not only the Northern White Rhinos, but also the Congo
Giraffe of which it is estimated there were only 40 remaining and the Okapi,"
Anthony said.
The LRA statement, issued and signed by the chairman of delegation to the Juba
peace talks, on the authority of Kony states; "We wish to assure the Game rangers
in Garamba Park that provided they properly identify themselves and not attack us,
we undertake to fully cooperate with them.\" "This statement regarding game rangers
and conservationists is an extension of our unilateral declaration cessation of
hostilities," it adds.
\"The involvement of a conservation organisation in a regional conflict resolution
process is a historical precedent.\" said Anthony, who made a call for conservation
and environmental organizations to be represented at all future talks and
discussions which involve combatants anywhere. The environment and plant and animal
kingdoms also suffer terribly as a result of human conflict and cannot continue to
be marginalised and left without representation.\" added Anthony.

"The Northern White Rhino Project is a chance for man to become intricately involved
in ensuring the survival of a major species of Earth", said Anthony. "Mankind and
the plant and animal kingdoms are utterly dependent, each upon the other, for their
own survival. None Survive Alone. To allow the rampant destruction of Earth's life
forms in conflict situations, and the possible demise of an entire sub species, is
unacceptable and must be halted. The Earth Organization will use this opportunity to
demonstrate what can be done if humans only put their mind to it. Mankind must come
to an understanding of their role in the chain of life on this planet."

Background

The Northern White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) is the most endangered large
mammal on Earth. Previously inhabiting large portions of central Africa, today they
have been reduced to a few individuals in the wild, all situated in Garamba National
Park. Attempts to protect the Rhino from military insurgents and poaching have had
minimal success with the numbers dropping from more than 30 in 2004 to an estimated
4 Rhinos today.
"In 2005 we approached international group BHP Billiton with this project of saving
these Rhinos from extinction, and without hesitation they agreed to back it", said
Earth Organization Executive Director Jason Anthony. "We got further support from
our partner, John Wise. There really was a lot of interest in protecting these
animals, and for that we have been very grateful"
Anthony continued: "We have been working to support the Congolese Institute of
Nature Conservation (ICCN), African Parks Foundation and the IUCN in protecting the
park, but with the LRA occupying Garamba these groups were facing a lot of
difficulties. We decided that we needed to independently get into contact with the
LRA leaders. Their cooperation in the protection of these animals was crucial and,
thankfully, we now have an agreement".

Who is Lawrence Anthony?

Lawrence Anthony, age 55, the founder of The Earth Organization,
[www.earthorganization.org] an international conservation and environmental society
with a strong scientific orientation.
Anthony is a well known conservationist, environmentalist, and African Elephant
expert, perhaps best known for his courageous rescue of the Baghdad Zoo during the
US invasion of Iraq in April 2003, for which he received the Earth day medal at the
United Nations in 2004.

Anthony is the long-standing head of conservation at the Thula Thula Game Reserve in
Zululand South Africa www.thulathula.com.

He is recipient of other awards and recognitions including the Global Nature Fund
international award. He is an international member of the prestigious Explorers Club
of New York.

For more information please Contact;
The Executive Director of The Earth Organisation
Jason Anthony
earthorg@earthorganization.org


Tel +27 31 2665417 or
Mobile +27 83 642 5688




Web Site = http://www.earthorganization.org

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