Papua New Guinea Expedition

[Margaret Cameron <>]

Michael Martin has asked me to post this call for expressions of
interest. I don't believe it constitutes advertising. 

If you are interested, fit, and keen on seeing wonderful birds in almost
vertical terrain in what may be frequent rain,
 please contact Michael.

Mount Bosavi Expedition

As part of the activities to mark Birds Australia?s Centenary in 2001, we
are planning a survey expedition to Mount Bosavi in the Southern
Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. This is a biologically rich and
poorly known area, proposed for national park status at least 15 years
ago .In a review of conservation needs in PNG, Mount Bosavi was listed as
one of six ecologically critical and unique mainland areas. Although
there are still large areas of natural forest in PNG, these are coming
under severe pressure from logging companies and other developers. . If
efforts are not made now to highlight the problem, obtain good baseline
surveys, and assist the local people, then these regions will be
lost.

 Mount Bosavi is a huge extinct volcano which lies south of the main
mountain range. Its isolated position means that it may contain some
further unidentified forms (a new subspecies of Fairy Wren was found
there in 1980). The local people are keen to preserve the biological
integrity of the region - they are being assisted by Greenpeace and the
Environmental Law Centre in PNG. A good avifaunal survey of the region,
and helping to train some of the local people in survey techniques, would
be of great assistance in its long-term conservation. We are planning to
perform such a survey and to publish the results. If we can raise
donations then we hope to have some helicopter support, otherwise the
survey will be undertaken on foot. I will make an initial presurvey visit
in October 2000, and the formal expedition is planned for the first three
weeks of October 2001. While we would like to involve as many Birds
Australia members as possible, it is important to note that all
participants will have to be self-funded.  The estimated cost at
this stage is approximately $4000 per person. All donations and raised
funds will go towards helicopters, the involvement of professionals, and
publication of the results. Participants also need to be willing and able
to cope with extremely steep terrain, rain, and less than luxurious
camping. 

 This promises to be an exciting opportunity to not only see some of
the worlds most beautiful birds but to also participate in what we hope
will become a significant conservation effort. The total number of
participants may have to be restricted for logistical reasons - if you
would like to participate then please register your interest as soon as
possible by contacting

 Dr Michael Martin
 22 Victoria Avenue
 Canterbury
 Victoria
 Australia 3126
 Phone {03} 98365139
 Fax {03} 98365149
 E-mail

Thanks

Margaret Cameron

Margaret Cameron        

Editor, Australian Birding Magazine

PO Box 2013

Geelong, Vic. 3220

Australia

4 Connor Street

East Geelong, Vic. 3219

Australia

Phone   61 3 5229 9792

Fax

    

        

61
3 5229 1520