Conservation campaigner seeks images

ARKive, which promotes wildlife conservation messages through photos, film and sound clips, is asking divers around the world to contribute stills or video of the broadest array of animals.

The group, a not-for-profit initiative of the charity Wildscreen, wants to produce images-based records of all species which are on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species.

Material related to other species is also welcomed.

Those who contribute are assured that their images will be used "as a resource for scientists, conservationists, educators and the general public, and not for commercial purposes".

The contributions, along with descriptions of what they depict and the issues facing the creatures in question, will be loaded for free viewing online.

"Films and photographs... bring every species to life and demonstrate quickly and simply what makes them so special," says ARKive.

Marine contributions, from professional or amateur sources, are "urgently needed to help fill the watery gaps in the rapidly growing library".

TV presenter Kate Humble, a keen diver and campaigner on marine conservation issues, has formulated a celebrity scrapbook on the ARKive website, based on her meetings with animals under water.

"I encourage divers to donate their images to give ARKive the best means possible in their quest to raise awareness for the world's underwater creatures," she says.

To donate or discuss the suitability of images, email the ARKive media research team at arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

ARKive - www.arkive.org
IUCN Red List - www.iucnredlist.org
Wildscreen - www.wildscreen.org.uk