Wildlife Photographer Lesley Wood Spells Out The Impact Of The 'Conservation Nightmare'

WARRINGTON, U.K. - March 19, 2013 - PRLog -- Award-winning wildlife photographer Lesley Wood yesterday revealed how her photographic safaris to Africa, South America and parts of Asia, had brought home the stark reality of the 'conservation nightmare' that is now threatening a growing number of species.

The former research biologist from Stretton near Warrington, said that getting up close and personal with some of the most vulnerable animals in the world, had inspired her to embark on a personal mission to do whatever she could to help protect the most endangered.

“My trips to some of the most famous wild life locations in the world provided me with some unforgettable experiences and an eclectic range of photographs,” recalled Lesley. “However, although the animals were truly wonderful, the landscape was certainly not teeming with them.

“In fact that was something that struck me during my first trip to Africa when I visited Botswana and Zimbabwe. I remember seeing those old black and white wildlife films on TV when the plains seemed filled with herds of buffalo. Groups of elephants would be seen feeding in the distance as a family of giraffes wandered by.

“Well today it is very different. W e have to employ expert guides to locate the animals that we want to capture on film. And that’s because there are now so few of them. The reason is illegal poaching – and it’s a problem which is getting worse.

“On my last trip to Africa I discovered that 67 elephants a day are killed by poachers – that’s 24,000 a year. In Kenya poaching is at its worst for 20 years. Last December a family of nine was killed by poachers and this January another family of 12 was slaughtered.

“According to the experts, if this rate of slaughter continues there will be no African elephants in the wild in 15 years.”

Lesley has only seen a handful of Lions on her visits to Africa – not surprising when you consider there are only an estimated 10 to 15 thousands left in the wild with experts predicting extinction of the species in 15 years.

The outlook is even graver for the tiger, an animal which Lesley has never managed to see in the wild. There are thought to be only 3,000 left in the wild. And the rhino is also at risk with an estimated 668 killed by poachers last year. The current population is thought to be as low as 4,900.

“Massive poaching, the lure of ivory and deforestation have combined to make a devastating impact on our wildlife,” added Lesley. “We need to do act now to ensure future generations can witness the rare beauty of our wildlife.

“We should also remember that the problem doesn’t just lie in Africa. My visit to the Galapagos Islands, where Darwin developed his Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection, is also under threat. Unique species like the legendary giant tortoises and marine iguanas are also at risk.

“Even the Amazon rainforest, which I visited a few years ago, is disappearing at an astonishing rate putting a wide variety of species under threat.

“It’s my experiences of these wonderful places that have convinced me that we all have a duty to do our bit. That’s why I support charities like Elephants for Africa and the World Land Trust.”

Elephants for Africa, which funds conservation activities, receives a donation every time one of Lesley’s African elephant photographs is sold. She is also an active supporter of the World Land Trust and has discussed its work with its patron Sir David Attenborough.

“I also sometimes focus on the subject of conservation at speaking engagements around the country,” added Lesley, a mum of two who has won numerous awards for her work, including being shortlisted for last year’s finals of the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year.

“My visits to Africa made me determined to do something to help conserve the wonderful animals that I photograph. I believe in giving something back – and not just going there to take photographs. My biology background also enables me to understand the challenges to the wildlife, the environment and the fragile balance that exists in these regions."

For further information click onto www.wildearthfineart.com