Save the Albatross Appeal

"If their wanderings should cease through man's insensitive hand … it would be as if one's heart had been torn out."

HRH The Prince of Wales. Dunedin, 6th March 2005

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Dear Supporter

These recent words of Prince Charles have underlined to me the importance of Forest and Bird's campaign to Save the Albatross. When I met him in Dunedin in March he was clearly a knowledgeable and passionate advocate for the protection of these magnificent birds.

In 1996, three out of 21 albatross species were threatened with extinction. Today that number has risen to 19 out of 21 species. Because New Zealand is the albatross capital of the world, we have a special responsibility to act to help save them before it's too late.

With your help our campaign gathered more than 100,000 signatures on a Save the Albatross petition last year.

Preventing albatross extinction is simple. The Government can create open-ocean marine reserves where albatrosses feed, and can require commercial fishing boats to use effective and inexpensive ways to reduce the accidental kill of albatrosses.

Please support Forest and Bird's appeal so together we can prevent the extinction of these great ocean wanderers.

Thank you for your generous donation.

Dr Gerry McSweeney, President

"I can only commend the remarkable work being done here by the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, who I know work closely with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in the UK and BirdLife International. You are a true beacon of hope and I do congratulate you on all that you are doing to secure the future of these iconic and magical birds.
Forest and Bird is a true beacon of hope ... and I do congratulate you on all that you are doing to secure the future of these iconic and magical birds." HRH The Prince of Wales. Dunedin, 6th March 2005.

Your donation will enable Forest and Bird to

Promote mandatory methods that prevent commercial fishing boats from killing albatrosses
Undertake a major research project to support a proposal for a national network of open-ocean marine reserves that protect albatrosses at sea, as well as their feeding grounds
Continue our participation in the global campaign to Save the Albatross, including sending a representative to key international albatross conservation meetings this year

Conservation achievements over the past year

Marine reserves established at Fiordland, North Nelson and Stewart Island
Ahuriri Conservation Park established
Increased DOC funding of $24 million over next four years
Native birds protected at five sites by Operation Ark
100,000 Best Fish Guides distributed
New global albatross conservation treaty agreed

Don't delay - please help Forest and Bird Save the Albatross

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