ARKiveARKive

Robert Canning, Defra, UKRobert Canning, Defra, UK

Introduction to ARKiveIntroduction to ARKive

• ARKive is a non-profit initiative of the Bristol-based ARKive is a non-profit initiative of the Bristol-based Wildscreen Trust, an educational charity working to Wildscreen Trust, an educational charity working to raise conservation awareness by encouraging raise conservation awareness by encouraging excellence in wildlife film-making and related media.excellence in wildlife film-making and related media.

• ARKive provides an online digital library of film, ARKive provides an online digital library of film, photographs and audio recordings of endangered photographs and audio recordings of endangered species. Described as a 21st Century Noah's Ark, species. Described as a 21st Century Noah's Ark, ARKive is leading the virtual conservation effort.ARKive is leading the virtual conservation effort.

• An ongoing process, it offers a centralised source of An ongoing process, it offers a centralised source of material, preserved for future generations.material, preserved for future generations.

• Accessible to all via the Internet.Accessible to all via the Internet.

Continued…Continued…

• Ultimate aim is to compile an audio-visual Ultimate aim is to compile an audio-visual record for the 11,000 animals and plants record for the 11,000 animals and plants threatened with extinction according to the threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List.IUCN Red List.

• In the short-term, ARKive is working on profiles In the short-term, ARKive is working on profiles of approx 500 globally endangered species of approx 500 globally endangered species and 750 British species by the end of 2003. and 750 British species by the end of 2003.

• ARKive is designed so that anyone from school ARKive is designed so that anyone from school children to scientists can use it.children to scientists can use it.

Coral ID GuideCoral ID Guide• Around 2000 coral species are listed on Appendix II of CITES Around 2000 coral species are listed on Appendix II of CITES

and so international trade in these is regulated. Nearly 3000 and so international trade in these is regulated. Nearly 3000 coral species in total are CITES-listed.coral species in total are CITES-listed.

• The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs The UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) funded the development of a coral identification (Defra) funded the development of a coral identification guide as a separate ARKive species chapter.guide as a separate ARKive species chapter.

• The aim of the guide is to:The aim of the guide is to:assist customs officials around the world in assist customs officials around the world in

identifying identifying CITES-listed corals, and CITES-listed corals, and

to inform members of the public of the need to to inform members of the public of the need to conserve conserve coral species and the restrictions on their coral species and the restrictions on their trade.trade.

Introduction to corals pageIntroduction to corals page

And finallyAnd finally• The online coral ID guide was launched on 14 July this The online coral ID guide was launched on 14 July this

year and can be found at year and can be found at www.arkive.orgwww.arkive.org

• This project is a pilot with possible further development This project is a pilot with possible further development to help identify other CITES-listed species.to help identify other CITES-listed species.

• Any comments on the guide or suggestions for other Any comments on the guide or suggestions for other taxa that would benefit from a similar guide should be taxa that would benefit from a similar guide should be sent to the contract manager, Phil Lewis (Defra):sent to the contract manager, Phil Lewis (Defra):

Phil.Lewis@defra.gsi.gov.ukPhil.Lewis@defra.gsi.gov.uk

tel: +44 (0)117 372 8032tel: +44 (0)117 372 8032