From: The Search for Gabons Sacred Rainforest Caves
Interested in collaborating? Sponsoring? Offering Advice? Have Connections
in Gabon? Please contact Trevor Frost (info below)!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Trevor Frost
10238 Radford Mill Terrace
Mechanicsville, VA 23116
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
804-516-3230
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SPONSORED The Search for Gabons Sacred Rainforest
Caves EXPEDITION
Other Sponsors: Africa's Eden (eco-tourism in Gabon & logistical
assistance), EEE Consulting, Inc., Corrections Corporation of America,
National Speleological Society, Trimble GPS, Telestial, Wildlife
Conservation Society, Princeton Tec, Leatherman, Adventure Medical Kits,
SteriPEN, Rite in the Rain, Mountain House, Peak Experiences.
In July 2008, a team of scientists and cave explorers will join National
Geographic grantee Trevor Frost and the Wildlife Conservation Society on a
6-week exploratory caving expedition to Gabon (West Central Africa). In
Gabon, the team will canvas the dense rainforest in search of caves,
archaeological discoveries, and new species. This National Geographic
expedition will aid Gabon in convincing the United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to grant the caves (currently
candidates) full World Heritage Status.
Dense tropical rainforest, flooding rivers, thousands of forest elephants,
bad roads, and Ebola outbreaks all characterize Gabon but they have also
made it one of the most pristine and least explored countries on earth. This
expedition will involve visiting three of Gabons cave areas where the team
will survey, photograph, film, and complete scientific studies in each cave
they encounter. The scientific studies will include paleoclimatic
reconstructions, archaeological investigations, and biodiversity surveys led
by Dr. Lee White of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Dr. Richard
Oslisly of the Institut de Recherche pour le Developpment. With help from
National Geographic, the photos, video, and writing will be used to produce
compelling stories on the adventure that will influence the decision makers
at UNESCO as well as the general public in Gabon and abroad. Expedition
leader Trevor Frost says Every day I find out about something new that will
make this expedition even harder-like cave dwelling bats that carry an Ebola
like virus or that locals consider the caves sacred and one must gain
permission before entering-but after the expedition is over, those hurdles
will make better stories and the whole trip more rewarding.
About the Expedition Members:
Trevor Frost (USA): At the age of 22, Trevor Frost has already graduated
from college and traveled to 30 countries on 5 continents. He has worked as
a field biologist on 3 continents and was recently awarded a prestigious
National Geographic Expeditions Council Grant for this expedition. The idea
for this expedition is his and in addition to leading the expedition he will
also be a photographer.
Dr. Lee White (United Kingdom): Dr. White has worked with the Wildlife
Conservation Society in Gabon for over 20 years. He worked closely with Dr.
Mike Fay and together they were the key players in convincing Gabon to
establish 13 National Parks that protect 11% of Gabons land.
Dr. Richard Oslisly (France): Dr. Oslisly has been exploring caves and
working on archaeological investigations in Gabon for over 30 years. He
worked closely with Dr. Mike Fay in creating the famous Loango National Park
and his work is largely responsible for the caves placement on the UNESCO
candidate list for World Heritage Status.
Kevin Downey (USA): Kevin Downey, the expedition photographer, has been
caving for over 30 years. His photography from caving expeditions has
resulted in more than 300 magazine articles, 12 books, and many specialized
publications. He has worked with National Geographic, Toyota, Smithsonian
and recently BBC to complete books for their famous Planet Earth Series.
Find out more about The Search for Gabons Sacred Rainforest Caves
Expedition by visiting www.conservationthruexploration.com/caves
(website still under construction-will launch shortly)
