FROM THE NETWORK

30 new rainforest orchids discovered by WWF

Gland, Switzerland - A series of expeditions by WWF scientists into previously unexplored areas of tropical rainforest in Papua New Guinea (PNG), has revealed thirty new species of orchid previously unknown to science. The exciting new discoveries were found in the Kikori region surrounding Lake Kutubu, internationally recognized for its biological importance.

"Around 70 species of orchid that used to exist in the forests of neighbouring Indonesia have become extinct because of illegal logging," said WWF forest ecologist, Olo Gebia. "So these recent discoveries are especially good news."

The findings mark the culmination of a long-term WWF study of the species within the Kikori region. The expeditions, which took place between 1998 and 2006, have added significantly to the known floral diversity found on the island of New Guinea. PNG already has more recorded orchid species than any other country in the world.

"The island of New Guinea is an incredible goldmine of orchids," says Wayne Harris, a botanist from Queensland Herbarium and one of the world's leading authorities on orchids. "There are over 3,000 known species found here with countless varieties undoubtedly yet to be discovered."

WWF, together with the Kutubu Joint Venture Partnership, is working towards the long-term conservation of the Kikori region and the amazing diversity of plants and animals that it supports. The region is one of the last areas in PNG that includes such a variety of different forest habitats. Crucially, along with orchid and other plant-life, these remarkable forests are home to some of PNG's most incredible wildlife such as birds of paradise, giant cassowaries, and the enigmatic tree kangaroo.

The announcement comes just a week ahead of the official launch of two new Wildlife Management Areas, protecting significant areas of rainforest where these orchids have been found. The establishment of these Wildlife Management Areas is an important milestone in the programme to strengthen the system of protected areas in PNG.

WWF's work in conserving the Kikori region is also vital to local communities. More than 20,000 people, from twelve different ethnic groups, live in the area and rely on the natural resources of its forests and streams for their subsistence livelihood.

"The discovery of such a large number of new orchid species is incredibly exciting," adds WWF's Olo Gebia. "The sad reality is that many of these plants, including those which may contain cures to some of the world's most deadly diseases, may become extinct before they have even been discovered - this gives even greater urgency to ensuring the long-term conservation of the remarkable Kikori region."

For further information:

Gregg Yan
Media Officer, WWF-Philippines
email: gyan@wwf.org.ph

Lydia Kaia
Communications Officer, WWF-Papua New Guinea
t +675 320 0149,
e lkaia@wwfpacific.org.pg

Soh Koon Chng
Communications Manager, Global Forests Programme
t +41 22 364 9018
m +41 79 409 9788
e skchng@wwfint.org

Moira O'Brien-Malone
WWF International
t +41 22 364 9550
m +41 79 377 7958
e mobrien@wwfint.org.

Editor's notes:

- Interview partners are available for TV, radio and print, to book an interview with Paul Chat, WWF's Conservation Manager in Papua New Guinea, please contact Lydia Kaia, Communications Officer, WWF-Papua New Guinea, t +675 320 0149, e lkaia@wwfpacific.org.pg.
- Photographs are available to accompany this press release. Please contact Soh Koon Chng, Communications Manager, WWF?s Global Forests Programme, t +41 22 364 9018, m +41 79 409 9788, e skchng@wwfint.org or Lydia Kaia, Communications Officer, WWF-Papua New Guinea, t +675 320 0149, e lkaia@wwfpacific.org.pg.
- The Kutubu Joint Venture Partnership is a consortium of companies managing oil and gas fields in the KikoriBasin. WWF has a decade long engagement with the partnership to demonstrate best practice in the oil and gas operations in the area.
- WWF has been working in PNG since 1995. Our work focuses on linking community action, science and effective policy to ensure the protection and sustainable use of forests, freshwater and marine resources across the island of New Guinea.
- In 1993, with the PNG National Executive Council's approval, WWF Kikori River Programme established a model Integrated Conservation and Development Project in a tropical rainforest of 2.3 million hectares in the Southern Highlands and Gulf Provinces of Papua New Guinea.
- WWF carried out orchid surveys in the Kikori Catchment in 1998, 2000 and recently from 27 July to 3 August 2006. From these surveys an Orchid Field Guide will be produced using the data collected.