NEW YORK - October 1, 2006 - Wildlife Trust Alliance scientist, Dr. Raman Sukumar, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2006 International Cosmos Prize. Dr. Sukumar, who serves as chairman of the Center for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, was chosen from more than 40 nominees in recognition for his achievements in the fields of ecology and conservation biology in the Western Ghats of southwestern India. Dr. Sukumar is also the Managing Trustee of the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation based in Bangalore, India.

The Cosmos Prize, presented by the Expo '90 Commemorative Foundation, is awarded annually to honor those whose work exemplifies the Foundation's goal to sustain a "harmonious coexistence of nature and mankind." The award recipient should embody the Foundation's ideals and present a global approach in understanding that the world and all its inhabitants are interdependent. The prize consists of a commendation and a monetary reward of 40 million yen - approximately $340,000 U.S. dollars.

Dr. Sukumar's research into the ecological relationship between humans and elephants and the resolution of conflicts between the two realizes the principles of the Foundation. Dr. Sukumar will formally accept the award at a ceremony in Osaka, Japan held on October 26th. A commemorative lecture will also be held in his honor.

As a leading ecologist, Dr. Sukumar's work has made significant contributions towards Asian elephant ecology and conservation, climate change and habitat protection. Dr. Sukumar has received numerous awards, including a Whitley Gold Award and the TN Khoshoo Memorial Award for conservation. Dr. Sukumar is the first Indian recipient of the Cosmos Award.

Wildlife Trust officially launched the Wildlife Trust Alliance in 2004 to provide a strong, unified voice for local conservation leaders and to serve as a resource for policy makers, fellow scientists, educators and the media. The Wildlife Trust Alliance is fast becoming a "think tank" of intellectual leaders and a global voice for local conservation scientists. Their diverse skills and wisdom lead to scientifically innovative, culturally appropriate and cost-effective solutions to the challenges of protecting ecosystem health in human-dominated landscapes. Wildlife Trust empowers this network of local scientists worldwide, through training and support.

About Wildlife Trust Alliance

The Wildlife Trust Alliance is a growing international network of science based conservation organizations and individual members that share a common focus on understanding the consequences of human activities on biodiversity, ecosystem function and health. The Alliance's innovative understanding and practice of conservation offers expertise to practitioners, policy makers, educators and the media about links between biodiversity loss, wildlife trade, climate change and emerging diseases. To learn more please go to http://www.wildlifetrust.org/wtalliance/.

About Wildlife Trust

Wildlife Trust empowers local conservation scientists worldwide to protect nature and safeguard ecosystem and human health. Wildlife Trust is a conservation science innovator and leverages research expertise through strategic global alliances. Wildlife Trust pioneered the field of Conservation Medicine, a new discipline that addresses the link between ecological disruption of habitats and the effects on wildlife, livestock and human health.

Founded in 1971 by British naturalist and author Gerald Durrell, Wildlife Trust has built its reputation on 35 years of global research, education, training and experience. Research and conservation work in the United States include programs in the metropolitan New York area, Florida and along the coast of the Southeastern U.S.

Internationally, Wildlife Trust trains and supports a network of scientists around the world to save endangered species and their habitats and to protect the health of vital ecosystems. Wildlife Trust created the first egalitarian international network of science-based conservation organizations called the Wildlife Trust Alliance and is a founding partner organization of the Consortium for Conservation Medicine, a unique think-tank of prestigious academic institutions.

Visit www.wildlifetrust.org to read more.

Media Contact:
Anthony Ramos, Wildlife Trust
Director for Marketing & Communications
ramos@wildlifetrust.org
212/380-4469

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