Jane Goodall urges integrated research into conservation

Jane Goodall, renowned British primatologist once referred to as the "Mother Teresa of the simian world," said that governmental and non-governmental ecological research organizations should integrate their efforts.

When visiting the Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute (TESRI, 台灣特有生物研究保育中心) under the Council of Agriculture (農委會) in Nantou County yesterday, Goodall said that even during an economic recession, promoting ecological preservation should not be neglected.

"I hope the [governmental] research institute would offer more assistance to non-governmental organizations in promoting ecological preservation activities," Goodall said.

Yen Jen-te (顏仁德), director of the research institute, showed Goodall videotapes of the reintroduction of the fairy pitta, known in Chinese as the "eight-color bird" (八色鳥). Last year, conservationists successfully opposed a planned gravel extraction project in the bird's native habitat in Yunlin County.

Goodall said she believed Taiwan could create a miracle of ecological preservation just like it did in its economic development. Goodall said that the public's awareness of ecological preservation had dramatically improved over the past six years.

Goodall also expressed her concern over the snail's pace of surveying endemic species in Taiwan.

According to researchers at the institute, they are conducting a comprehensive bio-inventory. The initial inventory is expected to be published within 10 years.

Goodall said that she would act as a bridge to the world by introducing Taiwan's ecological research accomplishments to the international community.

Goodall has contributed to ecological preservation in Taiwan through the Jane Goodall Institute-Taiwan, founded in May, 1998. The institute promotes conservation and animal welfare through Roots & Shoots (根與芽), an educational program designed to raise awareness of caring for the environment, animals and the community.

In December, 1999, Goodall came out against the Pinnan Industrial Complex (濱南工業區) project over concern for the endangered black-faced spoonbills. Conservationists have criticized the project since 1994, when it was presented by petrochemical and steel-making companies the Tuntex Group (東帝士) and Yieh-loong Co (燁隆), for expected negative impacts on coastal areas, including the Chiku Lagoon, where the endangered black-faced spoonbills spend the winter.

After receiving the 2001 Gandhi Peace Prize last month, Goodall began a five-day visit to Taiwan, arriving on Friday. Today, Goodall will give a speech to high school students in Taichung City and receive an honorary Ph.D. from Providence University.