Another Loss for Nature Protection

Dear CERCA members,

I was saddened to learn this morning about the death of Prince Philipp Duke of Edinburgh, who was a powerful ambassador for nature protection and the environment for most of his life.

As president of the UK Chapter of the World Wildlife Fund from 1961 to 1982, he played a pivotal role in the enhancement and establishment of protected areas in anglo-phone Africa and beyond. I had the privilege to meet the Prince on several occasions on his visits to National Parks and Conservation Areas which I established. I fondly remember one special occasion when we had invited him for the inauguration of the Cross River National Park in Nigeria which I established on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund UK. Everything was well prepared for this event, even a Land Rover with all bells and whistles had been shipped from the UK for the Prince to travel in comfort on the rough roads of the park. As it turned out, however, we had to change the mode of transport on short notice. Instead of using the special edition fancy Land Rover, the President of Nigeria arrived by helicopter, inviting the Prince and myself to join him on the flight to the inauguration site. On our flight, I mentioned to Prince Philipp, that it was a pity he could not travel by road in the well-equipped and specially ordered Land Rover. He jokingly replied that I should be happy about it because I could now exchange my beaten-up vehicle for the Royal Land Rover. I did indeed, by the way, enjoying its comfort for a few more months while surveying another area in Nigeria in search of Lowland Gorillas within their northernmost habitat extension.

I only wish that our precious estuary would enjoy the support of such a powerful ambassador.

Dr. Goetz Schuerholz

Chair CERCA