Nikon UK adopt WDCS as chosen charity for 2001/2002 Tuesday September 18, 2001 Nikon UK adopt WDCS as chosen charity for 2001/2002 Nikon have chosen WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, an international charity dedicated to the protection of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) and their environment as its chosen charity for 2001/2002. The charity works on a number of projects in countries throughout the world, including the UK. Nikon first became involved with the charity through providing sponsorship for one such project - Sail to Save. The main tool in the Sail to Save campaign, is an identification guide which aims to inform people of where they can see whales and dolphins in European waters and how they can enjoy watching them without disturbing or harming them. The guide has been mailed to the 75,000 members of the RYA (Royal Yachting Association) in the UK. Now that they have adopted WDCS as their chosen charity, Nikon UK are continuing to support the charity's work by providing funding for Project ECOsse, WDCS's Scottish Wildlife and Education Centre in the Moray Firth. Nikon's support will help to improve facilities at the Centre as well as to protect the resident population of bottlenose dolphins in the Moray Firth. In addition to financial assistance, the support includes gifts in kind ranging from binoculars and cameras to a scanner which is being used to maintain photographic archives and photo ID databases, which are fundamental in being able to recognise individual whales or dolphins. "We are delighted to have this association with WDCS" said John Read, Nikon UK's Finance Director. "They are doing a great deal of good work, not just in the UK, but worldwide, protecting these magnificent creatures and I am happy that we are able to play a small part in this." WDCS's Chief Executive, Chris Stroud, expressed his gratitude, "WDCS is especially pleased to have been selected as Nikon's charity of the year. WDCS believes the values Nikon brings in terms of leadership in product quality and reliability, reflects the leading position WDCS is taking in the conservation of cetaceans worldwide." www.wdcs.org - for further information Ends [Return to Press Office Home Page]