1,000 Wildlife Professionals Expected at Gathering in Durban, South Africa

In an increasingly globalized and populated world, sustainable management of natural resources has never been more challenging—or more critically important. For those individuals who work every day to manage and conserve wildlife and wild lands, these changes means that international collaboration is hardly optional. That’s why the IV International Wildlife Management Congress (IWMC), to be held July 9-12, 2012 in Durban, South Africa, promises to be a stimulating and enlightening event for all who participate.

The Wildlife Society, the premier scientific and educational organization serving wildlife professionals in North America, along with the Wildlife and Environmental Society of South Africa will host this prestigious gathering of wildlife professionalsin partnership with South AfricanNational Parks, and EZEMVELO KZN Wildlife at the Durban International Convention Centre. The Congress expects to attract 1,000 delegates representing countries around the globe to share their specialized knowledge, learn from one another’s experiences, increase awareness of South African conservation challenges and successes, and build lasting partnerships.

According to Paul Krausman, Congress Chair and President-Elect of The Wildlife Society, "South Africa is an ideal venue because of the numerous examples of exemplary practices in wildlife management and the human capacity for building innovations."

Previous International Wildlife Management Congress meetings, held in Costa Rica, Hungary, and New Zealand, have brought together diverse participants including representatives of global organizations, government officials, academics, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and other practitioners of wildlife research and management.

At the upcoming conference—expected to be the biggest yet—attendees will engage with the theme "Cooperative Wildlife Management across Borders: Learning in the Face of Change." Speakers, panels, and technical field trips will touch upon this over-arching idea, delving deeper into issues that include the human dimensions of wildlife management and conservation, recovery of endangered species, trans-border cooperation and conservation, climate change adaptation, habitat restoration and management, and professional development and training.

For more information, please visit the Congress website at www.iwmc2012.org, which is continuing to be updated with additional information on speakers, symposia, educational field trips, and more.

Contact: North America: Darryl Walter, Director of Membership Marketing and Conferences, The Wildlife Society, 301-263-6000, dwalter@wildlife.org

Rest of the World: Mumsie Gumede, Chief Executive Officer, WESSA, +27 (2)33 330 3931 ext 122/123, mumsie@wessa.co.za.