Shortly we hope to launch Arctic safari holidays for general wildlife enthusiasts. However, professional wildlife phototgrapher, Andy Rouse, has just completed the first of 3 trips this summer with Wildlife & Wilderness leading small groups in search of polar bears and other Arctic wildlife around Spitsbergen and the Svalbard archipelago in the high Arctic. On board a small ice-strengthened vessel that can reach locations no other ship can get to ensured the group got some spectacular wildlife encounters both with polar bears, walrus and other wildlife. None of more usual larger ships offer this type of initmate experience but unfortunately all of Andy’s trips for this summer are fully booked, not suprising given that these are probably the best Arctic safari holidays you can find. Some of his initial stunning images can be seen at www.andyrouse.co.uk/blog.

2009 is the Year of the Gorilla, a multi-agency initiative backed by the UN among other parties. It aims to increase awareness of the extreme vulnerabilty of these endangered great apes of Africa and to gain funds to increase conservation and education efforts, particularly in those countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo where the species is most under threat. As you know we work closely with wildlife photographer Andy Rouse who last week spoke at a conference on the Year of the Gorilla and today has launched a signed limited edition print with all profits going to this initiative. The print entitled ‘Generations’  is of three generations of one family of mountain gorillas. To show your support for the gorillas you can purchase this superb print at http://www.printsforprimates.co.uk/.