Fanny Lai - Asias Greatest Wildlife Sanctuaries: In Support of BirdLife International

This book is an important testament to why Asias fabulous but threatened biodiversity needs to be cherished and protected [It] will remind policy planners and decision makers of their responsibility to protect these outstanding sites for future generations. Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, writer, photographer and chairperson of the London Bird Club

The beauty and diversity of the wild species and landscapes of some of Asias greatest wildlife sanctuaries are captured by the captivating photographs presented by Fanny and Bjorn. Coupled with the bite-sized tidbits of the animals and their habitats, the readers are in for a visual and educational treat, which will be sure to generate a greater appreciation of the biodiversity in Asia. Dr. Andie Ang, president of the Jane Goodall Institute, Singapore

This book is an extraordinary accomplishment, and an important one. Collected here, and in the previous books of Bjorn Olesen and Fanny Lai, are amongst the finest wildlife photographs not just from Asia, but the world. Journey through these pages, and meet the wonders we still have time to save, so these animals can continue to live in the forest, and not only between the covers of this breathtaking book. William Robichaud, president of the Saola Foundation for Annamite Mountains Conservation

From one of Asias foremost bird experts comes a much-needed curation of the continents top hotspots for wildlife. Yongs passion for birds translates seamlessly to his writing about the geography and the topography of these unique ecosystems, making the readers want to add each of these to their bucket list! Rohan Chakravarty, cartoonist, Green Humour

More than 350 of the highest quality colour photos, showing such a magnificent array of charismatic, rare and flagship species would be a fantastic achievement for any photographer. Combined with its informative and up-to-date text, they will make anyone yearn to visit these Asian countries. Dr. Geoffrey Davison, author of A Naturalists Guide to the Birds of Malaysia and Wild Malaysia: The Wildlife, Scenery, and Biodiversity of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak

Great Argus (Argusianus argus)

Contents

The unusual bony casque and colourful neck skin and wattles of the Northern Cassowary ( Casuarius unappendiculatus ) gives this magnificent species a rather dinosaur-like appearance. Southeast Asias largest flightless birds, the cassowaries of which there are three species, occurs across the lowlands and montane forests of Indonesian New Guinea, including a number of satellite islands.

A Reminder of Asias Wonderful But Fragile Natural Diversity

Home to more than three thousand bird species and countless more mammals, plants, and insects, Asia is truly a continent of superlatives for biodiversity. Many more species, such as our migratory birds, are the shared natural heritage of Asian countriestraversing national boundaries, and therefore connecting peoples and cultures separated by land and sea. Some of our best-loved migratory birds are the Spoon-billed Sandpiper and the Red-crowned Cranespecies that many conservationists along their flyways are working hard to protect, and they rightfully feature strongly in this portfolio of natural wonders and the places where they are found.

In this magnificent tour of Asias most vital protected areas, Fanny Lai and Bjorn Olesen have succeeded in showcasing the continents biological diversity through a selection of images, many from their own travels across Asia, others from leading wildlife photographers. Few other books on this subject have encompassed such a broad geographical spread, which takes us from the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau to the temperate forests of Korea and my own native Japan.

Most importantly, the book brings to light much conservation work in biodiversity-rich landscapes across Asia, many of these Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) identified by BirdLife International, local NGOs and the wider network of scientists and experts around the region. As one travels through Asia, through the lens of Bjorn and others, the importance of conservation efforts on the ground becomes ever more obvious, whether through the management of national parks or through the work of local communities. A lot of these efforts are not immediately apparent, but without them many of the continents most charismatic animals, including a huge suite of far less well-known creatures and plants, would be on the brink of extinction.

Lovers of nature are well aware of the immense threats faced by Asias biodiversity. Every day we read about forests being cleared, peatlands being drained and reclamation eating into the regions wonderful coastal wetlands. The situation for biodiversity across much of Asia is grim and significant effort is required to address these negative trends. That said, it is equally important for us to highlight our successes in preserving biodiversity, and to celebrate the many people involved in driving these successes. It is through the experience gained from these conservation achievements that we can learn how better to protect our vanishing species, and find new inspiration to safeguard wildlife. Fanny and Bjorn have truly, in their travels through Asia, brought these stories to the fore, and I hope this book will motivate its readers to join the struggle to secure the wilderness and species on this wonderful continent.

HIH Princess Takamado
Honorary President of BirdLife International

Why We Wrote This Book

Asia is the largest of all the earths continents. It stretches from below the equator to beyond the Arctic circle. It is a continent of superlatives; home to the highest mountains, some of the hottest deserts and oldest rainforests. One of the most exciting biodiverse regions on the planet, Asia is a perfect starting point for exploring the natural world. Even with more than 300 pages in this publication, it has been a massive call to do justice to the sheer biological diversity in Asia. The selection of the featured wildlife sanctuaries has been another huge challenge; we have never meant for it to be exhaustive, but rather to inspire readers to get out there and visit some of Asias most spectacular wildlife sanctuaries.

This publication encapsulates our travels, spanning more than 20 years of wildlife sojourns in Asia. During this period, nature photography has matured from an exclusive hobby of a few individuals to a formidable tool to advance conservation.

If people have little knowledge of the marvels of nature, how can we expect them to care and support nature conservation? With Asias Greatest Wildlife Sanctuaries, it is our hope that we can convince our readers of the many adventures that await them in Asias protected landscapes. Once people have visited these wildernesses, they will discover how precious wild places are, and realise why we need to continue to protect them.