For Release 9 am GMT May 8, 2008

Wild Wonders of Europe launches the "Great Wild Quest"

Today, the day before Europe Day, the greatest-ever nature communication initiative, rolls into action. 55 of Europe's top nature photographers embark on 90 assignments to 44 countries.
The mission: To reveal the amazing natural heritage of Europe and to inspire a desire to save it.

- It is all about love and passion. We want to touch the emotions of our 700 million fellow Europeans, and to re-connect them with their Natural Heritage. We will celebrate the comeback of Europe's wildlife and the little-known Natura 2000 conservation effort, which has helped this success. We will also spotlight some serious challenges for Europe's biodiversity. Finally, we will provide some answers to the deeper question "What is Europe?"
Staffan Widstrand, Photographer, Sweden
Managing Director, Wild Wonders of Europe

- We fully support this unique initiative. It aims at strengthening our affinity and association with our natural richness and diversity, and at recognising our nature and landscape as part of the defining elements of European identity."
Ladislav Miko
Biodiversity Director of the European Commission

- It is easier to defend something that you know about and that you love. Everyone knows about endangered exotic species, but very few know about the declining species on our doorsteps."
Vincent Munier, WWoE-Photographer, France

Follow news, blogs, galleries, interviews and reports from the photographers: www.wild-wonders.com

Wild Wonders of Europe is made possible through partnerships with high-quality businesses, organisations and public agencies.

Partners & Sponsors: Epson, National Geographic Magazine, WWF-International, Nikon Europe, Bayard Presse, SanDisk, Co+Life, Nature Picture Library, PolarQuest, Noble Caledonia, Conservation International, ILCP, UNEP, EEA, IUCN, The Wild Foundation, Countdown 2010, Eazyfone, Flatanger Kommune Norway, Norway Nature, Wild Taiga Finland, Kuusamo Lapland, VisitFinland, Visión Salvaje, AEFONA, Fotonatura.org, Naturapics.com

Ballintean, May 9th, 2008

Wild Wonders of Europe at the WWF Panda Ball in Monte Carlo
An exhibition and slide-show by Wild Wonders of Europe visually underlined the theme of the Gala evening: 'A Celebration of Europe's Natural Heritage.'

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, to his left Ms. Charlotte Wittstock, to his right Mrs. Suki Leape and Mr. James P. Leape, Director General WWF. Photo: Studio Casagrande

The Panda Ball gala evening is organized by WWF International as an annual fundraising event to raise awareness and support for nature conservation. This year generously sponsored by UEFA and held at the prestigious Salle des Etoiles, Sporting Club Monte-Carlo on 5 April 2008, under the High Patronage and in presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.

The 'Salle des Etoiles' with guests, Sporting Club Monte-Carlo. Photo: Studio Casagrande

Wild Wonders of Europe delivered a top-end, 1.000-image slide show which was shown in the ballroom the entire evening on 5 big screens. Amazing and emotional nature images from all over Europe, taken by nine of the photographers in the Wild Wonders of Europe team: Staffan Widstrand, Peter Cairns, Florian Moellers, Niall Benvie, Milan Radisics, Bence Maté, José B Ruíz, Juan Carlos Muñoz and Stefano Unterthiner.

This fantastic celebration of nature conservation and biodiversity in Europe also included a premium, 20-image, 1,5 x 1 m print exhibition in the foyer, by Peter Cairns, Florian Möllers and Staffan Widstrand.

The joint WWF and EU initiative Natura 2000, which aims to protect and maintain habitats and species of European value and importance, was introduced to the 600 special invitees from the international community who are friends and supporters of WWF's conservation work.

A fundraising tombola and auction were held.
Funds generated by the Panda Ball tombola will contribute to joint projects of The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and WWF.
The auction raised additional funds to support the WWF's vital nature conservation activities focusing on Europe's biodiversity. Amongst the valuable objects sold during the auction was a beautiful large print of a golden eagle by Peter Cairns, which was purchased by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Peter Cairns' photograph of a Golden Eagle

In all, a great illustration of Europe's Natural Heritage through a wonderful combination of the emotional power of fine photography and a strong conservation message.

Click here for more on how you can help the WWF

On a final note please check out this week's Featured photographer Stefano Unterthiner from Italy.

Ballintean, April 10, 2008

Wild Wonders of Europe presents
new partners, new photographers, a new web feature and a new director.

Welcome to those who visit this site for the first time.
And welcome back to you who waited so patiently for this update.
There is good news from Wild Wonders of Europe!
We are delighted to welcome WWF International as an Endorsing Partner of Wild Wonders of Europe. They are also negotiating an investment in a significant number of our top images!
Another strong partner will be the Nature Picture Library, hand-picked to host and market the Wild Wonders of Europe image collection.
Three new photographers were assigned to the team of Wild Wonders for exciting missions in 2008 and 2009.
With Dorothea Schwab we found an experienced and enthousiastic TV/Video director.
Finally, check out our new web feature: the Wild Wonders of Europe Featured Photographer.
Ballintean, March 27, 2008

Wild Wonders of Europe will be launched in May 2008.
Our great QUEST is now on!
The first wave of assignments in June and July will take our incredible team of photographers to Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Austria, Iceland, Cyprus, Luxemburg, Arctic Norway and Slovenia in search for fantastic places and charismatic wildlife.
We are also right now deciding on when and where the launch event is going to be.
There will be lots of exciting news and updates within very soon.
Why not register here to keep in the loop through our newsletter?
We will then keep you well posted.
Ballintean, February 4, 2008