New video documentary shows logging destruction of rare Spirit bear habitat on the BC central
coast
Raincoast Conservation Society
September 5, 2000
VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Today the
Raincoast Conservation Society releases Island of the Spirit Bear, a video that reveals the hidden destruction of the remote islands on the central coast of British Columbia by
West Fraser Timber, International Forest Products and Western Forest Products.
"The Canadian public and the international market place will be shocked when they view this video and realize that the coastal timber companies have been hiding behind the veil of a public land use process only to continue clear-cutting the central coast." said Ian McAllister of the Raincoast Conservation Society. "The footage in this video is undeniable and will not be viewed without consequences ."
The clearcut logging footage shown in Island of the Spirit Bear was taken during June and July 2000 by the Raincoast Conservation Society . The eight minute video shows massive clearcuts on steep slopes, salmon habitat destruction and permanently destroyed Spirit bear, grizzly bear and wolf habitat. This film is on it's way to CEO's of major corporations throughout North America that buy wood products from International Forest Products and the other companies profiled in this video .
"More letters of support have been written advocating protection of this unique rainforest habitat than any other part of the province, yet it is the current victim of the most destructive clearcut logging that Raincoast has documented in its ten years of coastal work," says Chris Genovali of Raincoast
By far the most environmentally destructive logging that Raincoast documented during the two months was by International Forest Products on Princess Royal Island. This section of the video comes at a very bad time for Interfor considering its current refusal to work out a peaceful solution with environmental groups and its concern over losing more customers of its wood products.
For more information, footage or interviews contact:
Ian McAllister 250. 655. 1229 cell 250.881. 2235
Chris Genovali 250. 655. 1229 cell 250.744.8422