Probe International – Press Advisory

April 25, 2001

 Canadian hydro dam threatens Central American wildlife. Some of the world’s leading tropical ecologists and wildlife experts have joined the campaign against a hydro scheme that threatens endangered Central American wildlife.

Toronto — Some world’s leading tropical ecologists wildlife experts have joined campaign against Canadian-backed hydro scheme threatens endangered Central American wildlife.

In letter H. Stanley Marshall, CEO Fortis, Inc., billion-dollar Canadian energy company based St. John’s, Newfoundland, scientists called Fortis plan build Chalillo dam Belize’s Macal River valley “reckless.”

The 18 signatories include Central America’s top wildlife experts, conservation biologists Cornell Stanford universities, well Peter Raven, President American Association Advancement Science, Canada’s David Suzuki.

The letter, dated April 22, warns Mr. Marshall hydro development along upper Macal River would have “significant long lasting” impact on endangered wildlife, including jaguar, spider monkey, scarlet macaw — fewer than 250 which remain Belize — tapir, an ancient relative horse Belize’s national animal.

“This arguably wildest place left Central America,” according Sharon Matola, Director Belize Zoo Tropical Education Center, an expert on scarlet macaw tapir. “Nowhere else you see these species such pristine habitat, unconscionable Canadian company plans flood area.”

The scientists have urged Fortis use “extreme caution” its decision making called more field studies, full disclosure, an independent scientific review project, keeping with last year’s resolution International Union Conservation Nature, which includes 2,400 representatives government conservation organizations.

The scientists criticized Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) — which has agreed pay Canadian consultants quarter million dollars produce “project justification report” dam — saying CIDA’s refusal release project documents “contravenes good scientific practice.”

Fortis — which owns Belize’s electric company utilities Newfoundland, Ontario, Prince Edward Island — has proposed US$30-million Chalillo dam low-cost source electricity Belize its population 250,000.

But critics point independent studies showing dam will lead electricity rate increases Belizeans argue Fortis monopoly Belize stifling economically viable investment alternatives.

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For more information photos Macal River valley CONTACT:

Gráinne Ryder, Probe International, Toronto, Canada

Phone: (416) 964-9223 ext. 228, E-mail: GrainneRyder@nextcity.com

Ari Hershowitz, Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington DC, USA

Phone: (202) 289-2388, E-mail: ahershowitz@nrdc.org

Probe International is a Toronto-based citizens’ group investigating economic environmental effects of Canadian aid companies on developing countries.