COVINGTON, La., March 8, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spot LLC, a leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technology today announced its partnership with international explorers and conservationists Epicocity Project, on their upcoming Elephant Ivory Project, (EIP) expedition. The team aims to identify the locations and types of elephants being poached in the Democratic Republic of Congo while raising global awareness on the growing illegal ivory trade through social media and a feature documentary.
The demand for ivory has increased in recent years, leading to the rising number of elephants being poached. Over the five week expedition, the team will join forces with biology department director Sam Wasser and the Conservation Biology lab at the University of Washington to complete a DNA map of African elephants by collecting samples of elephant scat in the remote Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The DNA map will identify herds that are being targeted and help track illegal ivory trade routes.
SPOT will provide EIP with its satellite-based messaging technology allowing for reliable satellite messaging during the expedition. The EIP team is relying heavily on social media to help raise awareness and education. Equipped with SPOT Satellite GPS Messengers and Delorme PN-60w with SPOT Communicators, the team will be sending custom messages and sharing important location coordinates with others from one of the most remote regions in the world.
"SPOT's unique ability to integrate with Facebook, Twitter, the EIP Blog and SPOT Adventures is an essential component to the project," said EIP leader Trip Jennings. "SPOT technology allows us to update scientists, our supporters, sponsors and loved ones back home on our progress across the Congo."
"SPOT provides the team with essential tools for not only logistics and communication, but also safety," said Katie Schoeben, Director of Marketing, Spot LLC. "During the expedition, the team can utilize SPOT's multiple message features, including the ability to request help from others if needed. We are thrilled to be part of such a worthy cause."
EP Films will produce a documentary film on the international ivory trade with a focus on African elephants and wildlife forensics to be distributed on television and as an independent film project. Material will also be produced for print media and photo exhibitions as well as to create an online and social media campaign to build public and political will for elephant conservation.
Visit www.elephantivoryproject.org to stay informed on the latest EIP news, follow their progress online or make a donation.
About Epicocity Project
The Epicocity Project is a group of renowned adventures and award winging media professionals committed to protecting wild places and wild animals. The EP team descended the highest volume rapids in the world to complete the first successful descent of the Lower Congo Rapids, bringing back data for the USGS and National Geographic. One year later, the EP team produced a documentary which helped bring about monumental conservation success: protecting the Flathead River from open pit coal mining and gas extraction. EP's portfolio includes film documentary work for National Geographic, PBS, Save Our Wild Salmon, the International League of Conservation Photographers and more. For more information about the Epicocity Project, visit http://www.epfilms.tv.
About Spot LLC
Spot LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), provides emergency notification technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. The SPOT product family uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer's location and the Globalstar network to transmit messages and GPS coordinates to others including an international rescue coordination center. Thanks to this affordable, cutting edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how Spot LLC is helping others stay connected - from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure - visit www.findmeSPOT.com. Note that all SPOT products described in this press release are the products of Spot LLC, which is not affiliated in any manner with Spot Image of Toulouse, France or Spot Image Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia.