| About us
The Documentation Center for Species Protection
was founded in 1984. We see our main objective in reviewing scientific
documents, specifically applications made by member states for the CITES
CoPs in the form of a brief summary. We see ourselves as an organisation
providing scientifically reviewed documents on endangered species to other
(large) species protection organisations. Thanks to our excellent sources
with regard to a wide range of animal and plant species (aquarium, terrarium
and aviculture associations, hunting, timber trade, succulent and orchid
associations, and the pet trade) we are always well-informed about what
is going on with regard to how species are being used.
However, our team is primarily concerned
with fighting for those species of animals and plants that generally receive
little or no support from other big organisations because they are not
as eye-catching as others. There are many people fighting for tigers,
elephants, whales and marine tortoises, above all because it is easy to
get donations for such animals, whereas hardly anyone fights for frogs,
snakes, succulents or orchids.
Well,
we do!
All permanent members provide their services
on a voluntary basis. Nevertheless, we still need funds. Phones, faxes,
copiers, computers and office material all cost money. The lion's share
of expenses, however, is on conferences of the parties held by CITES (Convention
of International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora),
on travel, hotels, food (all of which on a low budget) and, above all,
on leaflets and information sheets for all delegates at the CITES conferences.
Most of the funds are provided by the SCHMUCK property manager company
and from income as a species protection expert; only a small part of funds
comes from donations. Of course, we are interested in receiving donations,
albeit only from people or companies not wishing to exert any influence
on our activities and only intending to support us, particularly at the
CITES conferences.
Although we have reviewed all applications
for the CITES conferences since 1985, we do have specific interests: all
endangered animals and plants of Madagascar, South America and the Caribbean.
We are particularly involved in the protection of fish, reptiles, amphibians
and primates, as well as succulents and orchids. We also give special
attention to the protection of tropical timber.
Permanent members
Mag.Dr.Werner KAMMEL
Zoologist, manager of a horticulture company, b.1964.
His special fields include amphibians, reptiles, marine mammals and immigrating
animals.
Languages: German (native), very good English, good Spanish.
Austrian representative to the Berne Convention (herpetology), participation
in CoP 9, species protection activist since 1983.
Mag.Dr.Hans-Peter REINTHALER
Zoologist, freelance collaborator of the biology centre of the provincial
museum of Upper Austria, b.1961.
His special fields include amphibians, reptiles, ferns, tropical timber
and general biodiversity issues.
Languages: German (native), perfect Spanish, very good English.
7 years spent in the tropics, studied and taught at the University of
Merida in Venezuela. Species protection activist since 1985.
Astrid SAPOTNIK
Sculptor, art restorer.
General interest in international species protection under CITES.
Assists in designing and layouting D.C.S.P. publications.
Ing.Josef SCHMUCK
Structural engineer, property manager, species protection expert, b.1943.
His special fields include fish, amphibians, reptiles, primates, succulents,
orchids, bromeliads and tropical timber.
Languages: German (native), modest English.
Regional representative of IPPL in Austria, participation in CoP 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Species protection activist since 1968.
Maja SCHMUCK
Office-worker, b.1977.
Her special fields include bears, small mammals and hunting related to
aspects of species protection.
Languages: German (native), very good English, modest French, some Spanish.
Participation in CoP 10 and 11.
Species protection activist since 1986.
Vera SCHMUCK †
Office-worker, b.1943.
Her special fields included amphibians, reptiles, succulents and orchids.
Languages: Slovene (native), perfect German, very good Serbo-Croat, some
French, some English.
Species protection activist since 1968.
Vera passed away on 1/6/2006
Richard WATTS
Manager of Übersetzungsbüro Watts www.translations.at.
General interest in species protection under CITES.
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