At an event organized by the British Birdwatching Fair at the RSPB’s headquarters this week, it was announced that Viking Optical – a leading UK importer and distributor of high quality optical equipment – will help prevent the extinction of a Critically Endangered bird by becoming a BirdLife Species Champion.

The bird in question – the beautiful and exotically named Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher is found only on La Digue, a remote island in the Indian Ocean and has a tiny population of less than 250 individuals. It is under extreme threat of extinction from habitat loss caused by encroaching urbanization.

By becoming a BirdLife Species Champion Viking Optical will provide significant support to help protect the Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher by contributing financial support to conservation efforts coordinated by BirdLife International – the world’s largest partnership of independent, national nature conservation organizations.

“We’re delighted to become a Species Champion for the Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher and support the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme. We hope that many other champions will step forward soon so that more of the worlds threatened birds might have a secure future” said Tim Strivens, Sales manager of Viking Optical Ltd.

The BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme was launched in August 2007 with the intention of preventing bird extinctions by providing targeted conservation where it is needed most. Already 75 species have been thrown a lifeline and are benefiting from coordinated conservation action and financial support.

The Birdfair are Global Programme Sponsor of the BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme and have supported its development with contributions of more than £750,000 since its launch at Birdfair in August 2007.