No one gets to choose their own name. Once in a while, however, we do get to choose one for someone else. And, if we’re really lucky, we get to choose the name for an entire species.
In recent years, nature conservation non-profits have been selling the opportunity to name new species of plants and animals to the public. With millions of species still to be discovered, the opportunities for fundraising are nearly endless. While clearly a niche market, it’s also a potentially lucrative one, as proven by high-profile auctions that have netted up to R20 million for non-profit organizations. Traditionally, the scientist who discovered a new species would name it, but people like naming things for themselves and it was only a matter of time before the scientific community capitalized on that desire.
In light of this trend, the WWF Table Mountain Fund in collaboration with Strauss & Co auctioneers is giving bidders the chance to buy the naming rights of a new iris species.
The iris, which is as rare and endangered as it is beautiful, was recently discovered near Jacobsbaai on the west coast of South Africa. Sadly, the species, while it has only just been discovered, is already on the brink of extinction.
The west coast is not only a botanical treasure trove, but also a developer’s dream. Resort and urban developments are shooting up wherever there is a free spot and overwhelming the endangered coastline. The area ranks one of the highest in the world for species richness and biological uniqueness, but its natural areas are not formally protected from development. As most of the region’s species are extremely limited, a single development can result in the extinction of an entire species and along with it a part of South Africa’s natural heritage.
In a bid to save the newly discovered iris and the other unique and threatened fynbos species, plant taxonomist Dr John Manning of the South African National Biodiversity Institute has given the naming rights for the iris to the WWF Table Mountain Fund, who have put it up for auction to raise funds for their Fynbos Land Protection Campaign. The online auction will open in December 2010 and close in March 2011, culminating in a private dinner where guests will have the opportunity to fight it out to make the highest bid.
At a time when government funding is on the decrease and threats to biodiversity rapidly increase, there has been widespread debate over whether the sale of naming rights is an acceptable way to raise funds. This novel approach to fundraising has both fascinated the public and raised concerns about the commercialization of science.
This is understandable after the species name of GoldenPalace.com Monkey was sold at a cost of R6.5 million to an online gambling company. The money went to a non-profit organization that maintains Madidi National Park in Bolivia, where the monkey was found. The monkeys appear to not be bothered by the name of their species and no doubt the new irises won’t be either. What is important is that they’re able to thrive in their natural habitat, dot coms and all.
Visit www.straussart.co.za for more information and to participate in the auction.
