Cape St. Mary�s Interpretation Centre officially named

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is pleased to announce that the Interpretation Centre Building at the Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve has been officially named the Dr. Leslie M. Tulk Centre.

"Dr. Tulk was a pioneer in the marine ornithology of Newfoundland and an internationally recognized authority on birds of the North Atlantic and therefore, it is very appropriate that we name the interpretation centre in his honour," said Furey. "The Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve was originally established as a seabird sanctuary back in 1964, and Dr. Leslie Tulk was instrumental in having this important seabird site and several others in the province protected."

The Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve is an internationally significant seabird colony, as it is the fourth largest, and arguably the most accessible, gannet colony in North America. It is also the southernmost site for gannets and thick-billed murres in the world and an extremely important overwintering site for the endangered Harlequin duck. The unique experience that the cape has to offer is internationally known, as ever growing numbers of people are visiting the area to seek the magnificent opportunity it offers in which to observe and experience seabirds without having an adverse impact on them.

The ceremony to officially name the interpretation centre took place at the Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve and included representatives from the federal and provincial governments, area mayors, and several individuals taking part in the Living on the Edge - Birds 2000 conference being held in St. John�s this week.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2000 08 17 2:45 p.m.