Turn for the park

Billionaire-conservationist Ted Turner, founder of media organisation cnn, has thrown his weight behind a plan to turn the demilitarised zone (dmz) dividing the Korean peninsula into a wildlife sanctuary. While the region has long been referred to as an 'involuntary park', Turner may have the influence to convert it into a permanent "Peace Park" wildlife sanctuary. The dmz houses some 320 bird types and 2,900 plant and 70 mammal species.

At the seventh annual international conference of the dmz Forum, a group of international experts pushing for the formation of the eco-sanctuary, Turner pledged a considerable but unspecified amount of money to seed the project. He said North Korea's vice foreign minister had assured him the proposal would get his "consideration". Conference organisers said if North Korea actively commits itself to the project, the Peace Park could be established within three years.