Kerzner (NYSE:KZL)
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Initial Funding to Support the Efforts of The Nature Conservancy,
Bahamas National Trust and Bahamas Sportfishing Conservation
Association to Protect the Waters of Andros Island in The Bahamas
Kerzner International Limited (NYSE:KZL) (the "Company"), which
through its subsidiaries is a leading international developer and
operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotel properties,
today announced a plan to invest more than $5 million over five years
to support Kerzner Marine Foundation ("KMF" or the "Foundation"), a
newly-established, non-profit foundation that seeks to foster the
preservation and enhancement of global marine ecosystems through
scientific research, education and community outreach.
The Foundation's focus is to protect the integrity of tropical
marine ecosystems. The Foundation's priority projects will involve the
development and management of marine protected areas (ocean sites that
enjoy a level of protection similar to U.S. national parks), coral
reef and cetacean conservation and local and global research. The
Foundation will fund programs that will produce specific and
measurable results related to its strategy of preserving marine
habitats.
According to Butch Kerzner, Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, the formation of KMF marks an important step for the
Company's marine conservation initiatives. He explains, "We have long
been aware of the threats facing our oceans, and for many years we
have been dedicated to promoting ocean awareness, conservation and
education to our many guests through development of innovative marine
life exhibits and programs. Our Company has succeeded in bringing more
than five million visitors in contact with over 250 marine species at
Atlantis, Paradise Island, helping them to better understand our
oceans' ecosystems. We felt it was very important to strengthen our
impact on marine conservation by increasing our financial commitment
and supporting significant research projects in this
increasingly-important field."
KMF's first major grant will be made to The Nature Conservancy and
its local partners, Bahamas National Trust and Bahamas Sportfishing
Conservation Association, which together protect the ocean life and
habitat of Andros Island in The Bahamas. The waters surrounding Andros
Island support a rich variety of fish and other marine animals. The
Nature Conservancy plans to work with The Bahamas government to
establish and maintain a marine protected area. KMF's funding of this
project will allow for one of the largest concerted conservation
efforts in history in The Bahamas.
"The pristine waters around Andros Island are a phenomenal natural
treasure for the people of The Bahamas and indeed for the rest of the
world, but they need protection to remain healthy and beautiful," said
Eleanor Phillips, Bahamas Country Program Director for The Nature
Conservancy. "By acting now, with the support of the Kerzner Marine
Foundation, we have a priceless opportunity to make sure everyone can
enjoy and benefit from this treasure for generations to come."
Other areas of geographic focus for KMF include the Caribbean,
Middle East and Southeast Asia. In addition, the Foundation will
promote education and outreach to local communities where the programs
are implemented. Grants will be awarded quarterly from solicited
proposals. More information on the foundation can be found online via
the organization's website, www.kerznermarinefoundation.org.
The Foundation will be overseen by Debra Erickson, Executive
Director of KMF, along with a Board of Directors. Erickson was a
former Executive Director and Conservation Director of Orangutan
Foundation International and the Director of International and
Environmental Communications at Anheuser-Busch Companies. The Board of
Directors will initially be comprised of Howard Karawan, President and
Managing Director of the Destination Resorts segment of Kerzner
International Limited; John Allison, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Kerzner International Limited; Frank Murru,
Chief Marine Officer of Kerzner International Limited; and Dr. Paul
Dayton, one of the world's foremost marine scientists, who will serve
as the Foundation's Vice President and Chair of the Scientific
Advisory Committee ("SAC").
The SAC is an independent body of world-renowned marine scientists
responsible for advising the KMF Board of Directors and Executive
Director and will operate under the leadership of Dr. Dayton,
currently a professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, whose
work focuses on the study of coastal and estuarine habitats as well as
the impact of over-fishing on marine ecosystems. The SAC will meet
four times a year to review Foundation goals, objectives and strategy
to ensure the funding of cutting-edge conservation and research
programs; identify organizations for solicitation of proposals;
provide expert evaluation of project proposals and review of their
scientific, technical, and conservation merit; monitor the progress
and evaluate the achievements of funded programs; advise on the most
productive balance and emphasis of Foundation resources and establish
and maintain partnerships with like-minded organizations.
The two other esteemed SAC members are Dr. Tundi Agardy and Dr.
Terry Done. Dr. Agardy has been involved in marine conservation for
more than 25 years. In her current position as Executive Director of
Sound Seas, she strives to advance marine conservation efforts by
harnessing both science and sociology to protect the oceans. She is
also affiliated with Conservation International, where she was charged
with designing and implementing a Global Marine Program addressing
major threats to marine biodiversity and ecology.
Dr. Agardy is joined by Dr. Terry Done, who has been conducting
coral reef ecology research for more than 29 years. He completed the
first descriptive work on patterns of zonation in coral communities
and established long-term ecological studies that have continued to
the present. As a Senior Principal Research Scientist at the
Australian Institute of Marine Science and Program Leader for the
Cooperative Research Center for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage
Area, "Reef Futures," Dr. Done works to raise the level of
understanding of coral reef ecology so as to lead to policies and
management practices that benefit both coral reefs and the people that
depend on them.
About The Company
Kerzner International Limited (NYSE:KZL), through its
subsidiaries, is a leading international developer and operator of
destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotels. The Company's flagship
brand is Atlantis, which includes Atlantis, Paradise Island, a
2,317-room, ocean-themed destination resort located on Paradise
Island, The Bahamas - a unique property featuring three interconnected
hotel towers built around a 7-acre lagoon and a 34-acre marine
environment that includes the world's largest open-air marine habitat.
The resort is also home to the largest casino in the Caribbean. The
Company recently commenced development of a major expansion that
includes a 600-room all-suite luxury hotel and a significant
enhancement of Atlantis water-based attractions. Certain parts of this
expansion have already opened, including Marina Village at Atlantis,
with the remaining elements expected to open by early 2007. The
Company is extending its Atlantis brand globally with the development
of Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, an approximately 2,000-room,
water-themed resort expected to open in 2008, currently being
constructed on The Palm, Jumeirah, a multi-billion dollar leisure and
residential development in Dubai. In its gaming segment, the Company
developed and receives certain income derived from Mohegan Sun in
Uncasville, Connecticut, which has become one of the premier casino
destinations in the United States. The Company is also a 37.5% owner
of BLB Investors, L.L.C., which owns Lincoln Park in Rhode Island and
pari-mutuel racing facilities in Colorado. In the U.K., the Company is
currently developing a casino in Northampton and received a
Certificate of Consent from the U.K. Gaming Board in 2004. In its
luxury resort hotel business, the Company manages ten resort hotels
primarily under the One&Only brand. The resorts, featuring some of the
top-rated properties in the world, are located in The Bahamas, Mexico,
Mauritius, the Maldives and Dubai. An additional One&Only property is
currently in the planning stages in South Africa. For more information
concerning the Company and its operating subsidiaries, visit
www.kerzner.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties which are described in the Company's
public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor inquiries regarding the Company should be directed to
Omar Palacios at+1.242.363.6018. Media inquiries should be directed to
Lauren Snyder at +1.242.363.6018.