BACKGROUND The IUCN Global Species Programme (GSP) is based at IUCN Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland and provides vital links for the Union and its members to all the IUCN activities that deal with Species conservation issues, including projects and initiatives of the Regional Offices and the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Its co-ordination role is above and beyond the policy development and thematic guidance that it undertakes to assist governments, communities and NGOs alike. The IUCN Global Species Programme, in conjunction with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and partners, are driving the fight to save species for people and nature through many initiatives. The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), a science-based network of more than 10,000 volunteer experts from