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But why … bother? Does it really matter if the Yangtze river dolphin, or the kakapo, or the northern white rhino, or any other species live on only in scientists’ notebooks?

Well, yes it does. Every animal and plant is an integral part of its environment: even Komodo dragons have a major role to play in maintaining the ecological stability of their delicate island homes. …. Ironically, it is often not the big and beautiful creatures but the ugly and less dramatic ones which we need most. …

There is one last reason for caring, and I believe that no other is necessary. It is certainly the reason why so many people have devoted their lives to protecting the likes of rhinos, parakeets, kakapos and dolphins. And it is simply this: the world would be a poorer, darker, lonelier place without them.

- Last Chance to See, Douglas Adams & Mark Cawardine

Tonight I watched the first episode of the new Last Chance to See. Sigh.

There was a sudden scurrying and commotion as a Douglasy sort of noise came from upstairs, followed by the arrival downstairs of Douglas’s stepmother. “He says there aren’t any towels in the bathroom and he’s in the bath. Where are the towels?” she asked, and Douglas’s assistant went off with her to locate the linen closet and find Douglas a towel.

I thought, of course. You have to be the kind of person who doesn’t know where his towel is to notice that the people who do are the truly cool people. And I was glad Douglas didn’t.

- Neil Gaiman

Link: In a glorious coming together of much loved things, Stephen Fry has picked up Douglas Adams’ baton and is filming Last Chance to See. That means kakapos on tv!!