Top journalists from the television channel National Geographic will take part in the upcoming Mara'ee (Fields) Bahrain Animal Production Show (BAPS) 2010.

It also emerged that a competition hosted by BAPS will be launched for the naming of three mascots - a fish, cow and a chicken.

National Geographic will be an integral part of the event's Education Zone, said organisers.

It will consist of a presentation theatre, a gallery displaying images from around the world and a bookstore with signed books from guest speakers and those on local wildlife.

Twice daily presentations will be hosted by award-winning journalist Joel Bourne and top photographer Annie Griffiths.

With a 20-year career, Bourne has reported on a number of controversial issues including oil exploration in Alaska, the global food crisis and more recently the BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast.

Bourne will present The End of Plenty on the global food crisis, Not so Many Fish in the Sea about the problems with over-fishing and Our Thirsty Planet, the quest for fresh water.

Award-winning Griffiths, who has taken photographs in more than 100 countries, will present a retrospective of her career entitled A Camera, Two Kids and a Camel, including stories of her travels through the Middle East.

'I am delighted to be a part of this fabulous show and be able to exhibit some key pieces of my work that I have collated over the years,' she said.

'It will be an honour to present my experiences to the people of Bahrain.'

A question and answer opportunity will be given at the end of each presentation.

Schools, colleges, universities and learning centres are being encouraged to use this unique opportunity as a learning platform.

Located in the heart of the Mara'ee Show, the Education Zone is being sponsored by Kuwait Finance House.

Another competition hosted by BAPS is the naming of the Mara'ee Mascots - a fish, cow and a chicken.

The mascots will be touring the country to promote the event.

Bahrain residents are invited to name the mascots by visiting the Mara'ee website www.agrishow.gov.bh.

The winners of the competition will each receive a Magic Island pass for three hours of unlimited rides, a Mara'ee Activity Back Pack and the book A Camera, Two Kids and a Camel signed by Griffiths.

The competition will close by midnight on November 21 and an official will select the winning Mascot names.

Winners will be announced and the mascots will be officially named on November 23.

BAPS, being held at the Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir, is expected to attract 15,000 visitors of all ages with the free admission, said organisers.

It will feature live animal displays, animal themed games and rides as well as a petting zoo.

The event will also showcase the latest technology being used in the industry and strategies to protect the health of livestock.

Improving the quality of the country's meat and poultry products, ways of developing small agricultural businesses and boosting guidance and awareness in the animal production field are also planned.

An official opening ceremony will take place on November 24 for VIPs, with the show opening to the public from November 25 to 27.-TradeArabia News Service