Extinct EX/ Extinct in the Wild EW/ Critically Endangered CR/ Endangered EN/ Vulnerable VU /Conservation Dependent CD/ Near Threatened NT/ IUCN Red List categories
Every species is precious. The scale of loss happening can feel overwhelming. But quietly, steadfastly, and selflessly, people are taking matters into their own hands.
The Raincoast Conservation Foundation established an ingenious initiative of purchasing trophy hunting licenses/tenures in the Great Bear Rainforest - preventing hunters from buying them first - and in turn using those licenses and tenures for eco-tourism purposes. “We buy the rights to guide people to shoot wildlife – and our clients choose not to shoot the wildlife.” Raincoast now controls the commercial hunting rights in six tenures, more than 56,000km2 of the BC coast – an area larger than the country of Belgium. Through the acquisition of the tenures, they own the commercial hunting rights in perpetuity, thus protecting all coastal carnivores that would be otherwise subject to trophy hunting. They do so much more too! Learn and support here: raincoast.org/trophy-hunt/ (photo credit Lynn Sambol)
Wild is Life in Zimbabwe, is a shining jewel of wildlife conservation and compassion founded by the formidable Roxy Danckwerts in 1998. What began as a small private rescue center on her property outside Harare gradually expanded over the years into the comprehensive wildlife rehabilitation facility it is today. They sanctuary primarily rescues, rehabilitates and releases orphaned and injured elephants back into their natural habitats. The heart of the sanctuary is the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery (ZEN), which provides a safe haven for baby elephants who have lost their mothers to poaching or natural causes. Panda Masuie is Wild is Life's expansive forest reserve located near Victoria Falls, serving as the crucial next step in the sanctuary's elephant rehabilitation program. This 10,000-acre protected wilderness area provides elephants from the nursery with the space and natural environment they need to transition back to the wild. What makes Panda Masuie special is its connectivity to larger wildlife corridors that eventually lead into protected areas including Zambezi National Park and even across borders into surrounding countries. This location allows the elephants to potentially join wild herds when they're ready, completing their full conservation journey: rescue, rehabilitation - and return to the wild. Beyond elephants, Wild is Life cares for a diverse range of species from cheetahs and pangolins to antelopes and birds of prey. They combine conservation with education, inspiring visitors to become advocates for wildlife protection while showcasing the extraordinary biodiversity of Zimbabwe. You can visit! You can support! Learn more: https://wildislife.org/ (photo credit Wild is Life)
The 'Hargila Army' was started by biologist Purnima Devi Barman, who witnessed villagers chop down a tree crowned with the endangered Greater Adjutant storks’ nests - chicks included. She launched a grassroots effort to do something about it. Today, 10,000 women across the region have banded together to protect nests, raise fledglings, and run educational programs for children and adults explaining the benefits the storks bring to their communities. They even produce textiles that celebrate the giant bird — and bring critical income and empowerment to the local women who are safeguarding its future. Click on the link to watch the super touching and inspiring story.
The formidable Virunga National Park Rangers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, spearhead innovative conservation efforts. They conduct anti-poaching patrols, collect crucial data, and facilitate ecotourism treks. They also serve as conservation ambassadors, educating communities about wildlife protection and ecotourism benefits. They face dangerous challenges with over 220 Rangers killed to date. Despite threats from poachers, oil exploration and ongoing security concerns, Virunga's ranger-led model has resulted in the growth of endangered animal populations while also generating revenue - supporting community development and demonstrating that conservation can be both environmentally and economically sustainable. Go to Virunga.org to learn more or donate. (photo credit Virunga.Org)
Medicine River Wildlife Centre: Caring for injured, orphaned, and compromised wild animals with the goal of returning them to appropriate wild habitats. Ranging from orphaned hares and robins to injured eagles and fox - over 200 species and over 2000 patients annually. Show your support: medicineriverwildlifecentre.ca (Click on the image to watch the inspirational founder Carol Kelly at work - a force of nature in her own right)
Tamandua Expeditions: "Our indigenous naturalists were once people who worked as loggers, gold miners, or poachers. Today, because of Tamandua, they have jobs as guides, cooks, and boat drivers, among other positions. We only work with local, indigenous experts. We don’t hire ‘guides’ to give ‘rainforest tours,’ instead, our staff has a deep and hard-earned knowledge of the environment we explore. Our model is based on the idea that employing locals for jobs that protect rather than destroy the forest is an effective way to keep the jungle safe. You are not visiting a place as a tourist, you are being invited to join us on our mission to protect the wildest places on earth." Go to tamanduajungle.com to learn more. (photo credit Tamandua Expeditions)
When you think of conservation, you may not think seeds. But with the advent of industrial farming, we have lost hundreds of thousands, if not millions globally, of varieties of crops. It’s estimated that in the last 100 years, in North America alone, we have lost a staggering 94% of seed varieties. Fiona Hamersley Chambers is an ethnobotanist, organic farmer and plant steward, who operates Metchosin Farm on Vancouver Island. She has steadily been working to bring back genetic diversity in our food chain. Support her important work and buy her seeds here: metchosinfarm.ca
The Iconic Caribou; a master navigator with epic endurance; able to survive the harshest of Arctic and subarctic environments; featured on the Canadian quarter coin. Status: VULNERABLE. Support the majestic caribou at y2y.net Successful actions being accomplished by the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. (photo credit Jean Beaufort)
The Extraordinary Cheetah. Fastest in the land; 0 to 60mph in 3 seconds; African mythology says her facial markings are remnants of tear stains leftover from a time when a hunter stole her cubs (science says they help reduce glare from the sun); only feline with claws that never fully retract. Status: VULNERABLE. Want to help? cheetah.org a great place to start. (photo credit Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary - support Jukani too! jukani.co.za)
Surreal Shoebill Stork. Stands still as a statue. Sounds like a machine-gun; bows to show politeness; accidental memelord. Status: VULNERABLE. How to help: africanparks.org doing amazing tangible things. (photo credit Bob Owen)
Surround Sound Sperm Whale; Loudest animal on the planet; 230 decibel clicks that can cause physical paralyzation; sound so loud it could theoretically even kill a person; has a huge neocortex and demonstrates great compassion. Status: ENDANGERED. Go to: us.whales.org to help. (photo credit Gabriel Barathieu)