Animal welfare activists give voice to species that cannot speak. It turns out that as the world becomes more aware of the various dangers faced by the wildlife, so does the web flourishes with sources for wildlife protection.
We picked the finest of the crop and compiled this list fit for wildlife enthusiasts – and the rest of us who care.
1. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
WHAT: Conservation of wildlife habitats.
IN DETAIL: Climate change, extinction, human-wildlife coexistence and sustainability top Wildlife Conservation Society’s list of concerns. Founded in 1895 (!), the organization scours the world, helping a variety of wild species – gorillas, tigers and ocean giants included.
WHERE: Worldwide
2. PAWS
WHAT: Bringing people together for the respect and security of animals.
IN DETAIL: PAWS, an organization that brings together people who love animals and enjoy their company, leaves its paw print via a slew of activities. Especially worth noting is the PAWS Wildlife Center, which provides healthcare and rehabilitation to wild animals.
WHERE: Washington State, USA
3. GORILLA DOCTORS
WHAT: Hands-on medical care to mountain gorillas.
IN DETAIL: Gorilla Doctors is a team of veterinarians that cares for mountain gorillas – an endangered species bordering extinction. The doctors rescue wounded gorillas and provide healthcare for various illnesses.
WHERE: Rwanda, Uganda and the National Republic of Congo.
4. WILDLIFE ALLIANCE
WHAT: Battling illegal wildlife trade.
IN DETAIL: Avid planet savers, the Wildlife Alliance works to eliminate wildlife extinction. The organization focuses on combatting illegal wildlife trade by cultivating alternate sources of income for struggling, underserved communities. Wildlife Alliance also provides hands-on rescue and rehabilitation to animals in plight.
WHERE: Cambodia
5. WWF
WHAT: Cultivating human-animals coexistence and sustaining biodiversity.
IN DETAIL: The influential organization combines hand-on conservation efforts and takes active part in forming policy and legislation. WWF grants special focus to particular species, including tigers, dolphins and elephants.
WHERE: Worldwide. Priority regions are the Amazon, Himalayas, Mediterranean, Borneo, Coral Triangle and Madagascar.
6. INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
WHAT: Saving animals and habitats.
IN DETAIL: Saving seals, defending whales, protecting elephants and saving tigers are just some of the projects IFAW is dedicated to. Overseeing 40-some projects, the organization provides hands-on assistance to animals and generates campaigns for the awareness of animals in danger of extinction.
WHERE: Worldwide
7. WORLD SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF ANIMALS
WHAT: Ensuring that animals are treated with respect.
IN DETAIL: The World Society for the Protection of Animals is involved in activities that promote the compassionate treatment of animals and good animal welfare. Whales, bears, and orangutans are some of the species at the heart of WSPA’s work.
WHERE: All over the world. WSPA holds local chapters in many countries worldwide.
8. AFRICAN WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
WHAT: Protecting Africa’s wildlife and natural landscapes.
IN DETAIL: AWF is engaged with the conservation of ecosystems alongside the protection of wildlife and resolution of human-wildlife conflict.
WHERE: Africa
9. PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS
WHAT: The largest animal rights organization in the world.
IN DETAIL: PETA is an internationally renowned organization and a devout activist for animal rights. Using at times controversial tactics to spread its word, PETA is engaged with public education, research, legislation and animal rescue.
WHERE: Worldwide
10. ANIMAL WELFARE INSTITUTE
WHAT: Promoting animals’ prosperity and wellbeing.
IN DETAIL: Founded in 1961, the veteran organization does everything in its power to minimize – if not altogether eliminate – the impact of human actions detrimental to endangered species.
WHERE: Worldwide. AWI is especially engaged with promoting American legislation.
11. DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
WHAT: Promoting pro-wildlife legislation.
IN DETAIL: Combining hands-on collaboration with communities and active promotion of pro-wildlife legislation, Defenders of Wildlife have a record of over sixty years protecting imperiled species, such as the black bear, Alaska gray wolf and the American bison.
WHERE: Various regions Stateside and Alaska.
