can undermine economies,
destabilize governments, imperil
people's futures, and--most
importantly--threaten the very
survival of some of the world's
most celebrated species.
If we do nothing, we risk
losing everything.
was seeing some relief from the poaching wars of the
a longer-term vision, working closely with governments and
participating in policy discussions with local, regional, and
national partners on how we can integrate conservation into
economic development.
the progress made by AWF and other conservation groups.
We now confront a renewed threat that is jeopardizing
the economic and national security of numerous African
countries: a dramatic return and escalation of illegal
wildlife trafficking. Within and outside of AWF's traditional
heartlands--from cameroon to south Africa and
elsewhere--illegal wildlife trafficking has resulted in a
resurgence of violent, large-scale poaching. the extent of
carnage--and the trail of carcasses across the continent--
is horrifying.
charismatic species, the rhino and the elephant, are now
at risk. these species were at one point Africa's greatest
conservation success stories. if we don't act soon, they
may become our greatest conservation tragedies.
make a significant impact in saving the rhino, elephant, and
other critical species. We have therefore fortified species
conservation efforts in existing heartlands and are also
providing support to targeted species protection projects
elsewhere on the continent. thanks to your partnership and
support, this expansion of focus on priority rhino and elephant
populations has been possible.
effectively on the ground in Africa, these times call for going
beyond business as usual. this is why we have intensified
our policy discussions with governments, from the United
states to china, and are taking on a more active public
profile so that our voice will be heard around the world: