ABOUT AFRICAN ARK CONSErVATION

The African continent is home to a diverse range of ecosystems that in turn support a rich biodiversity and abundant wildlife. However, as poor rural human settlements expand into wilderness areas, replacing indigenous forests with agriculture, competition for land and food often leads to human/animal conflicts. Furthermore, many species are highly valued on the black market, and as a result there is a financial incentive for locals to poach wild animals. This is exacerbated by poverty and lack of education. As local inhabitants depend on agriculture for their survival, they don't always understand the benefits that natural ecosystems and the wildlife they support have to offer, or why they should be protected. This leaves wildlife vulnerable to exploitation both for food and financial reward.

African Ark is an animal conservation network striving to protect and conserve Africa’s wildlife. Working closely with African communities, we host animal conservation study tours, conferences and the inaugural Animal Conservation Congress to be held annually from 2017. Funding generated is directed to specific partner conservation programs, NGOs and other organisations working to save wildlife in Africa.

Our team has over 20 years’ experience in marketing and event management, including Olympic Games (SOCOG), large and small scale conferencing, round table discussions and facilitating sensitive high end negotiations.

AFRICA'S ENDAGERED WILDLIFE

Many natural habitats are threatened due to expansion of human settlements, clearing of land for agriculture, or deforestation due to logging or other industrial activities. This in turn threatens wild animals that are dependent on those habitats for food and shelter. With their natural habitat increasingly shrinking, large mammals such as elephants, leopards or other dangerous animals may roam into human settlements in search of food, trampling crops, killing livestock and endangering lives in the process.

Wild animals are not only killed to protect life and property, but are also extensively hunted for bushmeat or for their hides, horns, tusks, or other body parts, which are sold illegally. Poaching is often conducted by highly organized crime syndicates who recruit poverty stricken locals to hunt wildlife on their behalf. Consequently, many of Africa's large mammals, including elephant, rhino, gorilla,and cheetah are endangered due to poaching. However, Africa is highly resilient, and this trend can be reversed with proper education and by generating awareness amongst local communities of how they can benefit — both directly and indirectly — from the wildlife without killing it.

Key Stakeholders

Next years Conservation Wildlife Congress 2017 will provide an active forum to discuss findings, seek feedback, exchange idea and promote active collaboration in all areas of animal conservation
This fast paced conference is guaranteed to inspire. ​​ The conference is a unique opportunity for the investment community to raise funds, drive awareness and understand the need for medical research funding in Australia.

Distinguished global and local investment professionals will share their expertise and exclusive investment ideas.

100% of funds raised will be shared between four charities;

THE PROGRAM

A highly charged three day professional African Wildlife Conservation Congress, for qualified delegates and associates, working within wildlife animal conservation.

African Ark Conservation will bring together stakeholders from Conservation groups, agencies, National Parks, influential Government representatives, landholders, scientists, NGO representatives, students, corporate movers, shakers and Media to discuss important topics to implement changes for the future.

The conference will provide an active forum to discuss findings, seek feedback, exchange idea and promote active collaboration in all areas of animal conservation.
By educating local inhabitants, especially the youth, living in vulnerable fringe communities about the long-term benefits of conserving wildlife, they may be more willing to take ownership and responsibility for protecting their natural heritage. Once they see the benefits of protecting wildlife, these local communities can play a key role in turning the fight against poaching and hunting around. 

TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TODAY.

CONSERVATION STATUS:
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Critically Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Vulnerable
Elephant Conservation
Elephant poaching in Africa follows a similar trend to that of rhinos above. The level of poaching has been rapidly escalating since 2006, with levels rising dramatically in 2011. The level of poaching has dramatically risen across all African subregions, and has now passed the threshold at which it is sustainable. Because the number of elephants being killed far outnumbers those being born, African elephant populations are in a state of decline.
Rhino Conservation
The rate at which rhinos are being exterminated by poachers is truly alarming. In South Africa alone, where rhino poaching has increased by 4000% since 2007, 1.6 rhinos are slaughtered every day, which equates to 576 rhinos killed every year. This level of poaching cannot be sustained. Very soon there will be no rhino left at all, and our children and grandchildren will only see these animals in books.
Cheetah Conservation
Like the rhino and elephant, cheetah populations are in sharp decline and the species is at risk of going extinct unless drastic conservation measures are implemented. However, unlike rhino and elephant, the decline in cheetah numbers is not solely due to poaching, although poaching together with indiscriminate trapping and killing by livestock farmers has taken its toll and is partly to blame.
CHANGING OUR WORLD

supportING environmental education