CONTACT AFRICAN ARK
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.
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Be part of the solution.
Protect OUR WILDLIFE.
Our Vision: We dream of an Africa where people live in harmony with nature for the benefit of all; an Africa where people enjoy and benefit from the full diversity, beauty and richness that this wonderful continent has to offer.
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Help us protect the spectacular, but vulnerable parts of our African Wildlife that people need to survive and thrive.
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 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. |
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Critically Endangered 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. |
CONSERVATION STATUS:
Vulnerable 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