Q&A: US government funding pause and IFAW’s work

Last updated on 19 March 2025. Answers may be edited to reflect latest developments.

1. What is happening with US government funding, and how does it affect IFAW?

The Executive Branch of the US government has announced its intention to vastly reduce support for international aid. This announcement affects conservation and wildlife protection efforts around the world, and jeopardizes more than $5 million in planned IFAW work, impacting multiple projects and partner organisations across 13 countries. Without funding, critical programs that combat wildlife trafficking, protect ecosystems, and support community-led conservation efforts are in jeopardy.

2. Why is IFAW impacted by a reduction in international aid?

Wildlife are the unintended victims of these actions. While IFAW is also funded by private donations, we work closely with US government agencies to implement several high-impact conservation programs. These projects protect wildlife, disrupt criminal networks involved in trafficking, and strengthen local economies. The funding pause halts these essential efforts, endangering species and people who depend on them.

3. What are the real-world impacts of these paused projects?

The funding uncertainty has immediate and severe consequences for IFAW projects, including:

• BLOCKS Project (Kenya), a USAID-funded project focused on ecosystem protection, habitat restoration, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation in the Tsavo and Amboseli ecosystems. 18,000 elephants and 468 lions face an increased threat of poaching, and nearly 300,000 hectares of wildlife habitat face threats from habitat loss and degradation. UPDATE: This project has been terminated.
• Confiscated Animals–Rescue and Enforcement (CARE) Project (Global), a program that rescues and rehabilitates wildlife seized from illegal trade while training enforcement officers to combat trafficking. Now, 250 frontline officers won’t receive wildlife crime training, and 220 confiscator kits won’t be delivered, jeopardising the welfare of seized animals. UPDATE: This project is under review.
• PROTECT Project (Malawi and Zambia), an initiative that enhances ranger training, strengthens legal frameworks, and improves cross-border collaboration to tackle wildlife crime. Kasungu National Park’s 350 elephants are more vulnerable to poachers, and 90 rangers won’t receive critical conservation law enforcement training. UPDATE: This project is under review.

4. Why should the US engage in international conservation?

Wildlife trafficking and natural resource crimes are highly profitable forms of transnational organised crime; these activities fuel corruption, destabilise localities, destroy ecosystems that provide critical clean water and cropland, and threaten global security.

Criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking also engage in arms smuggling, drug trade, and human exploitation. By investing in conservation, the US disrupts these criminal operations, strengthens international partnerships, and helps protect wildlife that benefits economies and ecosystems worldwide.

5. Didn’t President Trump previously take action against wildlife trafficking?

Yes. During his first term, President Trump signed an Executive Order on Transnational Organized Crime, which recognized wildlife trafficking as a threat to public safety and national security. By supporting conservation and anti-trafficking efforts, the US government has played a critical role in disrupting criminal networks that harm wildlife and people. The current funding pause contradicts these earlier commitments and weakens global enforcement against illegal wildlife trade.

6. How does conservation funding impact the US economy?

Conservation efforts support industries like tourism, outdoor recreation, sustainable forestry, and sustainable agriculture, which generate billions of dollars annually and create jobs. Additionally, healthy ecosystems provide critical resources like clean water and airable land, and critically, they act as buffers against zoonotic disease outbreaks, protecting public health and US agricultural industries. Investing in conservation is not just about protecting wildlife—it’s about securing economic and environmental stability.

7. How does the funding freeze affect people and livelihoods?

The funding freeze doesn’t just impact wildlife—it affects people who rely on conservation efforts for their income and safety. In Kenya, over 13,000 individuals participating in IFAW-led economic empowerment programs will be left without support. In Kasungu National Park, IFAW will not be able to provide training to 12 investigators, prosecutors, and magistrates, making it harder to prosecute wildlife criminals. Additionally, rangers and park personnel supported by IFAW’s work with USAID are in danger of losing their jobs, threatening security in protected areas.

8. What is IFAW doing to address the funding issue?

Most importantly, we will not abandon staff, partners, and local groups on the ground. This includes rangers and those who live alongside wildlife—we will continue to support them.

IFAW is urging the Administration to restore critical funding. We are also working with policymakers, conservation partners, and supporters to highlight the critical need for sustained investment in wildlife protection and rescue efforts.

9. What can supporters do to help?

Supporters can take action by:

• Write or Calling your Members of Congress letting them know that U.S. international assistance is critical for conservation efforts including combating wildlife trafficking, securing protected wildlife areas, supporting community livelihoods, and conserving keystone species that the American people hold dear.
• Outside of the US, this may include your US Embassy officials.
• Raising awareness about the impact of the funding pause to your friends and family.
• Donating to IFAW to help sustain conservation efforts in the face of these new financial challenges.

10. Where can I find more information about IFAW’s work?

You can visit IFAW’s website for the latest updates on our conservation efforts and how we are responding to the funding pause.

Read more about what the funding pause means for wildlife and how USAID affects national parks and conservation.