50 years of animals and people thriving together

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A Message from our CEO

When a group of activists first witnessed newborn seal pups being slaughtered on the ice floes in East Coast of Canada, every one of them asked the same question:

What can I do about it?

They answered that question by founding IFAW in 1969. During those early years, IFAW was committed to one problem threatening one species in one part of the world. And in 1983, with the European ban on whitecoat Harp seal products, we saved more than one million seal pups in the process.

Since then, we’ve taken on more problems threatening more species, including our own, in more than 40 countries. Today, we are rescuing more animals and conserving more habitats, on land and at sea, than at any other point in our history. And it almost always starts with one person or one community asking that same question:

What can I do about it?

CEO

Azzedine Downes

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At just three months old, Nania, wandered alone in to a small village in Burkina Faso. She had been separated from her herd for some time and was malnourished. The local community came together to raise enough money to provide her with life-saving formula. They called upon IFAW's elephant experts to create a specialised rehabilitation programme for her. Now, just a few months later, we've been able to move Nania to a new enclosure where her long-term rehabilitation will take place. She's developed a strong bond with Whisty the sheep, who made the journey alongside her. Nania is lucky to be looked after by four incredible caretakers who provide her with the round-the-clock specialist attention that she needs to prepare her for returning to the wild. Photos: @melaniemahoney_ #elephant #conservation #wildlife

A post shared by ifaw United Kingdom (@ifawuk) on Mar 19, 2019 at 5:14am PDT

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When it comes to saving a species from extinction, we firmly believe that every individual matters, which is why our work to rescue, rehabilitate, and release orphaned rhinos with Wildlife Trust India (WTI) is so important. In 2000, IFAW and WTI joined forces to strengthen wildlife conservation in India. Collaborating with the Assam Forest Department, we created the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) and started the initiative to return orphaned rhinos back to the wild. Monsoon rains, floods and mudslides often leave calves stranded and separated from their mothers. Once rescued, these orphaned rhinos are brought to the CWRC and hand-raised by caretakers. They undergo rehabilitation, recover from injuries, gain confidence, and learn to socialise with other rescued rhinos. Slowly they grow in strength and independence before they're released into the wild, where several of the female rhinos have given birth to calves of their own. - © ifaw-WTI #savetherhinoday #wildlifeconservation #rhino #conservation

A post shared by ifaw United Kingdom (@ifawuk) on May 1, 2019 at 3:27am PDT

We’re excited to announce IFAW is supporting the @MuseumofLondon's new #BeastsOfLondon experience which explores the fascinating role individual animals have played in shaping the capital. #IndividualAnimalsMatter #IFAW #London pic.twitter.com/WgMgQgBK8E
— ifaw United Kingdom (@IFAWUK) April 5, 2019

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