As we know, Africa is deeply immersed in wildlife and the continent prides itself on being home to some of the world’s most rare species. In recent years there’s been an increased need for wildlife conservation efforts, as there are many species on the brink of extinction if their safety is not prioritised.

Recently one of Africa’s big five – the rhino, has been severely targeted due to poaching; which is motivated by the value of their horns, which are sold across the world for millions of dollars. The rhino population throughout Africa has decreased drastically because of this devastating reality, and unfortunately nothing significant can be done without help from the public.

Another sad reality is that of the increased hunting of wildlife in Africa, which seems to have become a ‘sport’. A number of hunters have been caught boasting about their kills on social media, with the most recent find uncovered just last month. People don’t understand how their selfish actions are affecting natural ecosystems and destroying the environment. We as humans are highly dependent on the environment for the preservation of our own wellbeing and ultimate survival, yet we are neglecting it each and everyday through the choices we make, and our lack of action.

If you are eager to take action and help in protecting and preserving Africa’s wildlife, we have a few tips on how you can play your part in wildlife conservation.  

Go on a wildlife safari in Africa, and feast your eyes on the beauty that Africa is known for.

Donate to conservation funds

There are many fantastic organisations across Africa that are committed to protecting Africa’s wildlife – especially those that are most vulnerable and are heading for extinction. Their efforts, although prioritised by the species that are endangered; are also aimed at safeguarding even the less vulnerable species so that their numbers continue to grow healthily. They believe that prevention is better than cure, and if we come together to sustain and maintain ecosystems, we will face less challenges in the future when it comes to hunting, poaching, encroachment etc. Here are a list of great conservation funds that could do with your support so that they can continue their remarkable work:

• International Rhino Fund (IRF). They seek to protect the five rhino species that are currently under threat, including: the Black Rhino, White Rhino, Sumatran Rhino, The Greater One-Horned Rhino and the Javan Rhino. If you don’t want to make a donation, you can also support this cause by buying from their online shop, as a large percentage of their sales go towards raising funds to support their efforts.
• The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWF). The EWF are dedicated to protecting Africa’s endangered species as well as restore the balance in southern Africa’s ecosystems. They have created a number of programmes that seek to address various issues which are harming Africa’s wildlife and ecosystems, such as: poaching, deforestation, disease, traditional migration route interference and the impact of human encroachment.
• The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). The AWF’s mission is to ensure wildlife and wild-lands thrive in modern Africa. They work throughout Africa, with a keen focus on preserving ecosystems that are affected by factors such as deforestation and climate change. They are concerned with the conservation of wildlife, the protection of land and habitats, as well as community empowerment and education.

Volunteer to work for a wildlife conservation project

There are many fantastic wildlife conservation projects who look for volunteers to assist in the operation of conservation endeavours. Some prefer long term volunteers, and others are happy for volunteers to assist on their terms.

• Wildlife Act: offer a variety of different programmes to choose from which focus on different elements of wildlife conservation. They cover endangered species conservation, leopard conservation, conserving paradise (marine life in Seychelles) and whale conservation. Wildlife Act’s volunteering opportunities currently run in South Africa, the Seychelles and Zululand; with the Seychelles conservation efforts focusing on endangered species monitoring, marine conservation and ecosystem restoration. Zululand programmes focus primarily on endangered species monitoring.

Join us on our next tour to South Africa – one of the world’s most talked about places!

Various conservation projects include:

• Wildlife care and rehabilitation
• Wildlife research
• Wildlife education and empowerment
• Marine conservation

Create awareness

Creating awareness is a great way to indirectly support and assist wildlife conservation efforts. Without people creating awareness, the public would be oblivious to what is happening to the environment, and what needs to be done to save it. By simply creating awareness on social media portals for example; which reach many people people at once; and where it can be shared over and over again, you’ll be helping in a small, yet significant way.

You can make a difference through simple lifestyle changes

You can help save the environment, ecosystems, wildlife and marine species just by making smarter lifestyle choices. Reduce the use of plastic; and reuse or recycle when you can. We are facing a major crisis as plastic is landing up in our oceans and killing marine life. Another way to make a difference is through minimising your carbon footprint by reducing your use of natural resources, and harmful gases; as well as through seeking out responsible ways of disposing unused technology devices.