Specialised Programmes run for the conservation of target endangered species

African Elephant Programme (AEP)

In 2000, WWF launched a new African Elephant Programme. Building on 40 years of experience in elephant conservation, WWF’s new initiative aims to provide strategic field interventions to help guarantee a future for this threatened species.

The Programme aims to conserve forest and savanna elephant populations across Africa by supporting projects that:

• improve protection and management
• build capacity within range states
• mitigate human-elephant conflict and
• reduce illegal trade.
  
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African Great Apes Programme (AfGAP)

In 2002, WWF launched a new programme to respond to the threats facing Africa's great apes. Building on more than 40 years of experience in great ape conservation, WWF’s initiative aims to provide strategic field interventions to help guarantee a future for these threatened species.

The long-term goal of the African Great Apes Programme is to ensure viable populations of all species and subspecies of African great apes are conserved. Find out more about our the programme, and the spectacular animals we're working to save.

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African Rhino Programme (ARP)

In 2008, the African Rhino Programme celebrated a decade of successful field, community and lobbying work to build viable populations of endangered rhino species in at least some areas of their former range.

Amongst other things, the Programme focusses on protection and management of the most important black rhino populations, helps African governments to develop and implement effective national rhino conservation, works to eliminate the illegal trade in rhino horn, and strengthens ties with local communities where rhinos live, building capacity among all stakeholders.

In 1997, there were 8,466 white rhinos and 2,599 black rhinos remaining in the wild. Today, there are 14,500 white rhinos and nearly 4,000 of the more endangered black rhinos, mostly in the ARP partner States of Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The program now plans to return rhinos and support small existing populations in remaining areas  of their former range in Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia.

Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS)

The AREAS portfolio provides a cohesive approach to the conservation of the 3 Asian rhino species and the Asian elephant nested within the WWF network programmes.

The conservation of the AREAS priority landscapes will not only safeguard a future for Asia’s wild elephants and rhinos, but also protect many of the most biologically important places in Asia and other countless endangered species, including the tiger, orangutan, and many other species.

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Tiger Programme

In 2002, WWF developed a strategy for conserving tigers in the wild, in partnership with other conservationists and authorities. This strategy identified 7 priority and 4 additional landscapes across the tiger range important for its conservation. Within these key landscapes, WWF and its partners work to reduce or remove threats to the survival of tigers in the wild.

TRAFFIC

TRAFFIC, a joint programme of WWF and IUCN - The World Conservation Union, works to ensure that trade in wild plants and animals is not a threat to the conservation of nature. TRAFFIC focuses its work around 4 main aims:

• the protection of wild animal or plant species from endangerment by trade;
• the safeguarding of priority ecoregions from negative effects of wildlife trade;
• the conservation of particularly valuable wildlife resources for human needs; and
  
• the promotion of international agreements and policies that encourage wildlife trade at sustainable levels

Much of WWF's wildlife trade work is led or carried out in partnership with TRAFFIC. ...more