Many international organizations and treaties play important roles in rhino conservation, many of them best known by their acronyms such as the UN, UNEP, CITES, IUCN, TRAFFIC, Interpol, etc. Then there are the rhino range states and their agencies and NGOs of all shapes and sizes within the civil society movement. There is also an influential body of Private Rhino Owners in Southern Africa. It is helpful to know what they do and how they link up and work together (when and if they do).
CONSERVATION
—A GLOBAL OVERVIEW
Photo credit: Shannon Wild
Updated date: April 20, 2022
Updated date: August 23, 2019
Updated date: August 23, 2019
Civil society plays a huge role in wildlife conservation around the world. It would be true to say that without the fund-raising and project administrative abilities of charitable organizations, conservation efforts in some countries – particularly those that are poorly resourced and poorly managed – would cease to function in any meaningful way. Civil Society action is usually channeled via non-governmental and other non-profit organizations (NGOs and NPOs), most of which are charities whose good works are dependent on private and institutional donations and other fund-raising activities.
Staggeringly, there are in excess of 10 million NGOs operating around the world working in such fields as human rights, the environment, improving health and education and other areas of development. Some work locally or regionally, while others operate at a national or international level. There are probably several hundred thousand working in some or other aspect of wildlife conservation.Some, such as the Worldwide Fund For Nature (WWF) are household names (who amongst us would not recognize the iconic panda logo) and are massive networks operating throughout the world, while others comprise no more than a few individuals working in focused, specialist areas.
in the field of rhino conservation alone there are several hundred NGOs and for donor bodies and private individuals, choosing which ones to support can be a daunting task. For that reason this review highlights a selection of xx vetted charities and programs that are well respected and deserving of support.
