Supporting species and ecosystems, Part 1

Our conservation efforts are not confined to high profile species. We pay equally close attention to unglamorous or obscure species and those without champions. FFI’s work with endangered island snakes, epitomized by the Antiguan Racer Conservation Project, includes awareness campaigns to improve their public image. Fundraising campaigns help to support our work with particular species, from the flying fox to the most endangered cat in the world, the Iberian lynx.

Yet singling out a charismatic animal as a flagship species and highlighting its own particular plight can have a positive effect on the entire ecosystem in which it occurs. The International Gorilla Conservation Programme protects not only the mountain gorillas, but also their afro-montane forest habitat. Our work with the Asian elephant is helping to raise awareness of broader conservation issues in Sumatra and other parts of south-east Asia.

From helping to develop ecotourism on one of the world’s largest freshwater islands in Nicaragua to improving livelihoods while conserving the Siamese crocodile in Cambodia’s Cardamom mountains, the protection of threatened ecosystems remains one of our cornerstone activities. Our global remit encompasses ecosystems such as temperate forests, fynbos, mountains, tropical forests, coastal zones and small islands. The geographical spread of FFI’s projects is matched by the diversity of the work itself.