Wild @ Life



Wild at Life e.V

We need to act now, tomorrow is too late.

According to the latest researches, globally, 52% of wildlife has been lost in the past 40 years. In Africa as well, the variety and abundance of wildlife is shrinking fast as human population grows and encroaches on the once wild and pristine landscapes. While illegal hunting (known as “poaching”) still runs rampant despite government crackdowns, the spread of logging and agriculture contributes even more to the decline of many species of large mammals. In addition, many wildlife mammals are left orphaned with bleak chances of rehabilitation.

Earth is most likely experiencing its sixth mass extinction. It has been through five such catastrophes before, but this is the first one in human history — and the first one with human fingerprints.

Supporting sustainable growth and development in Africa through wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and community health

Throughout the world tourism industry, the value of nature-oriented tourism is increasing on all continents, and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The value of such tourism not only translates as economic benefits but also has a wide-range of diverse ecological and cultural benefits. Wildlife tourism in sub-Saharan Africa is largely supported by Protected Areas (PAs), in which national parks (NP) offer wildlife-viewing in natural habitats. Wildlife tourism also occurs in locations such as game ranches, which are usually privately owned, and communal conservancies, which are community based.

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, travel and tourism are expected to contribute over 9% to the African region’s GDP over the next decade. Wildlife-viewing tourism offers a wide range of products including nature-based tourism with a wildlife component, visits to locations with good wildlife presence, visits to artificial attractions based on wildlife, habitat-specific tours, animal watching, hunting tours and ecotourism. However in Africa today, most PAs are under threat from humans, caused by growing populations and their increasing need for land and natural resources. Added to that, the rate of species extinctions, and the increasing numbers in orphaned wildlife (in particular Africa’s Big Five), is developing at an alarming rate also largely due to human activities, primarily those driving habitat loss. Given the economic, ecological and cultural significance of wildlife tourism in Africa, there is a need to create a harmonious environment for both wildlife and human beings to coexist and flourish.

The wild@life Foundation will be a unique concept that brings together wildlife preservation and community health under one umbrella. The Foundation’s principle mission is to support wildlife conservation in sub-Saharan Africa through wildlife rehabilitation and release as well as public/community awareness. Its strategy is to create a harmonious environment for both local communities and wildlife species to co-exist and flourish in a sustainable manner.