Goals & Objectives
WildatLife (Wild@Life) Goals & Objectives
WildatLife e.V. (stylized as "Wild@Life") is an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) working in the fields of wildlife conservation, wildlife rescue, biodiversity protection, anti-poaching and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. The watchdog’s main area of expertise is combating illegal wildlife trade and wildlife trafficking.
The NGO various missions includes Lion and Elephant rescue and rehabilitation in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Wildlife Conservation and Human Wildlife Conflict Mitigation in Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique; Primate Rescue, Ranger Empowerment and Law Enforcement in Angola; Abused, Distressed and Starved Zoo Animals Rescue in Burkina Faso, Nigeri and Syria (from where the NGO brought animals to safety to Turkey in War thorn dangerous zone); Lion Rescue from Canned Hunting in South Africa; Orangutan Rescue in Indonesia and Stray Animals Rescue Turkey.
Nature-based tourism generated USD3.2 billion in 10 out of 14 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries in
2000/2001. In Kenya, the direct contribution of the global tourism sector (more than three quarters of tourists to Kenya visit parks
and reserves) to the GDP was USD1.4billion in 2007. In South Africa, between 2009 and 2012, the total number of tourist visiting
parks surpassed 4.5million, an increase of 3.8% from the previous year.
By focusing on these aims, Wild@Life will inadvertently also be contributing to:
Growth of wildlife tourism – through its core programs, the Foundation will help turn orphaned and rescued wildlife into
national assets that can generate ‘tourist dollars’, therefore driving economic growth on the continent.
Local employment and inclusion – the Foundation will create jobs for local communities through direct employment
and provision of goods and services. It will also enable them to become key participants in international efforts for wildlife
preservation
Protection of endangered wildlife – species diversity is necessary to ensure the planet’s ecosystem resilience. The
Foundation will help to support biological diversity upon which families, communities, nations and future generations can depend
on
Protection of traditional cultures – The Foundation will be helping local communities to maintain their traditional way of
life, and minimize the pressures of modernization
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.