In particular, vaquita are affected by gillnets used to capture the endemic ‘totoaba’ fish, which is targeted for its swim bladder for overseas markets. No fishing activities are permitted within the vaquita’s core range, but nevertheless, illegal fishing continues. The
Read moreRRF in action: 2020

The RRF provides small grants in emergency situations affecting biodiversity within natural World Heritage sites. With a target to decide on applications in just 8 working days, we provide rapid support at times of crisis. In 2020, RRF provided $181,677
Read moreStrengthening firefighting to prevent destruction in Brazil’s Pantanal

The Pantanal region is the largest tropical wetland in the world, located mostly within Brazil, but also extending into Bolivia and Paraguay. The ‘Pantanal Conservation Area’ natural World Heritage site, part of the larger Pantanal Biosphere Reserve, covers a considerable section
Read moreSaving the lives of Tigers and People in the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest, expanding across India and Bangladesh. Located at the mouth of the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers, these forests are home to the magnificent Bengal tiger. Uniquely adapted to the mangrove ecosystem, the
Read moreSafeguarding the Endangered Mountain Gorilla during Covid-19 Crisis

Worldwide, Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) are found exclusively in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and the Virunga Landscape (Uganda, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo). Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, located in south west Uganda, is home to almost
Read moreEmergency response to a tragic attack in Virunga National Park

In order to ensure the continuity of conservation actions, RRF has responded swiftly, providing emergency funding to the Virunga Foundation to increase the protection of guards and staff and to deliver support to the impacted communities. Infrastructure reinforcements, such as
Read moreAtlantic forest reserve in peril

The sheer amount of Atlantic forest within its 236,613 hectares makes it of global ecological importance, providing habitat for unique plants and animals, such as jaguars, tapirs and harpy eagles, among other threatened species. However, there has been a dramatic
Read moreEmergency wildfire management in Bale Mountains

The Bale Mountains National Park is a tentative natural World Heritage Site in the Ethiopian highlands, and represents the largest area of afro-alpine habitat in Africa. The area is internationally recognised as a centre for biodiversity and endemism, with a
Read moreFighting Flames in Mount Kenya National Park

More than 20,000 hectares of land have been destroyed so far, including wildlife habitats and their biodiversity. Although a large proportion/majority of the fires have been controlled, the rainy season is not expected until late March/early April in this area.
Read moreRapid Rodent Response in the Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands have been described as a ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’. The biodiversity of the Galapagos needs little introduction. The isolation of the islands has resulted in a rich diversity of endemic plants and animals, such as
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