From mid-March 2022, fires scoured sections of the National Park, threatening key moorland and forest habitats on Mount Kenya. Some forest glades containing mature rosewood and cedar trees were lost early on and without a significant response, further losses to
Read moreEmergency response to attack in W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, with the area supporting 85% of the remaining savannah elephants in West Africa, the only viable population of lions in the region and one of the few populations of cheetah
Read moreSAVING THE VAQUITA FROM EXTINCTION

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 moreRRF launches new website

April 2017Efforts to protect natural World Heritage sites –the world’s most iconic wildlife sites – receive a boost today with the launch of a new website by the Rapid Response Facility (RRF).The RRF provides support to tackle emergencies in natural
Read more