The Simien National Park (SMNP) in Northern Ethiopia is a spectacular landscape, where massive erosion over millions of years has created jagged mountain peaks, deep valleys and sharp precipices dropping some 1,500m. The Park is of global significance for biodiversity,
Read moreSTRENGTHENING VITAL SURVEILLANCE EFFORTS IN NIGER’S W NATIONAL PARK

The W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is a mosaic of nine protected areas spreading across three countries (Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger). Together these areas create the largest and most important continuum of terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems across in the West African
Read moreEMERGENCY SUPPORT TO VIRUNGA NATIONAL PARK’S MOUNTAIN GORILLAS

Virunga National Park (790,000 ha) is the first national park established on the African continent and comprises an outstanding diversity of habitats, including swamps, steppes, snowy mountain peaks, savannahs, and the two most active volcanoes in Africa. The park is
Read moreSuppressing the spread of uncontrolled fire in Mount Kenya National Park

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 moreBattling Blazes in the Brazilian Cerrado

The Cerrado biome is also the most biodiverse savannah in the world, home to approximately 5% of the planet’s biodiversity. The region supports many rare and endemic animals and plants, including the giant anteater, giant armadillo, maned wolf, jaguar, pampas
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 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
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