WildAid

WildAid is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Global Affairs Canada to protect the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP)! 🌊 The ETP is a vibrant and diverse marine ecosystem, vital for the reproduction, migration, and distribution of wildlife such as tuna, sharks, sea turtles, whales, and marine birds. Yet, the region faces mounting threats from illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which endangers ecosystems and local livelihoods. Through this partnership, we’re bolstering marine law enforcement, enhancing regional collaboration, and supporting sustainable resource management across Ecuador, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Panama. Together, we’re working to protect marine biodiversity and strengthen the resilience of coastal communities that depend on these critical waters. Learn more about this exciting project here: https://lnkd.in/gp4rNKaB #ConservationIsATeamSport

If you're in the Bay Area, don’t miss this upcoming opportunity to hear Wildaid's John Baker discuss the urgent fight against illegal wildlife trafficking—and how we can all help end it. See below for details and the link to RSVP! 👇

We were proud to have Sammy Safari, a ranger from WildAid's partner Bahari Hai, represent us at the recent 7th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC7) in Cape Town, South Africa! At IMCC7—the world’s largest gathering of ocean conservationists—Sammy shared his story and highlighted the essential role communities play in effective marine management. He emphasized that communities should be seen as partners and opportunities for marine managers. WildAid’s approach reflects this vision. Through community engagement and shared goal-setting, we empower local partners to protect marine environments and support long-term sustainability. This work aligns with our 6-step BLUEprint for MPA Success, a collaborative, community-centered framework that curbs illegal fishing, enhances enforcement, and fosters marine life recovery. 🌿🐟 By partnering with local communities and agencies, we tailor solutions that meet the needs of each unique marine area. We’re inspired by the engaging discussions and global commitment to #MakeMarineScienceMatter at #IMCC7! Photo courtesy of Bahari Hai.

From October 7-11, WildAid's marine team partnered with Gabon's General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture to host a vital training workshop for fisheries inspectors. Over three days, participants engaged in classroom training, followed by two days of hands-on operational activities in Gabon's Komo Estuary. During these field missions, 69 small fishing boats were inspected, leading to 24 infractions related to unauthorized fishing or operating in prohibited areas. 🛶 This workshop is part of our ongoing efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, while enhancing the skills needed to ensure sustainable fishing practices and protect Gabon’s marine resources. 🌍 Why it matters: Gabon’s coastal waters are a haven for critical ecosystems, including vital mangrove forests and marine habitats that support a wide variety of species, such as sea turtles and manatees. These waters also serve as crucial breeding and nursery grounds for fish populations. By strengthening enforcement capacity, we help ensure these ecosystems remain resilient and productive for generations to come. Thank you to all the participants and partners for their dedication in making this initiative a success! Together, we’re building a sustainable future for Gabon’s marine ecosystems. #ConservationIsATeamSport Learn more about this workshop via Gabon Review: https://lnkd.in/g2vHyVqh

SAVE THE DATE: Our next livestream is November 21st at 11 am PST/2 pm EST! The WildAid team will share inspiring stories of our latest efforts to protect vulnerable wildlife, from sea turtles and pangolins to thriving mangrove forests and beyond. You'll also discover how WildAid is making a positive impact on ocean ecosystems and contributing to the fight against climate change. 🌎 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g2kNbZgf

Leopard sharks undergo a striking transformation as they mature. Juveniles are born with dark stripes that mimic the markings of venomous sea snakes, offering them protection from predators. As they mature, these stripes gradually fade, revealing the distinctive spots of adult leopard sharks. In Thailand, leopard sharks are crucial to the health of the marine ecosystem, but they're becoming increasingly rare. They're often caught as bycatch because they inhabit coral reefs or sandy bottoms, which increases their likelihood of getting caught in fishing gear. Earlier this year, WildAid and Ocean Blue Tree joined forces on the “Spot the Leopard Shark – Thailand” program, which invites the local diving community to contribute photos of leopard sharks taken in Thai waters to identify individuals and assess population trends, behavior, and key habitats. This data will then be analyzed to guide future conservation efforts.  📸 Every photo counts in the effort to save Thailand's leopard sharks! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gBVnYT4Z

We’re thrilled to have partnered with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to host the second annual Uganda Conservation Media Awards in Kampala last week. This event celebrated the finest Ugandan reporting on conservation and highlighted the crucial role journalists play in protecting wildlife. Established in 2023, these awards are the only ones of their kind in Africa, recognizing journalists who demonstrate excellence in conservation reporting. “Journalists have been instrumental in raising awareness about critical issues such as poaching, habitat degradation, and human-wildlife conflict,” said UWA Executive Director Sam Mwandha. Through this initiative, UWA and WildAid aim to inspire more journalists to engage deeply with conservation topics, ensuring stories of Uganda’s wildlife and ecosystems reach a wider audience. By doing so, we hope to raise awareness among the public and policymakers about Uganda’s rich biodiversity and the challenges it faces. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6KxXp7E

It was my honor and pleasure to deliver a keynote address "Protecting Biodiversity, Protecting Our Future" at the ESG Global Leaders Conference in Shanghai organized by Sina.com along with my WildAid colleague Chong Yu who moderated an insightful panel discussion with corporate sustainability leaders: Jinqing Caroline Cai - President, Kering Greater China, David Bach - President of IMD, Shixian Lai - Co-CEO Anta Group and Vincent BOINAY - L'Oréal President of North Asia and China.

Cameroonian restaurants are stepping up to protect endangered pangolins as part of the “No Pangolin On My Plate” campaign. So far, 116 restaurant owners have committed to not serving pangolin meat, helping to preserve Cameroon’s rich natural heritage. 👏 Campaigners have visited 190 restaurants serving bushmeat, with 37% of those previously offering pangolin meat now pledging to stop. These efforts mark a positive shift in protecting pangolins, one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. Learn more about this impactful initiative and how it’s helping to save pangolins: https://lnkd.in/grg8PEX9

Check out this exciting opportunity to hear from WildAid’s Gregg Casad as he shares insights from our global partnerships, highlighting our work in The Bahamas to boost compliance and enforcement in critical marine areas, including MPAs. Details below! 👇 Special thanks to Blue Nature Alliance and Reef Resilience Network! #ConservationIsATeamSport