The fight against extinction is waged by dedicated organizations conserving species in zoos and parks and organizations operating in the field, often in the most remote and challenging environments. At Global Wildlife Center, we are committed to conserving wildlife through our own work at our facility in Folsom, LA, and abroad through the organizations that we support. The stories of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), Sahara Conservation (SC), and the International Crane Foundation (ICF) are powerful examples of focused, science-driven conservation that is achieving incredible results for iconic species and the vast ecosystems they represent.
Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF): Stopping the Extinction in its Tracks
The giraffe, the world’s tallest land animal, has been facing a “Silent Extinction,” with wild populations plummeting by nearly 30% in recent decades. The Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) is the only non-governmental organization (NGO) in the world solely dedicated to the conservation and management of giraffes in the wild across Africa.
The GCF’s Critical Work:
- Science-Driven Taxonomy and Monitoring: GCF’s research was instrumental in the recent recognition of four distinct giraffe species (Northern, Southern, Masai, and Reticulated). This scientific clarity is crucial for targeted conservation. The Twiga Tracker Initiative – the largest GPS satellite tracking study of giraffe ever conducted – provides vital data on movement, habitat needs, and threats, guiding effective conservation strategies.
- Translocation Programs: GCF actively moves giraffe back into areas where they were locally extinct, restoring populations and expanding their range. This is a powerful, hands-on tool to secure a future for threatened populations.
- Community and Education: GCF supports anti-poaching and de-snaring efforts and runs environmental education programs, such as the Khomas Environmental Education Programme (KEEP), inspiring local communities and future generations to protect their wildlife heritage.
The GCF works in over 20 African countries, impacting millions of acres of giraffe habitat and driving the development of National Giraffe Conservation Strategies across the continent.
Sahara Conservation (SC): Bringing Back the Desert Giants
The Sahara and the bordering Sahel grasslands are home to some of the world’s rarest and most imperiled wildlife, driven to the brink by conflict, hunting, and habitat loss. The Sahara Conservation (SC) is an international NGO dedicated to conserving the wildlife and ecological processes of this vast, arid region.
The SC’s Critical Work:
- Reintroduction Triumphs: SC has been a global leader in cooperative programs to bring species back from “Extinct in the Wild.” Most notably, they spearheaded the reintroduction of the Scimitar-Horned Oryx into Chad, a monumental success that resulted in the species being reclassified from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered in 2025.
- Species-Specific Recovery: SC focuses on the most threatened Sahelo-Saharan antelopes, including the Addax and the Dama Gazelle, by developing and implementing long-term conservation strategies, captive breeding programs, and field monitoring.
- Field Operations and Enforcement: SC works closely with governments and local partners in countries like Chad and Niger to establish and manage protected areas, conduct anti-poaching patrols, and monitor the health and distribution of remaining wild populations.
- Landscape-Level Conservation: Their efforts extend beyond a single species to include managing the entire ecosystem, which benefits other threatened fauna like the North African Ostrich and various vulture species.
International Crane Foundation (ICF): Flagships for a Healthier Planet
The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is the only organization in the world working to conserve all 15 species of cranes and the ecosystems, watersheds, and flyways on which they depend. Cranes serve as powerful “ambassadors” for the world’s wetlands and grasslands—critical habitats that support countless other species and provide essential services like clean water and flood control for human communities.
The ICF’s Critical Work:
- Global Reach and Partnerships: ICF operates across five continents, with programs spanning Africa, Asia, and North America. They work with a network of hundreds of specialists in over 50 countries, facilitating trans-boundary conservation efforts.
- Reintroduction and Captive Breeding: ICF maintains a vital facility in Wisconsin that houses all 15 crane species. Their expertise in captive management has been crucial in the recovery of species like the Whooping Crane in North America, using innovative techniques like costume-rearing and reintroduction to establish new, wild migratory populations.
- Wetland and Watershed Protection: By focusing on cranes, ICF safeguards millions of hectares of wetland and grassland habitat. In Asia, their work to secure sites like China’s Poyang Lake benefits not just cranes but most of the world’s population of Swan Geese and thousands of fishers. In Africa, they undertake massive wetland restoration projects to save species like the Wattled Crane.
- Connecting Conservation and People: ICF’s integrated approach links biodiversity conservation with poverty alleviation and food security, ensuring that local communities benefit from the protected landscapes.
These three organizations are demonstrating that through research, on-the-ground action, and global collaboration, conservation can effectively protect species and their ecosystems to build a healthier future for the planet. You can donate to these organizations at Global Wildlife Center through our Quarters for Conservation program. Your change can create real change in the world for these beautiful and unique species and for the ecosystems that they inhabit. You can also support giraffe conservation and the GCF by joining us for World Giraffe Day, celebrated June 21st each year.