“I received some literature from AWF regarding an option in AWF’s wildlife adoption program where I can adopt an animal and receive chocolate. Would you mind telling me a little bit more about that? Thanks!”

-Tyra, Lincoln, NE, U.S.A.

As many of you know, it is AWF’s mission to work hand-in-hand with the people of Africa to ensure the wildlife and wild lands will endure forever. Recently, we at AWF were thrilled to learn that we were selected by Endangered Species Chocolate – a company that wholly supports our mission- to become one of their non-profit partners.

Some background: ESC was founded in 1993 with the sole purpose of spreading the word about the plight of endangered and threatened species to the masses via the most literal, word-of-mouth campaign ever: chocolate. Combining knowledge with indulgence, the core value of ESC is the belief that life- in all its various forms- is precious and worthy of protection, kindness and above all else, respect. Each of ESC’s more than 30 chocolate-related products features information on an endangered or threatened species found on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Endangered Species List. The purpose being to not only indulge in a person’s sweet tooth but to also engage folks in dialogue and most importantly, action, into helping Earth’s most threatened species-including humankind.

Chocolate may be bad for doggies but not for you: an Endangered Species Chocolate adoption gift package featuring Kerubo, the African wild dog (Photo Credit: Endangered Species Chocolate)

The ESC wildlife adoption package includes: a plush animal representing the animal adopted, a one year e-membership to AWF (that means email, ya’ll), a portion of the adoption fee turns into an immediate donation to the AWF program that corresponds to the animal adopted and- here’s the kicker- the higher the level you adopt (ESC offers packages of $30USD, $45USD and $75USD), the more chocolate you receive!

AWF is honored to partner with such a respectable and praiseworthy company as ESC. From all adoptions and chocolate sold, ESC will donate 10% of their net profits to help support AWF’s Species Science Team and wildlife conservation programs.

Wait! Before You Go…

We talked a lot about respect for life in this post and in keeping with that theme I would be remiss if I did not point out an upcoming holiday that is very deserving of respect: Veterans Day. On November 11^th, you can help honor the veterans of any nation in the world by making a donation in their honor to AWF’s ‘wildlife soldiers,’ such as the brave rangers of our Virunga Heartlands who, literally, put their lives on the line every day in order to protect the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas. Go here to donate equipment to scouts in the Congo and here to help equip mountain gorilla rangers. You may also go here to create a tribute fund to honor a vet in your life, here to make a memorial donation to a vet and here to make a gift in honor of a vet.

Author: Erin

Heading up AWF’s membership desk for the past eight years, Erin Keyes has amassed quite a bit of knowledge about Africa’s wildlife and unique wild lands. She’s also an expert on AWF’s membership benefits and programs. She started this blog to share what’s she’s learned and to give AWF supporters another forum for asking questions