Elephants Receive Reprieve

AWF applauds the Tanzanian government’s decision to withdraw its proposal to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to conduct a one-time sale of more than 100 tons of it stockpiled ivory to China and Japan. The government’s decision to withdraw the proposal comes amidst an elephant-poaching crisis stemming from a growing demand for ivory, primarily in Asia. “By withdrawing this controversial proposal, Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to protect a species integral to natural ecosystems and one that the tourism industry depends on,” said AWF CEO Patrick Bergin. The CITES 16th Conference of the Parties takes place March 3-15.

Show Off Your Best Africa Photos!

Calling all wildlife photographers—professional and amateur. AWF is proud to once again sponsor the “African Wildlife” category of the 2013 Nature’s Best Windland Smith Rice International Awards Competition. The competition, which is now open, celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography. Winners will be exhibited in the world-renowned Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and have the chance to be in AWF’s 2014 membership calendar! So pull out that photo collection from your last safari and enter your best wildlife shots—submissions are due by May 15.

// Read about the decision

// Enter for your chance to win

Good News for Gorillas

Wanted: Conservationists in Training

More Trees in the Mau

AWF Trivia

The results of a 2011 census of mountain gorillas in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park are in. Despite ongoing conflicts in surrounding regions, the census confirms a minimum population of 400 mountain gorillas in the park—putting the world’s population of mountain gorillas at 880. The increase in the Bwindi population since the last census is attributed to both real population growth and improved censusing techniques of these rare and elusive great apes.

Applications are now open for the second class of AWF’s Conservation Management Training Program (CMTP). The CMTP was launched last year to recruit and train new talent as our organization expands to new landscapes across Africa. This is not an internship—it is a competitive, professional training program where graduates of conservation master’s degrees have the opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on conservation experience in Africa and contribute directly to AWF’s work.

Last year, AWF signed an agreement with Tricorona, a Swedish company focused on carbon emission reduction projects, whereby Tricorona clients would be able to purchase a tree for AWF to plant in Kenya’s Mau Forest. The Mau is Kenya’s largest natural “water tower,” storing water during the rainy season and releasing it during dry periods, but has become degraded over time. As of January, 857 trees have been sponsored through the partnership.

The West African giraffe has suffered crippling population declines throughout the past century due to habitat loss. Once ranging widely from Senegal to Chad, the West African giraffe is now found only in one small area, where AWF is working to restore the species’ thorn tree habitat. What country is the West African giraffe found in? Be the first to answer on AWF’s Facebook page and receive an AWF fleece blanket!

// Check out the census techniques

// Join the team!

// Learn more about the forest

// Answer on Facebook

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