For nearly 60 years, AWF has been Africa's conservation organization and is uniquely positioned to promote conservation of wildlife and wild lands in a modern Africa. AWF promotes an African conservation vision. Conservation, to be effective and sustainable, must be Africa-led. Today AWF is the only global conservation organization that implements Africa-led strategies and programs. AWF implements proven conservation solutions and develops new approaches that benefit humans and wildlife despite the challenges Africa's rapid development brings. AWF partners with other NGOs and at the highest level of government but also regionally and with local communities, to engage people in activities such as sustainable land-use planning and building schools in exchange for conservation commitments.

AWF takes a holistic approach to address threats and build opportunities from a multitude of angles. Protecting wildlife -- AWF employs a three-pronged strategy to fight poaching: stop the killing, stop the trafficking, and stop the demand. Focus species include elephants, rhinos, lions and other large carnivores, giraffes, mountain gorillas and other great apes. Conserving land -- AWF has mapped priority landscapes across the continent that have vital wildlife populations and the greatest chance of conservation successes. Within these landscapes, AWF promotes community-based solutions. Promoting community well-being -- AWF projects start with people because conservation solutions only work when owned by those living with wildlife day in and day out. AWF helps build community-owned eco-lodges throughout sub-Saharan Africa, refurbishes and builds schools in rural communities, and trains farmers in sustainable agriculture practices.

AWF applies decades of conservation experience and the latest conservation and ecological research to develop and implement pragmatic solutions that enable rural communities and African governments alike to support the protection of wildlife and wild lands. As it demonstrates that wildlife and people can thrive side by side, AWF provides critical assistance to national parks and reserves and promotes international cooperation to protect essential sites and populations that stretch across national boundaries.

Key Achievements: - AWF works with communities who live in close quarters with wildlife, to recruit, train, and equip wildlife scouts. 11 of the 14 of the elephant populations AWF works with are now stable or increasing. - In Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, the endangered African wild dog populations are now stable due to anti-poaching efforts -- patrols removed more than 100 snares per month while also apprehending poachers, destroying poaching camps, and disposing of cyanide traps. - Canines for Conservation sniffer dog teams have uncovered more than 180 incidents of hidden ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales or other illicit wildlife products since the program started. - AWF has also analyzed wildlife laws in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda and synthesized the findings in a report that serves as a launch point for workshop discussions of best practices and challenges in prosecuting wildlife law.

AWF worked with the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) to comanage Simien Mountains National Park in Ethiopia. By restoring the park and working with surrounding communities, Simien was removed from the List of World Heritage in July 2017. Canines for conservation continues to see remarkable successes. Since the program started, the detection dog units have uncovered more than 180 incidents of hidden ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales or other illicit wildlife products. Where they are deployed, the teams have served as deterrents for wildlife traffickers. AWF plays a major role in ensuring the continued existence of some of Africa's most iconic species, including elephants, rhinoceros, lions and great apes. AWF will continue to address the conservation of these species — and the large landscapes that support them and provide significant ecosystem services for countries — in large part by addressing the intersection of wildlife and human development.