African Wildlife Foundation

Incredible news from the Dja Faunal Reserve in Cameroon! Recently, our team, in collaboration with the reserve’s #conservation service, rescued a female pangolin from poachers. Just three days after her rescue, she miraculously gave birth to a male tricuspid-scaled #pangolin! Pangolins, classified as endangered by the IUCN, are among the most trafficked mammals globally. Their protection is vital—not only for their survival but also for maintaining ecosystem balance, as they help control termite and ant populations. By safeguarding these gentle creatures, we are also ensuring the health of our forests! #AfricanConservation Facheux T. Charly - MSc, Norbert SONNE, Author, Nfor Manda Lum, Beth Foster, Andrea Athanas, Eric Coppenger, Philip Muruthi, Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya,

A Unique Rescue Operation: Saving Lives, One Species at a Time A lizard, two monkeys, and three tortoises—this isn’t the start of a fable, but a real rescue story from the Dja Faunal Reserve in Cameroon. In one of Africa’s most ecologically rich landscapes, these animals were recovered during an anti-poaching operation led by African Wildlife Foundation with support from the L'Union européenne au Cameroun et pour la Guinée équatoriale and UNESCO. They’re now receiving care at Mvog-Betsi Zoo, a second chance made possible through coordinated conservation action. The Dja Faunal Reserve—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is home to countless species under threat. Our monthly patrols and wildlife rescues aren’t just ticking boxes. They are frontline acts of protection for species like pangolins, chimpanzees, and gorillas, whose survival hinges on how seriously we take our role in conservation. Each rescue is a quiet victory in a larger fight. And with every operation, we’re reminded: protecting wildlife is protecting our shared future. Read more about our rescue efforts here:https://lnkd.in/datPCM6J Norbert SONNE, Author, Akenji Lesly Nji, Facheux T. Charly, Nfor Manda Lum, Jacques Massussi, Yann Edwin AVOTO ESSI, Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya, Andrea Athanas, Kai Wollscheid

A Unique Rescue Operation: Saving Lives, One Species at a Time A lizard, two monkeys, and three tortoises—this isn’t the start of a fable, but a real rescue story from the Dja Faunal Reserve in Cameroon. In one of Africa’s most ecologically rich landscapes, these animals were recovered during an anti-poaching operation led by African Wildlife Foundation with support from the L'Union européenne au Cameroun et pour la Guinée équatoriale and UNESCO. They’re now receiving care at Mvog-Betsi Zoo, a second chance made possible through coordinated conservation action. The Dja Faunal Reserve—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—is home to countless species under threat. Our monthly patrols and wildlife rescues aren’t just ticking boxes. They are frontline acts of protection for species like pangolins, chimpanzees, and gorillas, whose survival hinges on how seriously we take our role in conservation. Each rescue is a quiet victory in a larger fight. And with every operation, we’re reminded: protecting wildlife is protecting our shared future. Read more about our rescue efforts here:https://lnkd.in/datPCM6J Norbert SONNE, Author, Akenji Lesly Nji, Facheux T. Charly, Nfor Manda Lum, Jacques Massussi, Yann Edwin AVOTO ESSI, Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya, Andrea Athanas, Kai Wollscheid

This morning, RDB CEO Jean-Guy K. Afrika welcomed African Wildlife Foundation CEO, Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya for a courtesy visit. They discussed the ongoing collaboration to expand the Volcanoes National Park, home to the majestic mountain gorillas, and to support communities surrounding Rwanda’s national parks. 🦍

🌿 𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗢𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱... 👣 A few months ago, we had this wild idea: 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝘼𝙉𝘾𝘼 𝘾𝙀𝙊𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 — 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 — 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙?  We weren’t quite sure how it would play out, I mean, these are busy professionals leading large organisations. But we were convinced that it needed to happen, and we did know what challenge we were tackling 💡: 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 💰 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 🧬 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 📈, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱. 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆, 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 ❤️. You know what, sometimes, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀. 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 (𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 & 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 🌱) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘁 — 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗼𝗿𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲. 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. So… we went for it! Last weekend, ANCA CEOs 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. They saw where the real action happens, what’s working, and what’s needed to truly scale private finance into biodiversity and conservation efforts. 💪🏾 Such a special experience with an incredible crew: Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya, Eliane Ubalijoro, Raimond Molenje, Arthur Oginga, Richard Marisin — all hosted so generously by @Jonathan Bailey, Beatrice Karanja, Ruwaydah Abdulrahman - Oimbo, and the phenomenal NATURAL STATE team 🙌🏾 We came back, tired, sore, sun-burnt…but good people…𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘁!! 🔥 Watch this space — and as always, at African Natural Capital Alliance, we are #Here4Nature 🌍💚 Old Mutual CIFOR-ICRAF African Wildlife Foundation Kenya Bankers Association Fidelity Shield Insurance Carol Misiko (CFIRM) Roselyne Njino Mercy Njoroge (MIHRM, CHRP-K) Frederick Kumah Andrea Athanas Peter A Minang Biggie Tangane Theresa Reisch Hosborn Wamukoya Kelvin Massingham

Last weekend, we hosted a convening of ANCA CEOs from Kenya's finance and conservation sectors at NATURAL STATE (an ANCA member). This high-level convening fostered direct dialogue, the sharing of critical insights, and the identification of tangible partnership opportunities between leaders in finance and conservation. The retreat's emphasis on providing practical, firsthand experience, particularly through immersion in Natural State's innovative methodologies, offered a unique and invaluable perspective. By witnessing conservation in action and engaging in field simulations, CEOs gained a deeper understanding of the practicalities and potential of nature-based solutions. This direct exposure is critical for informing strategic investment decisions and fostering the development of effective financial mechanisms that support biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. The commitment demonstrated by the participating CEOs – Eliane Ubalijoro CEO of CIFOR-ICRAF, Arthur Oginga CEO of Old Mutual, Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya CEO of African Wildlife Foundation, Raimond Molenje CEO of Kenya Bankers Association, Richard Marisin CEO of Fidelity Shield is paramount. Their leadership and collaborative spirit are essential for mobilising the significant capital required to address the urgent challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change, paving the way for a sustainable and resilient future for Kenya and Africa. -- #NatureFinance #Kenya #Africa #SustainableFinance #Leadership #Collaboration #Impact #ANCA #NaturalState --  Dorothy Maseke ,CFIRM, Hosborn Wamukoya, Biggie Tangane.

In my latest op-ed that has been published today in the Business Daily Africa, I share my reflections on how innovative financial mechanisms—like the newly launched Africa Insurance Risk Pool for Nature—can play a transformative role in reshaping conservation economics across the continent. As wildlife populations grow and habitats recover, we are witnessing a rise in human-wildlife conflict—an unintended consequence that is costing African communities dearly. In Kenya alone, claims related to such conflicts reached over KSh 4.5 billion between 2014 and 2023. These losses not only strain livelihoods but also erode public support for conservation efforts, creating a vicious cycle. That’s why I commend the vision and leadership of institutions like ZEP-RE (PTA Reinsurance Company), UNDP, the COMESA Secretariat, and ACRE Africa for designing an insurance mechanism that offers more than just compensation. It’s a forward-thinking approach that incentivizes risk reduction, promotes coexistence, and embeds conservation within broader economic systems. This is the kind of multi-sector collaboration we need—one that integrates development, conservation, and resilience into a shared agenda for Africa’s future. I invite you to read the full op-ed and join the growing conversation around how Africa can lead in designing homegrown, economically viable conservation solutions that work for people and nature. Read the Oped here - https://lnkd.in/dDudhSPt Frederick Kumah, Facheux T. Charly, Philip Muruthi, Eric Coppenger, Andrea Athanas, African Wildlife Foundation, NANCY G, Rose Kayita Ssebatindira, Pastor Magingi, Norbert SONNE, Author, Antoine Tabu, Olivia Mufute, Brian May

#WorldArtDay: Where Creativity Meets Conservation At the African Wildlife Foundation, we believe that conservation must speak the language of the next generation—and sometimes, that language is art. Across Africa, from the rainforests of the Congo Basin to the vast savannahs of Tsavo, AWF is reimagining how children connect with nature. Through art, music, poetry, storytelling, and digital expression, we are enhancing children’s passion for conservation using the tools they already love. Our approach goes beyond textbooks. By strengthening wildlife clubs in schools - alongside our partners Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, we are introducing technology, providing conservation education materials, and organizing landscape-wide events and competitions, we create safe and inspiring spaces for young people to learn, express themselves, and lead change. Art becomes more than a hobby—it becomes a pathway to advocacy, pride, and environmental stewardship. On this #WorldArtDay, we celebrate the role of creative expression in shaping a generation that sees nature not as a distant concept, but as a living, breathing part of their identity and future. 🎨 The artwork in the poster is by Form 3 students from St. Andrian Kiongwani Boys in Kenya. The artwork illustrates the effects of climate change on wildlife, capturing the urgency of environmental awareness and action. Let’s continue to nurture creativity as a catalyst for conservation. Read more about how AWF is empowering the next generation through art here - https://lnkd.in/dixa7Esf Margaret Mereyian, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya, NANCY G, Facheux T. Charly, Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya, Simangele Msweli-Ratsoana, Jacinta Gacheru, Nyambura Kamau, Frederick Kumah, Philip Muruthi, Kendra Atenya

This past weekend, I joined a remarkable group of leaders at the African Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) Nature Leaders Retreat hosted by NATURAL STATE. It was an inspiring and urgent dialogue focused on one critical question: how do we move from commitment to coordinated action in protecting Africa’s natural capital? At the heart of our discussions was the Nature Voices Pledge—a landmark declaration launched at the Africa Climate Summit, now backed by a coalition of institutions managing over $390 billion in assets across the continent. This isn’t just a pledge; it’s a signal of intent. It affirms that nature is no longer a side issue in development—it is a core driver of economic resilience, climate adaptation, and long-term prosperity. What stood out most is the alignment among finance, policy, and civil society leaders around three key principles: acknowledging the actual value of nature, grounding solutions in Africa’s realities, and taking shared responsibility for its stewardship. We agreed that the real work begins now—supporting conservation and restoration, embedding nature in investment decisions, aligning policies, and fostering collaboration that reflects Africa’s leadership and vision. Africa is the last frontier of vast natural wealth, but time is not on our side. To secure a future that is climate-resilient, economically inclusive, and environmentally sustainable, we must treat nature as the foundation—not the fallout—of development. I am really looking forward to the future partnerships in the horizon. African Wildlife Foundation, Dorothy Maseke ,CFIRM, Arthur Oginga, Richard Marisin, Jonathan Baillie, Beatrice Karanja, Eliane Ubalijoro, FSD Africa, Raimond Molenje, Kaara Wainaina, Andrea Athanas, Frederick Kumah, Eric Coppenger, NANCY G

At African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), storytelling is not just a tool—it’s a commitment. A commitment to elevate the voices of the communities who live with, protect, and depend on Africa’s wild spaces. Recently, our Brand and Public Engagement Team was in Tsavo, working alongside our field colleagues to document the stories that rarely make headlines—but are shaping the future of conservation. From community members advancing nature-based solutions to youth advocating for sustainable land use, these voices remind us that conservation is most potent when it is inclusive and locally led. We aim to bridge the gap between grassroots realities and global audiences by sharing these authentic stories. Behind every thriving landscape is a network of people whose innovation, resilience, and leadership deserve to be seen and heard. Stay tuned as we spotlight these powerful narratives from Tsavo— and showcase that conservation isn’t just an initiative, it’s a way of life. Beth Foster, Nashipae Orumoy, Ariel Gakunga, Nathan Leteipa, Nathan Gichohi, Grace Baruka, CPA Evelyn Magaju, Nicodemus Masila, Facheux T. Charly, NANCY G, Kenneth Kimitei