Modern Poaching's Toll

about 900 remain

mountain gorilla

Because a part of their habitat exists in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mountain gorillas are caught in the crossfire of human conflict. And like all great apes, they are targeted by poachers for multiple purposes.

Mountain Gorillas are sold by poachers as trophies - either in pieces or still alive to zoos.

deadly snares:

Poachers' traps

Mountain gorillas are often severely injured by traps meant for smaller game.
Disreputable zoos

Disreputable zoos have been known to buy kidnapped great apes and sentence them to lives of confined misery.
Wealthy "pet" owners

While kidnapping lowland gorilla infants to sell as pets to wealthy buyers, poachers often kill adults in the group in the process.

Humans are the mountain gorilla's only predator. We are also the only hope for them and Africa's other great apes. Take action to stop poaching now.

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poached at 9% a year

forest elephant

Forest elephants have been cursed with ivory—62% have been killed for it in the last decade. Elusive by nature, scientists are just beginning to understand the behaviors of these beautiful creatures.

Forest elephants are cursed with ivory–62% have been killed for it in the last decade.

a poacher's weapons & tactics:

deadliest weapons:

AK-47s

AK-47s rain bullets when they gather in clearings.
Night vision goggles

Night vision goggles and silencers make elephants easy targets, even in dense forests.
Low-flying helicopters

Low-flying helicopters give poachers an advantaged view to pick them off.

There is so much we still need to know about the forest elephant, but our time could be limited. Help us fight poaching—take action now.

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about 25K remain

about 25,000 remain

rhinoceros

The rhinoceros is nearly extinct because of misinformation. Many people believe their horns have the power to cure cancer and other diseases, but they're made of the same material as our hair and nails.

Many people believe rhino horns have the power to cure cancer and other diseases, but they're made of the same material as our hair and nails.

a poacher's weapons & tactics:

deadliest weapons:

Automatic rifles

Automatic rifles fire powerful rounds of ammunition for brutal kills.
Hacksaws

Rhinos' horns are often hacked off while the animal is still breathing, and they are left to die a slow, painful death.
Helicopter gunships

Helicopters allow poachers to easily approach rhinos from the air, leaving little opportunity for rhinos to escape.

Rhinos are teetering on the brink of extinction, and we are the only ones who can save them. Take action to fight poaching now.

take action

about 32K remain

about 32,000 remain

lion

Lion poaching has soared with an increased demand in Asian markets for their bones, which are believed to heal a variety of illnesses.

the poacher's weapons:

deadliest weapons:

Automatic rifles

Automatic weapons can pick off one of Africa's most majestic creatures in an instant.
Cyanide poison

Cyanide poison used to kill elephants also claims many other victims, including lions.
Human–wildlife conflict

Lions are victims of human–wildlife conflict, targeted by pastoralists retaliating for attacks on their livestock.

There's nothing courageous about killing lions. Help us protect this iconic leader of the animal kingdom. Take action now.

take action

about 470K remain

about 470,000 remain

savanna elephant

Savanna elephants have to die for poachers to obtain their tusks. The ivory is smuggled into markets and sold for up to $1,000/pound.

a poacher's weapons & tactics:

deadliest weapons:

AK-47s

AK-47s rain bullets to ensure the most kills possible.
Night vision goggles

Night vision goggles + silencers allow poachers to kill at night.

Cyanide

Cyanide quickly poisons an entire ecosystem's drinking water.
Low-flying helicopters

Low-flying helicopters allow poachers to escape quickly.

Humans are the savanna elephant's only predator. We are also their only hope. Take action to stop poaching now.

take action

expanding our community of 994,000 994K staunch advocates–like you

what we're doing

AWF is working to curb the demand for illegal wildlife trading. We are also empowering the people of Africa to protect their natural heritage before it's too late.

AWF is working to curb the demand for illegal wildlife trading and empower the people of Africa to protect their natural heritage.

in the world:

Airing PSAs about poaching where it's most common

Airing PSAs about poaching where ivory and rhino horn are in demand
Strengthening anti-poaching laws

Working with governments to strengthen anti-poaching laws

On The Ground:

Training sniffer dogs to detect wildlife contraband

Training sniffer dogs that can detect wildlife contraband and help rangers
Building airplane hangars for aerial patrols

Constructing airplane hangars for aerial wildlife monitoring patrols

Fitting animals with GPS tracking collars

Fitting elephants, rhinos, and more with GPS tracking collars
Using CyberTracker technology to outsmart poachers on the ground

Using CyberTracker technology to outsmart poachers on the ground

If you believe we must do everything in our power to protect Africa's wildlife, join AWF today.

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species

modern poaching's toll

surveying the chain of extinction of africa's wildlife

See through the eyes of a poacher and help us fight for Africa's wildlife.

From night vision goggles to low-flying helicopters, see through the eyes of a poacher and learn how you can help us fight for Africa's wildlife.

about 900 remain

mountain gorilla

deadly snares:

poached at 9% a year

forest elephant

a poacher's weapons & tactics:

deadliest weapons:

about 25K remain

about 25,000 remain

rhinoceros

a poacher's weapons & tactics:

deadliest weapons:

about 32K remain

about 32,000 remain

lion

the poacher's weapons:

deadliest weapons:

about 470K remain

about 470,000 remain

savanna elephant

a poacher's weapons & tactics:

deadliest weapons:

expanding our community of 994,000 994K staunch advocates–like you

what we're doing

in the world:

On The Ground: