WildAid: Coming to the Aid of Wildlife

WildAid, a San Francisco-based environmental organization, has a unique mission – to reduce the worldwide demand for wildlife products. In its efforts to spread the word about its mission, the non-profit organization works with Western and Eastern celebrities as well as business leaders in various industries in dissuading people from the purchase of wildlife products. Among its celebrity ambassadors are Jackie Chan, Yao Ming, Harrison Ford, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Hudson, Jane Goodall, and Amitabh Bachchan.

Aside from these celebrity endorsers, WildAid also maximizes the power of broadcast and social media to spread its message. Its methods of information dissemination and persuasion include educational initiatives and public service announcements, which can reach roughly 1 billion people per week in the Chinese mainland alone.

WildAid also works with national and local governments, local partners and communities, and media organizations with the aim of promoting wildlife conservation as a worldwide priority especially in endangered areas. Its Galapagos Islands-based field program apprehends poachers and smugglers while also providing local communities with alternative sources of livelihood.

WildAid Provides Aid for Wild Animals

Founded in 2000, WildAid is a charity committed to raising awareness and public support for wildlife conservation. With offices in London, San Francisco, Ecuador, China, Canada, and India, WildAid is currently led by Steve Trent, one of the original four founders of the organization. The only group focused on reducing the demand for endangered species products, WildAid creates customized, culturally sensitive multimedia campaigns to promote a positive shift in consumer behavior. Furthermore, the organization works to protect critical areas around the world to ensure the safety of wild animals.

WildAid ambassador and former NBA star Yao Ming recently visited the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, which is home to various African wildlife, including the endangered black rhino.

“Poaching has become such a serious problem in East Africa, that last year alone, Ol Pejeta lost five of their 88 rhinos to poachers, which has been their greatest loss in twenty years,” wrote Yao on his blog. He is presently in Africa to help bring awareness to the poaching crisis that the continent's rhinos and elephants are facing.