Photo credit: Doris Day and jumbo elephants courtesy of the DDAF.
Doris Day Animal Foundation was founded by the legendary actress-singer in 1978 with the simple mission to help animals and the people who love them. As a grant-giving charity, DDAF funds other non-profit organizations and programs across the US that directly care for and protect animals, such as the Iowa Parrot Rescue, where DDAF’s funding helps provide medical care and rehabilitation for birds such as Rocky, an African Gray Parrot who lost the only home he knew after 38 years.
Another animal charity doing good work is Save the Chimps who do fantastic work in the field of chimpanzee conservation. This is is a nonprofit organization that rescues and provides lifelong care to chimpanzees previously used in biomedical research or entertainment. They offer these animals a safe and natural environment, and they strive to give them the best possible quality of life. They currently care for over 200 chimpanzees on a 150-acre sanctuary in Florida, which is one of the largest chimpanzee sanctuaries globally. In addition, they conduct educational outreach programs to raise awareness about the plight of chimpanzees and the need for their protection. Their ultimate goal is to ensure that all chimpanzees can live their lives peacefully and with dignity. See how you can help and support these amazing animals at savethechimps.org
Wildtracks (based in Belize) received an annual award from the Forest Department for its exceptional service and untiring efforts in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation over the last 33 years.
Wildlife SOS spoke at the first-ever Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON) in Mysuru, where they discussed the success of Project Tiger. This wildlife conservation project was launched in 1973 by the Indian government to protect tigers from extinction. The project began in Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, India, and it was later expanded to other national parks across India. Today, there are 54 tiger reserves in India, and the tiger population has increased from below 2,000 in 1973 to 3,167. Project Tiger has also helped conserve other species and their habitats, create employment opportunities for local communities, and raise awareness about wildlife conservation. Despite the progress, the survival of tigers remains threatened by habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, emphasising the importance of continued conservation efforts.