IFAW

We're so sad to share the news that another North Atlantic right whale has died from entanglement. Today we mourn not just the loss of a whale, but the failure to protect one of the planet’s most endangered animals. “Rescue teams up and down the East Coast worked for months to try to rescue this whale, but the simple fact is that just rescue is not enough. To protect the species and individuals, these entanglements must be prevented from happening in the first place. The tools exist to reduce entanglement risk, but we must commit to using them. Every delay costs lives,” says IFAW's Brian Sharp, director of our marine mammal rescue program. North Atlantic right whales remain among the most imperiled large whales on Earth, with an estimated global population of only about 380 individuals and fewer than 70 reproductively active females. This loss underscores the grave threats these animals continue to face from human activities. Photos: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #24359. Aerial survey funded by NOAA Fisheries and Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

A meaningful conservation milestone in India. 💙 Two young greater one-horned rhinoceros, Chandra and Kanai, have been translocated from the IFAW-Wildlife Trust of India Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation to Kaziranga National Park, following international best-practice protocols. They will undergo a short acclimatization period before full release. “We are immensely proud of Chandra and Kanai, whose journey from vulnerable calves to candidates for wild release exemplifies what sustained, science-based conservation can achieve,” said Neil Greenwood, Program Director at IFAW. This achievement reflects more than 20 years of collaboration between IFAW, Wildlife Trust of India, and the Assam Forest Department. Read more about this conservation comeback story at the link below.

Today, the High Seas Treaty enters into force: a historic moment for our ocean! 👏 🌊 For the first time, we have a global, legally binding framework to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, covering nearly half the planet. This is more than a diplomatic win. It’s a signal that meaningful action for marine wildlife and ecosystems can begin now. IFAW is proud to stand with global partners as we turn this promise into protection. Learn more about what comes next:

The management of Amboseli National Park is officially returning to the Maasai community after 50 years: a powerful historic homecoming and milestone in community-led conservation that brings decision-making back to the people who have always stewarded this land. This handover of Amboseli is just the start of a bold vision for shared stewardship. With cooperation from communities, government, research partners, and conservation organizations, Amboseli can thrive for generations. Read more: https://g.ifaw.org/4pCBZ0Y

IFAW, alongside WWF and TRAFFIC – the wildlife trade monitoring network – is a founding member of the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online. Through the Coalition, we work with NGOs and tech platforms worldwide to disrupt wildlife trafficking using AI tools, advocacy, and coordinated action. As part of our cybercrime program, IFAW is the only conservation NGO recognized as a Trusted Flagger in the EU, empowering trained volunteers to monitor online wildlife trade and requiring platforms to act on illegal wildlife trafficking posts and listings. Learn more about our work as part of the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online ⬇️

We’re so pleased to share the news of this multi-year collaboration and hopeful for the progress it can bring for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

What happens to wildlife when the landscapes they call home become stripped of their natural qualities and transformed into urban centers, commercial farms, or massive factories? When their food sources and habitats disappear? When new buildings, roads, and fences block their migratory routes? Animals are increasingly being pushed into new areas where they compete for resources with other species, including humans. They may be considered a nuisance or even a threat to people who have never had to deal with them before. Some species are killed to the point that they become locally, or even globally, extinct. These negative interactions are called human–wildlife conflict. It’s a major issue around the globe. But fortunately, there are many ways to avoid these conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence. Coexistence means that people and wildlife live alongside each other while still having their needs met. We are interconnected with the species that share our planet, and our actions influence how peaceful or contentious our relationships with wildlife become. At IFAW, we believe that learning how to coexist with wildlife is essential, not just for their survival but for our own. Learn more:

"Our vision really is to combine rescue and conservation and that's what makes us unique. Because we believe in the intrinsic value of animals." Watch the new feature, Inside IFAW with Azzedine T. Downes, on what makes IFAW unique in the landscape conservation space and the critical importance of working with the communities who live alongside wildlife. Video: © IFAW/Wild Africa

IFAW is saddened by the loss of Craig, Kenya’s beloved super tusker and an icon for elephant lovers around the world. At 54 years old, Craig was not just known for his immense, ground-sweeping tusks—he was loved for his gentle, unhurried nature. Calm, tolerant, and unmistakably dignified, he roamed freely across the Amboseli landscape in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, moving peacefully between swamps and plains. Often, he would pause unbothered as visitors, researchers, and filmmakers watched in awe. For many people, Craig was Amboseli—the elephant they travelled across the world hoping to see. Born in January 1972, Craig was a powerful ambassador for elephants. As one of the last remaining super tuskers—elephants with tusks weighing over 45 kgs (100lbs) each—he represented a vanishing lineage of giants and a living reminder of what long-term protection can achieve. Craig also played a vital role as a breeding bull, passing on his strong genetics and calm temperament to future generations. His long, free life—spent roaming an open landscape rather than behind fences—was made possible through decades of dedicated conservation, strong anti-poaching efforts, and the stewardship of the Amboseli community. Over the weekend, Craig died of natural causes. His passing leaves a quiet space on the plains beneath Kilimanjaro—and in the hearts of all who knew him. His legacy lives on in his offspring, his image, and in the countless people he inspired to care deeply about elephants and their future. IFAW sends its condolences to Kenya on the passing of Craig. Lala Salama, Craig. Rest in peace. 🐘