[wanabidii] AWF Newsletter: Remembering Cecil

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view.

August 2015         Remembering Cecil A trophy hunter paid US$55,000 to kill Cecil, Zimbabwe’s much-beloved 13-year-old male lion, earlier this summer. The incident has led to global outrage. In the wake of his tragic death, this year’s World Lion Day, held Aug.10, was a solemn one. However, Cecil is not the only lion to suffer this sad fate. In the past 20 years, 42 percent of Africa’s lion population was lost, with less than 30,000 of the big cats remaining today. This year’s World Lion Day focused on the issues facing today’s dwindling lion populations, including sport-hunting, poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict—bringing much-needed attention to the plight of Africa’s lions. African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) protects critical lion populations by working on conservation policy issues—championing a moratorium on all lion hunting, building enclosures to prevent human-lion conflict and engaging communities in the protection of safe habitats and corridors. Help AWF conserve Africa’s remaining lions in memory of Cecil, today.   > Give in Cecil’s honor           A New Class of Sniffer Dogs In late July, a best-in-breed anti-poaching patrol graduated, following two months of intensive training under AWF’s Conservation Canine Programme. These were no ordinary patrols, but a team of sniffer dogs accompanied by their wildlife ranger partners who are now ready to stop the trafficking of illegal wildlife products at seaports and airports.   > Watch the video             Cecil is not alone. Africa’s lion population has declined by 42% last 20 years. We need your help to save them.           Celebrating the front-line heroes of conservation with World Ranger Day > Read more           New U.S. legislation aims to protect Africa’s elephants from poachers > Learn more           “Rally the Herd” PSA contest inspires film-makers to raise awareness > Enter today           A bold genet takes a wild ride on an endangered black rhino > See video             Conservation Chocolate Get chocolate that supports Africa’s wildlife—Endangered Species Chocolate gives back 10% of proceeds to AWF.   SPREAD THE WORD             Fun Fact The cheetah is the only cat without retractable claws—a unique adaptation that works like a soccer player’s cleats, allowing the animal to maintain traction at high speeds.

At AWF, we believe that protecting Africa's wildlife and wild landscapes is the key to the future prosperity of Africa and its people. For over 50 years, we have made it our work to help ensure that Africa's wild resources endure.     1400 Sixteenth Street, NW  |  Suite 120 Washington, DC 20036   |  1-888-494-5354   www.awf.org   |   Support Us Privacy Policy   |  Unsubscribe       Donate With Confidence       Photo credits: Paul Runze, AWF/Cheryl-Samantha Owen Billy Dodson, Julie Larsen Maher / WCS, Jerrie Hatch, Mark Boulton, Endangered Speices Chocolate, Delta Rain.