The idea for Our Endangered World came about in 2012 after a trip to South Africa. Being blessed to see wild animals in their natural habitats was an absolutely incredible experience and an eye opener.
I was lucky enough to spot many beautiful rhinos and elephants, some of which might already be slaughtered by poachers for their horns. I was also fortunate enough to see a pack of 11 African wild dogs, one of the most endangered carnivores in the world, sable antelope and numerous birds of prey. The list is endless!
Having experienced this beauty up close made it a lot more difficult not to feel completely helpless and saddened by the elephant and rhino poaching in Africa and Asia, the dolphin and whale killings in Taiji, Japan and in general the loss of and threat to different species every year.
By chance, I picked up The Last Rhinos by Lawrence Anthony in Durban Airport. It tells the story of this amazing man who went to the Democratic Republic of Congo and negotiated with Lord’s Resistance Army to save a subspecies of rhinos. I’m sure you’ve heard of the leader Joseph Kony and his child soldiers, so this was not a risk free situation. They came to an agreement to protect the rhinos and for a little while they were safe.
After reading Anthony’s story of incredible courage and passion towards conservation and protecting wildlife, it was truly sad to learn he had passed away earlier that year. However, it gave me the motivation and inspiration to do something worthwhile.
I decided to create a website to support and raise awareness of the work conservationists perform all over the world, no matter how big or small. These people’s incredible courage and dedication is what have saved numerous species and eco-systems from perishing.
There are a lot of positive stories and happy moments in the world of conservation and it is our wish that these stories be shared.
Founder of Our Endangered World