The mission of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals throughout the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats, and assisting animals in distress. We seek to motivate the public to prevent cruelty to animals and promote animal welfare and conservation policies that advance the well-being of both animals and people.

Working Globally
As the largest internationalanimal welfare organisation, IFAW pursues a variety of campaignsand efforts through 15 international offices, where activities aretailored to the particular economic, cultural and politicalconditions of the region.

IFAW is working to protect the world?s largest land animal frompoaching and habitat loss. In South Africa, we donated US$ 2.5million over five years to help the South African National Parksextend protected elephant habitat, funding the purchase ofapproximately 16,710 hectares at Addo and Marakele National Parksin South Africa. Now, IFAW is working with the Kenya WildlifeService to secure and restore the once-famous Meru NationalPark.

Whales have graced the earth?s oceans for 50 million years, but the largest species were hunted close to extinction. IFAW is committed to protecting whales and their marine environment through research, international advocacy, education and responsible whale watching.

Making a Difference Locally in Europe
IFAW?sEmergency Relief team rescues wild and companion animals, large andsmall, around the world.

When the tanker Prestige sank off the north-west coast of Spain inNovember 2002, IFAW and the International Bird Rescue ResearchCentre (IBRRC) brought in vets and wildlife rehabilitation expertsfrom eight countries to help with the disaster.

This Emergency Relief team, along with dozens of volunteers, workedside-by-side with Spain?s regional wildlife authority to cleanhundreds of oiled birds. This spill compelled the EuropeanCommission to speed up measures to ban single-hull tankers fromEuropean waters and the establishment of a European maritime safetyagency.

IFAW has committed a US$ 350,000 grant to boost the work of theoiled bird rehabilitation centre in Sankt-Peter-Ording in Germany.It also supports the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protectionof the Monk Seal (MOm). The Greek NGO is leading conservationactivities for the protection of the endangered monk seals. The US$45,000 grant is designed to contribute to the most importantproject which is the Guarding of the National Marine Park ofAlonnissos in the Northern Sporades (NMPANS).

From October 14-16, 2003, IFAW will co-host in Hamburg the 7thAnnual Effects of Oil on Wildlife Conference (EOW).

The most effective way to reduce the devastating effects of oil onwildlife is preventing oil spills. Oil spills such as the Erika(France), Prestige (Spain) and Tricolor (Belgium) show the need foreffective, integrated planning by governments, wildlife respondersand other groups. The EOW has proved an excellent tool to bring allinterested parties together.

World-Class Research and Collaboration
IFAW supportsscientists working around the globe to address critical questionson animal populations, behaviour and environmental and humanthreats. We also track commercial trade in wildlife and poachingactivities. And we conduct educational initiatives to help peopleunderstand the biological, socioeconomic, and ethical issues thatpertain to animals and their welfare.

Most importantly, IFAW forges partnerships with local organisationsand communities to create and expand wildlife habitat; to findpractical, mutually beneficial solutions to conflicts betweenpeople and animals; and to enhance respect and appreciation forwildlife and the natural environment.

All of IFAW?s efforts are rooted in the belief that a world inwhich animal life can survive and thrive is fundamental to humanwell-being. We are joined in this belief by 2.5 million supportersaround the world.

IFAW in the EU
IFAW?s EU Office has beenleading efforts for more than a decade to heighten attention toanimal welfare concerns.

The Brussels Office currently focuses on

• The serious threats posed to Europe?s harbour porpoises bymodern fishing techniques (especially critical in the BalticSea);
  
• The catastrophic effects on wildlife populations caused by theburgeoning illegal trade in bushmeat e.g. in the forests of Westernand Central Africa;
  
• Wildlife conservation through the application and enforcementof the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ofWild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• The harmful effects of man-made ocean noise on whales, dolphinsand porpoises.