10 Best Charities That Fight for Endangered Animals (Complete 2024 List)

10 Best Charities That Fight for Endangered Animals (Complete 2024 List)

By
Carla Shaik

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The number of endangered species recorded by IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) has more than doubled within the last seven years. Of the 160,000 species that have been assessed, around 43,000 are now threatened with extinction. Indeed, we are heading into a mass extinction event caused by habitat loss, wildlife crime, and climate change. However, charities are determined to reverse the damage and save our endangered wildlife. So, we had to ask: What are the best charities that fight for endangered animals?

The best charities that fight for endangered animals are IUCN and Re:Wild. Charities such as the Charles Darwin Foundation and the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance also focus their efforts on preserving wildlife in some of the world’s most biodiverse areas.

Whether you want to improve conservation efforts to save endangered species, end the illegal wildlife trade, or invest in breeding programs to rewild our planet, there is a charity for you. Keep reading to learn more about what the best charities that fight for endangered animals are all about, how they work, and what your best way would be to make a contribution.

Here’s What All the Best Charities That Fight for Endangered Animals Have in Common

The charities on this list were chosen based on their mission, impact and transparency ratings, and achievements.

They operate all over the world, from North America to Asia, protecting endangered species.

Many of the charities on this list focus their efforts on restoring wild habitats, whereas others work to improve conservation plans to better protect vulnerable wildlife species.

Some of these charities focus their attention on ending the illegal wildlife trade and advocating for laws that better protect endangered animals around the world.

Yet, they all share the same goal; to protect the biodiversity of our planet.

These Are the 10 Best Charities That Fight for Endangered Animals in 2024

Below are our favorite charities that fight for endangered animals (you can click on their link to directly jump to their section in this article):

(At the end of this article we’ll also share our six-step approach on how you can select the best charity to support.)

1

IUCN: Enabling Society, Economics, and Nature to Thrive Together

Logo for IUCN
Celebrating 75 years of IUCN around the world

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Their transparency & ratings:

According to their financial report, IUCN spent 51% of their expenditure on operating costs and 35.2% on education and support. 

“Generating, utilizing, and publishing sound, evidence-based research to advance nature conservation and sustainable development.”

IUCN

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What they do:

IUCN provides science-based knowledge, tools, and support to animal welfare and conservation organizations, as well as government agencies, to protect our natural planet and all its inhabitants. For example, the IUCN Red List is a globally recognized tool to determine the health of the world’s biodiversity. In addition, their Contributions for Nature Platform allows IUCN members to document where their conservation projects are being conducted, creating a database to identify areas and species in need of support. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Today, IUCN works across 600 sites in 60 countries to protect endangered species and improve conservation efforts around the globe. For example, they have pledged to actively protect and restore more than 210 million acres of natural land and have assessed 157,190 species through their IUCN Red List. The charity has also been integral to the creation of numerous international conventions including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to IUCN through their website. You can also support the charity by becoming an IUCN Member or by joining an IUCN Commission

2

Re:Wild: Protecting and Restoring the Wild

Logo for Re:Wild
Re:wild is here!

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Their transparency & ratings:

Re:Wild holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

To protect and restore the wild to build a thriving Earth where all life flourishes.”

Re:Wild

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What they do:

Re:Wild protects and restores the diversity of life on Earth through collaborations with governments, like-minded organizations, and local communities. They particularly focus on restoring land in the world’s Key Biodiversity Areas, which are essential for the survival of numerous endangered species and ecosystems. They also work with Earth Guardians on the ground, including park rangers, to tackle wildlife crime and habitat destruction. For example, they are working with the Maya Forest Corridor Coalition to identify and conserve vulnerable forest areas in the Maya Mountains to protect endangered jaguars and Baird’s Tapirs.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, Re:Wild has protected and conserved over 460 million acres of land that has benefited more than 33,000 species, including over 200 severely threatened species. They have also created more than 100 new conservation areas, covering 90 million acres, through their collaborations with 500 conservation partners in over 80 countries. Today, the charity actively focuses on the protection of 193 endangered species across 24 wildlife programs

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Re:Wild through their website. You can also support the charity by attending one of their awareness events or re:wilding your life

3

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust: Re-Wild Our World

Logo for Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Journey Home

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Their transparency & ratings:

According to their financial report, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust spent 64.9% of their income on charitable activities and 31.6% on raising funds.

“Saving species from extinction and restoring the wonderful color of our planet.”

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

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What they do:

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust manages breeding programs at Jersey Zoo, with the intention of releasing individuals back into the wild. Furthermore, their Global Conservation Program focuses on safeguarding the world’s most threatened places and their native species, including Saint Lucia and Madagascar. In addition, they run multiple workshops to train conservationists in biological and cross-disciplinary skills so they have the tools to run successful wildlife conservation programs.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust has remained committed to conserving endangered wildlife and their habitats. Their work has led to the improvement of 500 endangered species projects and they have better connected over 1 million people with nature. Today, 100 species are on their way to recovery and 10 ecosystems across the world’s major biomes are being rewilded. For example, in 2022, the charity worked with 32 communities in Madagascar to replant 337 hectares of land with more than 442,500 seedlings to restore mangroves and forests. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust through their website. Alternatively, you can support the charity by symbolically adopting an animal or by purchasing items from their online shop

4

Charles Darwin Foundation: Protecting the Diverse Galapagos Islands

Logo for Charles Darwin Foundation
About Charles Darwin Foundation

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Their transparency & ratings:

According to their financial report, the Charles Darwin Foundation spent 59.7% of their income on science, conservation, and education projects, 6.7% on fundraising, and 36.6% on other expenses.

“To provide knowledge and assistance through scientific research and complementary action to ensure the conservation of the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos Archipelago.”

Charles Darwin Foundation

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What they do:

The Charles Darwin Foundation works closely with the Galapagos National Park Directorate to protect the diverse fauna and flora on the Galapagos Islands. For example, through the Charles Darwin Research Station, the charity works on conservation initiatives, research projects, and sustainable development projects to ensure the islands are well-managed. In addition, they work to conserve endangered species on the islands such as the iconic Giant Tortoise, and reduce the number of invasive species that threaten native species populations.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, the Charles Darwin Foundation has collected 135,000 specimens which now reside in their Natural History Collections to better understand the unique fauna and flora found on the Galapagos Islands. Today, they run 17 conservation projects to protect the most endangered species on the islands. For example, in 2022, they published 66 peer-reviewed scientific papers to advance conservation in the Galapagos through collaboration with 540 scientists. In the same year, the charity x-rayed 20 female tortoises as part of their 11-year tortoise reproduction study. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to the Charles Darwin Foundation through their website. You can also assist the charity in the protection of the Galapagos islands by becoming a member of the Pristine Galapagos Society.

5

Oceana: Protecting the World’s Oceans

Logo for Oceana
How Oceana Protects Our Oceans | Oceana

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Their transparency & ratings:

Oceana holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar

“Dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale.”

Oceana

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What they do:

Oceana works to make our oceans more diverse and abundant by advocating for changes to marine-related government policies. The charity particularly focuses their efforts on tracking harmful fisheries that are causing high levels of bycatch and running unsustainable practices. They also focus on reducing pollution in our oceans and protecting the most endangered marine species by campaigning for the widespread use of cleaner energy sources.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, Oceana has protected nearly 4 million square miles of ocean and won over 300 policy victories for endangered marine wildlife. For example, in June 2021, after years of campaigning by Oceana, NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule to protect over 25,000 miles of deep-sea coral habitat from destructive fishing gear. Furthermore, in 2024, they successfully campaigned for the implementation of the Benthic law in Chile, which will improve the management of kelp, protecting more than 50 seafloor species.

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Oceana through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing items from their online gift store or by signing one of their numerous petitions to protect the ocean and its wildlife.

6

Wildlife Conservation Society: We Stand for Wildlife

Logo for Wildlife Conservation Society
We Stand for Wildlife: Resilience | WCS Gala

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Their transparency & ratings:

The Wildlife Conservation Society holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Silver Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“Saving wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature.”

Wildlife Conservation Society

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What they do:

The Wildlife Conservation Society utilizes the knowledge of their scientists, consisting of 170 PhDs and DVMs, to improve conservation efforts for a range of threatened species worldwide. They do this by working with local governments to increase the size of national parks and protected wilderness areas, as well as working to prevent poaching through the use of SMART conservation tools. They focus their efforts on protecting the most endangered wide-ranging species including elephants, sharks, turtles, and big cats. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Today, the Wildlife Conservation Society actively protects wildlife and wild places in over 70 countries, as well as across the oceans, to conserve endangered species. For example, through their Climate Adaptation Fund, the charity has donated $21.9 million to support wildlife adaptation in the US in response to global warming. The charity has also helped nations and communities to build and manage 245 national wildlife reserves

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to the Wildlife Conservation Society through their website. You can also support the charity by symbolically adopting an animal or by signing one of their numerous petitions to support wildlife conservation initiatives.

7

Fauna & Flora International: Saving Nature Together

Logo for Fauna & Flora International
Fauna & Flora: Saving Nature Together

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Their transparency & ratings:

Fauna & Flora International holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“To conserve threatened species and ecosystems worldwide.”

Fauna & Flora International

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What they do:

Fauna & Flora International tackles habitat decline, as well as threats to endangered wildlife. They do this through advocacy, anti-poaching efforts, and by working alongside local communities. For example, in the Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam, they provide technical support and scientific monitoring tools to rangers. They have also launched their innovative situational crime prevention toolkit to address the illegal wildlife trade. Furthermore, the charity is supporting the building of vital wildlife corridors across Kenya, Sudan, and Mozambique to protect the endangered African wild dog

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What they’ve achieved:

Today, Fauna & Flora International actively protects 55 million hectares of wildlife habitat across 48 countries worldwide. For example, in 2022 alone, the charity worked with 109 endangered species, benefiting a further 193 species. In the same year, they protected and released 14,000 turtle hatchlings and conducted 43 projects to better understand and end the illegal wildlife trade. Furthermore, they developed action plans to guide the conservation of 20 vulnerable species

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Fauna & Flora International through their website. You can also support the charity by purchasing items from their online shop.

8

Birdlife International: Stop the Decline

Logo for Birdlife International
We are BirdLife

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Their transparency & ratings:

According to their financial report, Birdlife International spent 94% of their expenditure on charitable activities and 5.9% on fundraising.

“To conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources.”

Birdlife International

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What they do:

Birdlife International protects all bird species around the world through their network of bird watchers, scientists, and volunteers. For example, through their innovative Data Zone tool, they track endangered bird species and identify vital biodiversity areas to formulate effective conservation management plans. Furthermore, they have developed AVISTEP, an Avian Sensitivity Tool for Energy Planning that can be used to determine where renewable energy could negatively impact bird populations so that plans can be amended accordingly.

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What they’ve achieved:

Today, Birdlife International is a global organization consisting of over 122 national and international partners and 2 million scientists and bird lovers, working together to save all bird species. Since their founding, they have identified and documented over 13,000 key bird biodiversity areas and are now the official scientific source of information on bird species for the IUCN Red List. For example, in 2021, the charity established 595,000 km2 of ocean as a new Marine Protected Area along the North Atlantic Current, which is home to nearly 5 million birds from 21 species. This area is also one of the most important ocean habitats for migratory bird species in the world

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to Birdlife International through their website. You can also support the charity by becoming a Species Champion or by fundraising.

9

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: Safeguarding Future Generations of Wildlife

Logo for Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
45 Years Protecting Wildlife and Habitats in Kenya | Sheldrick Trust

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Their transparency & ratings:

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust exists to protect Africa’s wildlife and to preserve habitats for the future of all wild species.”

Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

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What they do:

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trusts’ Orphans’ Project has achieved worldwide acclaim for its successful elephant and rhino rescue and rehabilitation program. In conjunction with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the charity also runs eighteen anti-poaching teams to apprehend poachers who threaten endangered wildlife in the Greater Tsavo Conservation Area, the Meru National Park, and the Mau Forest. In addition, the charity runs five mobile veterinary units and a quick response team to tend to injured wild animals across Kenya.

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What they’ve achieved:

Since their founding, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has successfully raised 320 orphaned elephants and 17 orphaned rhinos through their Orphans’ Project. Furthermore, 59 calves have been born to wild living orphan elephants thanks to the work of the charity and their veterinary units have attended 11,529 cases of injured wild animals across Kenya. The amount of land now protected by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust covers 2 million acres and they have erected 450 kilometers of fence line to reduce human-wild animal conflict.

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust through their website. You also have the option to foster an orphaned rhino or elephant in their care. Additionally, you can purchase any of the much-needed items on the charity’s wishlist.

10

Pan African Sanctuary Alliance: Caring for Africa’s Primates

Logo for Pan African Sanctuary Alliance
The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance - Who We Are

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Their transparency & ratings:

The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar.

“A future where Africa’s great apes and monkeys can once again flourish in the wild.”

Pan African Sanctuary Alliance

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What they do:

The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance unites 23 primate sanctuaries and wildlife centers with a global network of like-minded organizations and specialists to protect Africa’s endangered primates. Their support includes emergency funding during crises, as well as a wide range of conservation leadership and primate care programs to train the next generation of conservation experts. The charity also employs local anti-poaching patrols to combat the illegal bushmeat trade. 

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What they’ve achieved:

Today, the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance cares for over 3,082 primates across 13 countries in Africa. For example, in 2022, the charity rescued over 500 wild animals from trafficking and cruelty, released 307 into the wild, and offered veterinary care to 3,400 endangered primates. In the same year, they launched their End the Trade in Primates Campaign to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable primates as hunting trophies, pets, and entertainers. They also donated $47,000 in emergency support to their network of sanctuaries to further protect the endangered primates in their care. 

Ways to contribute:

You can donate directly to the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance through their website. You can also support the charity by becoming a Primate Protector or by signing their Primates Are Not Pets petition

How Can You Select the Best Charities to Support?

The charities on the list are, we deem, the best charities that fight for endangered animals. However, you may have a particular charity you want to support. Let’s look at what you can do to ensure your contribution has the most significant impact.

  • Check out the charity website. Charities that are worthy of your donations are transparent in their mission and their figures. Familiarize yourself with their history, mission, and values. Their website usually is the best place to start.
  • Identify the charity’s mission. Without a goal, the charity is likely to fail. If the charity’s mission isn’t clear, it’s probably worth looking for a charity that does have a clear mission. 
  • Check if the charity has measurable goals. An effective charity has clear goals. You want to know your donation will help the charity reach its goals. But if it doesn’t have targets, it’s likely to fail or squander your gift. The charity should be able to account for its spending and supply evidence of the work they do.
  • Assess the successes or goals the charity has achieved. You wouldn’t invest in a business if it kept missing its targets. In the same way, charities are like this too. If no one is assessing a charity’s progress in reaching its targets, the chances are they’re not making a substantial positive change.
  • Check the charity’s financials and stats. Trustworthy organizations will publish financial statements and reports each year. Some might be exempt from having to do so, but they should be able to provide them to public members who are interested in donating.
  • Locate sources who work with or benefit from the charity. Word of mouth and first-hand experience of a charity’s work lets you know the charity’s quality. If you’re able to do so, check out the charity for yourself or speak to someone familiar with it. This way, your donation will go to the right place. 

How Can You Best Support These Charities?

After you’ve made your decision, it’s time for you to decide on how you’d like to help the charities you’ve chosen. Check how you can help – each charity runs specific programs that have unique aims. Find out what the aim of such programs is and whether they are right for you. 

Here are a few ways you can help your chosen charity:

  • Donate money. You can find donation pages on the website of most charities. Your donation can be a one-time payment, or you can set it to be deducted regularly at different intervals. You can mostly pay via credit card, but some charities also take PayPal or Bitcoin payments.
  • Buy their official merchandise. Charities can also raise money by selling merchandise. So, you can support them by buying the mugs, shirts, caps, pens, pencils, and any other such items they may be selling. Ideally, you should buy as much as you can to share and spread the word about the charity’s activities.
  • Engage in volunteer work. As you’ve seen from our descriptions above, some charities engage in a lot of local and grassroots programs. You can help by taking on and organizing the program in your local area.
  • Help their fundraising efforts. You can spread the word about the charity in your workplace, school, church, etc., and hold creative fundraising drives on social media or offline within your small circles.
  • Share their stories. Most charities have compelling stories that you can share with your audience to attract more people to the cause.

Final Thoughts

Now it is up to you to select the charity that resonates most with you. And whichever charity you end up choosing and contributing to, we are sure that they will immensely appreciate your support. Hopefully, the information within this article has made this selection process a bit easier for you to support charities dedicated to fighting for endangered animals—based on the causes that matter most to you.

Stay impactful,

PS: Finally, I want to leave you with a thought-provoking TED talk from Dan Pallotta, a leading philanthropic activist and fundraiser, about what is wrong with the way we think about charities – and what we can do about it:

The way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan Pallotta

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