our
story
WHO WE ARE
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) is a leading conservation NGO and Public Benefit Organisation protecting Africa’s biodiversity since 1973. Our story began with three passionate conservationists and has grown into a movement of over 100 experts working across southern and East Africa.
Our Three Strategic Pillars:
Saving Species: Preventing extinctions through research and monitoring
Conserving Habitats: Protecting critical ecosystems and wildlife corridors
Benefitting People: Partnering with communities for sustainable coexistence
Our Conservation Impact:
- Human-wildlife conflict reduction
- Threatened species protection
- Landscape-scale conservation
- Community empowerment programs
- Conservation training initiatives
From our humble beginnings to becoming a trusted partner for governments, businesses and local communities, our story continues through every species saved and every habitat protected.
+110
Pack members
13
programmes
21
countries
OUR history
In 1973, Clive Walker and his wife Conita travelled to Texas for a wildlife art exhibition. Inspired by the potential of art-funded conservation, they returned to South Africa determined to act after witnessing cheetah skins sold roadside in Johannesburg. Using his artistic talent, he sold 250 limited-edition prints of his cheetah painting to fund early conservation efforts. This initiative marked the beginning of what would become the Endangered Wildlife Trust, co-founded with Neville Anderson and James Clarke.
Born from this vision, the Endangered Wildlife Trust launched its first three projects focusing on brown hyaenas, vultures, and cheetahs. Founders chose the cheetah’s pawprint as the iconic logo – a symbol that still represents ethical conservation today.
From these humble beginnings, the EWT has grown into a 100-strong team working across 13 programmes in 21 countries. What began as one artist’s response to wildlife trade has become a leading force in African conservation.
1973
established
3
pack members
3
projects
some of our landmark achievements
saving
species
Since 1973, our targeted interventions have achieved measurable improvements for threatened species across southern Africa. Notable successes include:
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Pickersgill’s Reed Frog: Upgraded from Critically Endangered to Endangered
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Red-billed Oxpecker: Reclassified from Near Threatened to Least Concern
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Lesser Kestrel: Global collaboration helped move from Vulnerable to Least Concern
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Cheetah: South African populations outside Kruger National Park more than doubled (217 in 2011 to 470 in 2022)
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African Wild Dog: Regional numbers increased from 300 to approximately 550
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Cranes: Wattled Crane populations grew by 60%, while Blue Cranes increased from 25,500 (2007) to 30,000
Each status improvement represents years of dedicated research, habitat protection, and community engagement – proving that science-based conservation delivers results.
conserving
habitats
The Endangered Wildlife Trust has implemented groundbreaking habitat conservation initiatives across southern Africa, delivering measurable ecological impact:
Grassland and Wetland Conservation
Since 2016, the Endangered Wildlife Trust has secured 151,652 hectares of priority habitat, with an additional 86,305 hectares under negotiation. Notably, our pioneering carbon trading initiative with WeAct has created sustainable funding for grassland conservation by incentivising farmers.
Vulture Safe Zone Initiative
Furthermore, in 2021, we established Africa’s first Vulture Safe Zone in the Karoo (23,000 km²), implementing targeted measures to protect endangered vultures and restore their historic ranges.
Landscape-Scale Protection
- Focused on maintaining ecological connectivity across protected areas
- Developed science-based management plans for vulnerable habitats
- Built partnerships with landowners, communities and private sector stakeholders
Key Conservation Outcomes
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- Created long-term funding solutions for habitat protection through carbon credits
- Delivered direct protection for threatened ecosystems
- Restored critical spaces for endangered species recovery
benefitting
people
The Endangered Wildlife Trust integrates conservation with sustainable development through comprehensive community programmes:
Education for Sustainability
- Through our Guardians of the Future programme, we provide teachers with curriculum-aligned conservation resources. Beyond education, we’ve empowered communities through:
- Rural development projects engaging 2,996 members
- Healthcare initiatives reaching 1,109 individuals through HIV/AIDS awareness programmes
- Skills Development Training for 559 participants
- Arts & Sports Programmes, involving 3,059 community members in cultural and sporting activities.
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- Additionally, our Women’s Health sessions educated 440 learners, while COVID-19 relief supported 45,000 people in 2020.
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COVID-19 Response
- Provided critical support to nearly 45,000 pandemic-affected individuals in 2020
Key Features
- Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Combines conservation education with community wellbeing
- Delivers measurable social impact alongside ecological protection
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