Don't Let Congress Cut Funding to Rhinos, Elephants

The U.S. government has requested reduced funding for special funds that help conserve rhinos, elephants, great apes, tigers, sea turtles and neotropical migratory birds. But these species are facing increased pressure – from poaching, disease, habitat loss and many other serious threats – and need even more support.

The Multinational Species Coalition, of which AWF is a member, is requesting a total of $18 million for the Asian Elephant Fund; the African Elephant Fund; the Great Apes Fund; the Marine Turtle Fund; the Rhino-Tiger Fund; and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Fund. However, the administration wants to reduce these funds to a total of $8.25 million -- a reduction of more than $10 million. These programs need much more funding, not less.

In spite of their modest funding, these programs continue to be extremely effective. They have supported law enforcement, scientific monitoring, habitat preservation, disease prevention and public education in the countries where these species are found. Thanks to 16 years of grants for anti-poaching patrols, habitat protection, animal population surveys, disease prevention and many other conservation measures, some populations of these creatures have held their own or increased in number. Many, however, remain highly endangered because the threats are so large and the funding has been limited.

Congress created these funds so our country could give a hand to the places where these animals live. Now, tell Congress to restore the funding and to provide the additional support that these creatures desperately need. The deadline for public comments is soon: call or write by March 10, 2008 to help make a difference.

Please speak out now. Thank you for your help,

Dr. Helen Gichohi, President - AWF Wildlife Foundation

Call your members of Congress and urge them not to cut support to the Multinational Species Conservation Funds. You can reach them via the capitol switchboard at +1-202-224-3121. To send letters or emails, find the right address by clicking here. Remember, the deadline for your important comments is March 10.

If you would like to send a letter or email to your members of Congress, you can use the template below:

Dear (insert the names of your members of Congress here): As your constituent and someone who cares about protecting wildlife around the globe, I urge you to request $2.25 million each for the Asian Elephant Fund, the African Elephant Fund, the Great Apes Fund, and the Marine Turtle Fund; $3 million for the Rhino-Tiger Fund; and $6 million for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Fund when you submit your personal request to the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee for fiscal year 2009.

Please also show your support by signing the Dear Colleague letter being circulated by Senator Lieberman and Representative George Miller in support of these programs.

The administration wants to reduce these funds to a total of $8.25 million; this is a reduction of more than $4 million from last year's level. These programs need much more funding, not less. Poaching, disease and habitat loss are among the many continuing threats these animals face. The countries that are home to these creatures struggle with poverty, insurgencies and natural disasters, making it hard for them to manage conservation programs. As a result, grant requests have far outstripped the available resources.

These modestly funded programs have been extremely effective over the years. They've supported law enforcement, scientific monitoring, habitat preservation, disease prevention and public education in the countries where the species are found. Time after time, these programs have helped improve the status of imperiled animal populations, from black rhinos in Africa, to tigers in the Russian Far East, to mountain gorillas in East Africa, to elephants and rhinos in South Asia.

These funds are matched by donors in public-private partnerships, leveraging three times the U.S. contribution. In addition to directly saving threatened animals, the funds contribute to economic and domestic stability by providing employment and education for the local people of these places. By protecting forests, which can absorb and store immense amounts of carbon dioxide, these funds also help control climate change.

Please do all you can to secure this vitally important funding and to protect these magnificent creatures.

Sincerely,
Insert your name and address here

To find the addresses and emails of your members of Congress, click here.