Fauna & Flora International was established over a century ago. Founded in 1903, it was the world’s first international conservation organization and the pioneering work of its founders in Africa led to the creation of numerous protected areas, including Kruger and Serengeti National Parks.

Expanding beyond its African origins, Fauna & Flora International succeeded in giving conservation a voice on the international stage, drawing worldwide attention to the plight of rare and endangered species.

It was instrumental in establishing much of today’s global and local conservation infrastructure, including organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature, IUCN - The World Conservation Union, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora and conservation instruments such as the Red List of endangered species.

Fauna & Flora International has always been a groundbreaker; it is renowned for its innovative, landmark programmes, many of which have come to be regarded as classic examples of conservation practice. The translocation of the Arabian oryx in 1962, and its successful reintroduction ten years later, saved this species from extinction in the wild. The mountain gorilla project launched in Rwanda in the 1970s is regarded as one of the most successful ventures of its kind. In 1986 the Society set up a project to promote sustainable harvesting and rural propagation of wild bulbs in Turkey. It remains successful to this day. In 2000 Fauna & Flora International launched a programme designed to ensure that biodiversity issues feature prominently on the agenda of the world’s blue chip companies. This was a first in conservation.

People and the environment are often trapped together in a downward spiral. Impoverished communities may consume the few natural resources available to them, which can result in greater poverty, deforestation, degraded soils, polluted water, disease and environmental crisis. A distinctive feature of Fauna & Flora International is our focus on working with local communities to help them develop the capacity to conserve their own biodiversity whilst also improving their well being - long into the future.