Current Projects

Protecting rainforests around the world
In all our projects in the tropics, we engage, participate, and support for implementing rainforest protection and restoration including the creation of rainforest protected areas. ESI has already protected thousands of hectares of rainforest. Rainforest is essential for the survival of human being.

Protecting and restoring mangrove forest
More than 40% of the world’s mangroves are already gone. Mangroves play a crucial role in preventing coastal erosion and maintaining fish diversity. They are home of many coastal fish, shellfish species, endangered migratory birds, and mammals. Through community based-projects, ESI protects and restores (planting) mangrove forest for the benefit of the local fishermen and biodiversity. To date, we have already planted thousands of trees and brought back mangrove forests at 37 sites.

Creating vital marine protected areas
This project will create fifteen coral reef marine protected areas in the Coral Triangle protecting at least 230 species of rare corals and 120 species of fish including rare sharks. Each protected area will cover at least 60 hectares of seascape and will protect endangered sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, coral species and many more threatened marine animals.

Fighting illicit wildlife trafficking
The world is dealing with an unprecedented spike in illegal wildlife trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains. For example, poaching threatens the last of wild tigers that number around 3,890. Wildlife crime is a big business. Protected species are caught or harvested from the wild and then sold illegally as food, pets, ornamental plants, leather, tourist ornaments and medicine. Stamping out wildlife crime is a priority for Endangered Species International because it’s the largest direct threat to the future of many of the world’s most threatened species. It is second only to habitat destruction in overall threats against species survival. Stamping out wildlife crime is a priority for Endangered Species International (ESI) because it’s the largest direct threat to the future of many of the world’s most threatened species. It is second only to habitat destruction in overall threats against species survival.

Supporting our Keepers of the wild
Endangered Species International Guardians and Keepers of the wild work tirelessly in dangerous conditions to patrol and secure our protected areas and create new ones. Their critical role requires surveying land, preventing illegal logging and hunting, monitoring wildlife populations, removing snares and traps, protecting ancestral lands of tribal communities, rescuing distressed wildlife and more.

Remove plastics from ocean
The equivalent of a garbage truck is emptying its rubbish into the sea every minute impacting nearly 700 marine species. Through this project, we clean up marine areas in the Pacific Ocean where floating plastics are posing big threat to wildlife and ocean ecosystem. We remove 400 pounds of floating plastic per day and dispose them properly for their reuse when possible, reducing the mortality of marine wildlife. Further, we conduct active plastic awareness at to local community level.

Indigenous people saving the tarsier and restoring rainforest
ESI works hand in hand with the B’laan Tribe to protect the endangered tarsier, rainforest, and vanishing indigenous culture in southern Philippines. Activities include training for local communities, education on biodiversity, rainforest conservation and restoration, tarsier research, and creation of a wildlife sanctuary.

Safeguarding gorillas and rainforest
To this day, gorillas are still hunted for their meat and their forests are cut down. Endangered Species International is deeply committed in saving gorillas and their habitats in the Republic of Congo. Our strong local team is working closely with local communities and hunters in remote villages to stop the killing of gorillas.

Saving endangered animals from bushmeat trade, Congo
In the Congo and Republic Democratic of Congo, the bushmeat trade is a leading threat to many endangered animals such as chimpanzees, bonobos, and smaller primates. We are collecting essential data on the growing illegal trade at various markets in Congo to take effective actions. Our team is engaged to show that illegal hunting of endangered species such as apes can be stopped.

Coral Reef Protection and Restoration
Corals are keystone species of the reef ecosystem in the same way that trees are keystone species of forest ecosystems. When corals are lost then fish vanish too, along with revenues from both tourism and fishing. With 231 coral reef species under threat from human activities, we restore and protect coral reefs around the world.

Saving endemic endangered fish, India
Western Ghats in southern India is a biodiversity hotspot where endemic and endangered species are numerous. ESI is fostering research and conservation activities to preserve endemic freshwater fish like the Denison’s Barb (Puntius denisonii) threatened in part by open-access and unmanaged fishery for international aquarium trade. In partnership with the Conservation Research Group of St Albert College and local fishermen, various activities will be conducted to preserve freshwater fishes and their rivers.

Stop Dynamite Fishing
ESI is launching a new aggressive initiative to stop dynamite fishing between Malaysia (Borneo) and southern Philippines (Palawan). “We are implementing a new approach that was not explored by other NGOs in this region, it is time to stop illegal dynamiting of our prestigious marine life” ESI president Pierre Fidenci.

Giving hope to the bluefin tuna
The survival tipping point of the bluefin tuna has been reached! The increasing rarity of bluefin tuna and worldwide growing taste for sushi are sending the bluefin to the brink of extinction. Together we can save the bluefin!

Saving the African manatee and the Senegal River
Less than 10,000 African manatees are left in Western Africa. Threats to the African manatee include hunting, construction of dams, and destruction of coastal areas from mangrove harvesting and siltation. ESI is conducting an innovative community-based conservation awareness program along the Senegal River to protect the manatees of Senegal. At the same time, we are working closely with all local tribes to create the first African reserve to protect the manatees.

Protecting the endangered Balabac mouse deer from becoming extinct
The Balabac mouse deer is the world’s smallest deer. It is found only in one small island in southern Philippines near Borneo. Deforestation and over-hunting are the two major threats to this species. ESI is strongly engaged in protecting the Balalac mouse deer throughout research, conservation awareness, rainforest protection, and providing suitable development alternative (e.g., organic farming, solar energy development).

Philippine Forest Turtle
The Philippine forest turtle is one of the most endangered turtle on earth. It is currently found in only two islands in southern Philippines. ESI is conducting surveys to localize the remaining wild populations to establish core conservation areas of this endemic and rare turtle. At the same time, we are aggressively conducting innovative conservation awareness programs. Further, we are working with those who illegally collect the Philippine forest turtle to protect them instead, throughout ecotourism (alternative income) and conservation awareness.

Extinct Species Project
The known number of recent extinct species is 905 (as of 2009) and hundreds of thousands are suspected to have vanished forever. We provide comprehensive information and data on recently extinct species worldwide to better understand species losses and their impacts on human life and ecosystems. The information is free of use and available for schools and universities. Up to date information are also posted on the ESI website.