Conservation

Countering Poaching and Conflict

All around the world, millions of wild animals are being killed to meet the demands of black markets and as part of human-wildlife conflicts.

Protecting Wildlife

We’re committed to confronting illegal poaching and preventing human-wildlife conflicts by developing software that helps protected areas monitor and safeguard wildlife. We also partner in anti-trafficking efforts, generate awareness, and advocate for policy changes around the world — and locally in Washington state.

Data Illegal Trafficking Community Empowerment Awareness

Protecting Wildlife and Habitats

Savannah elephant populations have declined by 30% between 2007 and 2014. We’re committed to preserving biodiversity by collaborating with the people who most need help. Together, we develop technologies that assist protected area managers, governments, and NGOs across Africa.

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EarthRanger

EarthRanger is an easy-to-use software solution that helps protected area managers make informed, conservation-related operational decisions. By combining real-time data from ranger patrols, remote imaging, and various sensors, information can be analyzed in-context to identify historical trends, animal movements, and ecological changes.

Founding Partners
Save the Elephants, Grumeti Fund, Mara Elephant Project, SMART Partnership, Frankfurt Zoological Society, African Parks, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, Northern Rangelands Trust, National Geographic Society and other partners

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Curbing Illegal Trafficking

Poaching is wildlife crime. A UN estimate sets the value of worldwide trafficking at billions of dollars each year. We work to stop poaching and trafficking activities that threaten biodiversity by encouraging government collaboration and promoting the sharing of data that leads to arrests.

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African Wildlife Anti-Trafficking Partnerships

Poachers and wildlife trafficking rings pose a major threat to African wildlife. We’re working with the conservation community to increase the pressure on bad actors while empowering local law enforcement officials with the data and evidence tools needed to perform successful arrests. We also collaborate with philanthropies, governmental departments, and NGOs to promote the sharing of data and other information across 10 different African borders.*

Partners
Semantic AI, Wildlife Crime Prevention, PAMS Foundation, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust

XyloTron

XyloTron is a wood identification system that uses a custom-designed imaging device, image analysis, and statistical processing software to identify more than 150 species of wood — all from a laptop. This is critical, because illegal logging decimates habitats and threatens biodiversity. With XyloTron, authorities now have a way to consistently and accurately identify wood types when they pass through customs.*

Partners
Forest Products Laboratory at the University of Washington

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Sustained Conservation Efforts

One-time investments can be effective, but we know poaching activities can ebb and flow. We focus on creating sustained support of conservation efforts to ensure wildlife is protected.

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Conservation South Luangwa

Since 2014, our support has enabled Conservation South Luangwa to conduct anti-poaching training exercises and enhance their operations and routine activities by investing in additional resources such as vehicles, canine units, aerial support, and ranger camps.

Partners
Mfuwe Lodge, Conservation South Luangwa, Zambia Carnivore Program

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Driving Awareness and Global Action

To combat biodiversity loss, we’re increasing the awareness of conservation and poaching issues by creating compelling films and other campaigns targeting the general public. We also support policies that preserve wildlife and strengthen the enforcement of anti-trafficking laws.

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I-1401

In Washington State, we sponsored I-1401, a successful voter initiative that increased the penalties for possessing, purchasing, or distributing products made from 10 of the most-trafficked and endangered animals. This initiative was a critical step toward creating stronger national and international policies need to protect endangered animals.

CITES

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments that is used to regulate and protect wildlife and habitats. In 2016, we shared the results of The Great Elephant Census and supported the push for CITES to pass a resolution calling on all countries to close domestic ivory markets.

Partners
Wildlife Conservation Society , Save the Elephants

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"Racing Extinction"

In “Racing Extinction,” a team of artists and activists exposes the hidden world of extinction with never-before-seen images that will change the way we see the planet. Two worlds drive extinction across the globe, potentially resulting in the loss of half of all species. The international wildlife trade creates bogus markets at the expense of creatures that have survived on this planet for millions of years. And the other surrounds us, hiding in plain sight — a world that the oil and gas companies don’t want the rest of us to see.

Partners
Oceanic Preservation Society, Okeanos Foundation for the Sea, Earth Day Texas, JP’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation, Diamond Docs, Insurgent Media

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“The Ivory Game”

“The Ivory Game” is a Netflix Original documentary exposing the dark world of ivory trafficking. The award-winning film was shortlisted for an Academy Award, and screened for audiences along the ivory supply chain — from villages in east Africa to government officials in China.

Partners
Terra Mater, Wildleaks, Big Life Foundation

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"Mind of a Giant"

“Mind of a Giant” is a Vulcan Productions 60-minute TV special that explores the intelligence of elephants by spotlighting their ability to adapt to poaching. Scientists learned elephants are smart enough to change their behavior and culture in response to being hunted.

Partners
Off the Fence, National Geographic Society, ZDF, Save the Elephants, Tsavo National Park

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* Funded by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

Countering Poaching and Conflict

Protecting Wildlife

Protecting Wildlife and Habitats

EarthRanger

Curbing Illegal Trafficking

African Wildlife Anti-Trafficking Partnerships

XyloTron

Sustained Conservation Efforts

Conservation South Luangwa

Driving Awareness and Global Action

I-1401

CITES

"Racing Extinction"

“The Ivory Game”

"Mind of a Giant"

Join the Vulcan Team