GVI has been involved in conservation and addressing threats to our marine and terrestrial wildlife for over 20 years. We use specific criteria to guide which endangered species we focus our efforts and resources on:

• Does the endangered species form a key part of a food chain?
• Does the endangered species help the stability or regeneration of habitats?
• Is the endangered species important for the health and livelihood of local communities?
• Do endangered species face human conflict?

What endangered species do GVI’s wildlife conservation internships focus on?

Endangered species in Africa:

• Lemurs in Madagascar.
• Chameleons in Madagascar.
• Cheetahs in South Africa.
• Leopards in South Africa.
• Lions in South Africa.
• Rhinos in South Africa.
• African elephants in South Africa.
• Giant tortoises in Seychelles.
• Green turtles in Seychelles.
• Hawksbill turtles in Seychelles.
• Loggerhead turtles in Seychelles.

Endangered species in Europe:

• Whales in the Canary Islands, Spain.
• Bottlenose dolphins in the Canary Islands, Spain.

Endangered species in Asia:

• Asian elephants in Thailand.
• White-handed gibbons in Thailand.
• Green turtles in Thailand.
• Hawksbill turtles Thailand.
• Loggerhead turtles in Thailand.

Endangered species in Central & South America:

• Jaguars in Costa Rica.
• Green turtles Costa Rica.
• Hawksbill turtles in Costa Rica.
• Leatherback turtles in Costa Rica.
• Loggerhead turtles in Costa Rica.

What kind of work does an endangered species conservation intern do?

• Leading, planning and designing population surveys for endangered species.
• Curbing illegal trade of wildlife species.
• Monitoring population levels within protected areas.
• Assessing density, occupancy and population levels.
• Behavioural studies.
• Acoustic monitoring and data collection.
• Data collection, entry, analysis, interpretation and research writing.
• Camera trapping.
• Contributing towards endangered species policy and strategy.

Why it matters

When a species becomes endangered, it’s a sign that an ecosystem is out of balance. The consequences can be critical and can negatively affect the entire food web, including human food safety. Governments across the world use the IUCN Red List to track the status of endangered species, using this information to reduce biodiversity loss. This is essential for preserving the planet and the health of its inhabitants, including wildlife, farmed animals, and humans.

We conduct a range of different activities that support conservation efforts to protect endangered species, including:

• Endangered species and biodiversity monitoring.
• Raising awareness about endangered species.
• Habitat protection and restoration.

Who are our endangered species conservation research partners?

We work with governments, non-profit organisations, international organisations and local communities to contribute towards growing the populations of endangered species. We also conduct awareness campaigns aimed at getting more people involved in the conservation of endangered species.