Poaching and global wildlife crimes are some of the top reasons many species join the endangered list every year. Elephants, tigers, and rhinos are among the most critically endangered species that have been targeted by powerful animal poaching rings across the world.

In 2013 alone, over 790 rhinos were poached in South Africa, nearly 62 percent of African elephants were killed in the past 12 years, and the diminishing Asian Tiger population is hovering in the balance.

According to the WWF, illegal wildlife trade is “the fifth most profitable illicit trade in the world, estimated at up to $10 billion annually,” ranking behind drug and weapons trafficking.

Chances are you feel pretty helpless against those statistics. It’s easy to sympathize with these animals, but it can feel like these crimes are a world away from your own life. If you don’t live in Africa or Asia, they may as well be. But that does not mean you don’t have the power to help stop these horrible crimes!

In recent years, the world’s governments have ramped up their efforts to protect these illustrious animals as the result of growing public demand for stricter laws and measures. There are many things you can do from the comfort of your own home to help save animals in need across the world. If you are a more proactive person, there are options for you too!

If you’re in need of a little inspiration to determine how you can help save these animals, check out this list, and pass it on to all your friends!

Petitions

1. Sign this petition to aid Anti-Poaching Efforts for Rhinos.

2. Petition the President of Kenya to declare poaching a National Disaster.

3. Get on board with Ivory for Elephant’s petitions to enact wildlife protection policy change.

4.  Sign the World Wildlife’s Pledge to end wildlife crime. Pledge never to buy illegal animal products and advocate for the rights of animals around the world.

Donations

5.  Back a Ranger. Donate through the WWF’s Back a Ranger Project to benefit the men and women who put themselves on the front lines against animal poachers.

6.  Join the African Wildlife Foundation‘s three pronged plan to restore the natural habitats, educate local communities, and conserve wildlife.

7. Help stop wildlife crime by donating to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Volunteer

8. Host a fundraiser for the Environmental Investigation Agency.

9. Check out volunteer opportunities with Protrak Anti-Poaching Unit.

10. Volunteer with the International Anti-Poaching Foundation, learn anti-poaching techniques and aid efforts to protect wildlife.

The best, BEST thing you can do to help end poaching across the world is to educate yourself on the facts and to share what you’ve learned with everyone you know!

Image source: Merbabu / Wikipedia Commons

Empty The Cages by Tiny Rescue: Animal Collection

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
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• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your own food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!