Conservation

The mission of the EDGE of Existence programme is to prevent the extinction of the world's most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species.

Click here for more information on EDGE species.

The first step to achieving this mission is to raise awareness of these species.  While efforts to conserve large charismatic species such as elephants and rhinos are well-known, many other threatened species are sliding towards extinction unnoticed.  Few people have ever heard of a bumblebee bat (one of the world’s smallest mammals) or the Chinese giant salamander (the largest living amphibian – as tall as an adult human).  We aim to raise awareness of poorly-known EDGE species through our website, events, media reports and close encounters at ZSL London Zoo which is home to a number of EDGE mammals and amphibians.

Only when we are aware these species exist and need our
help, can we begin to conserve them.

The next crucial step is to study the species in its natural habitat to determine the main threats so that informed conservation decisions can be made.  Scientific research is essential for guiding effective conservation.  Research provides insight into the status, trends and distribution of EDGE species and will help to define dominant threat processes.  This information is essential for conservation planning.Study in
the field also provides an excellent opportunity to bring the species to the attention of local communities and stakeholders,
enabling a participatory approach to conservation.
The information collected may then be used to produce a Conservation Action Plan.  Sometimes the conservation
actions needed are not always the most obvious solutions.

Conservation programmes must then be implemented following the guidelines and recommendations made by researchers in the field and local stakeholders. Conservation programmes should involve – and provide benefits to – local communities so that they can continue to protect their natural resources into the future, and benefit from the sustainable management of their environment.

We need your support to conserve EDGE species.  We are currently fundraising to implement targeted conservation actions for 10 of the top 100 EDGE amphibians and 10 of the top 100 EDGE mammals, our Focal Species.  We hope that by highlighting the actions necessary to save these unique and threatened species we will be able to raise sufficient resources to secure their future.

Please help us by making a donation today.