International Animal Rescue is an international organization dedicated to the conservation and welfare of animals, committed to building a world where wildlife lives free from suffering and coexists with humans in peace. The organization uses a set of actions – such as rescue, rehabilitation, habitat conservation, and work with local communities – to address both the problems facing vulnerable wildlife and the drivers of biodiversity loss and environmental destruction. It is worth noting that International Animal Rescue is running programs not only in one country but in the entire world. Some of those countries include India, Indonesia, Armenia, and Costa Rica, where the organization has been assisting in the rescue, rehabilitation, and release, wherever possible, of the animals into their natural habitat. Apart from that, International Animal Rescue has been working with government organizations and local communities to run projects intended to protect forests and combat illegal wildlife trade.

Key Initiatives by International Animal Rescue

Conservation & Community

International Animal Rescue employs a holistic strategy in terms of conservation, which involves protecting animals, maintaining essential habitats and ensuring that the communities become engaged stakeholders in their environment. The conservation and community programs run by the organization tackle the very causes of biodiversity loss, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict through education, sustainable livelihood creation, scientific intervention and collaboration with governments and local groups.

One of the most popular projects of the organization is Power of Mama in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, where, in collaboration with YIARI, International Animal Rescue has been helping to create the first all-female forest firefighters of Borneo. The women help in patrolling the forests, fighting fires, restoring peatlands, promoting sustainable land use and protecting endangered orangutans.

The organization's Stop the Shocks initiative in Costa Rica targets the issue of wildlife electrocutions as a result of power infrastructure in the country. The project collaborates with the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE).

The organization is also working to curb wildlife trafficking in Indonesia through the use of a One Health strategy. It works hand-in-hand with YIARI in conducting investigations into wildlife crime, improving law enforcement, advocating for improved policies on wildlife protection, and offering educational programs that promote sustainable practices of wildlife use.

All this serves to show the conservation efforts that International Animal Rescue is making towards ensuring long-term impact on conservation through species protection, ecosystem restoration, environmental hazards reduction, and enabling communities to work towards a better future.

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation

International Animal Rescue provides specialist services in animal rescues, veterinary care, and rehabilitation in several countries, striving to rehabilitate injured, orphaned, and displaced animals, releasing them into the wild where it is feasible to do so. With the increase of deforestation, urbanization, and conflicts between humans and wildlife, the organization works together with local experts on emergency rescues and the provision of care to the endangered animals.

The Wildlife Rescue and Education Center in Nosara, Costa Rica, has rescued animals suffering from electrocution, road accidents, domestic animal attacks, loss of habitat, and forest fires. The center has attended to over 130 species of animals, including howler monkeys, parrots, and sea turtles.

In Indonesia, International Animal Rescue collaborates with YIARI to run one of the biggest orangutan rescue and rehabilitation projects in the world. The rescued orangutans are treated with veterinary care, quarantined, rehabilitated behaviourally, and trained in the forest before their release into their natural rainforest habitat. The Orangutan Conservation Center in West Kalimantan houses a veterinary center, a nursery, a forest school, and pre-release islands for the preparation of the animals to lead their life independently in the wild. All these projects reflect the dedication of International Animal Rescue to saving the endangered species.

Habitats, Biodiversity & Climate

International Animal Rescue embraces the principles of the ecosystem approach for its conservation work, realising that the existence of wildlife is dependent upon good habitats, strong biodiversity, and climate resiliency. In partnership with governments, local communities, and conservation organizations, the group provides environmental programs that help restore damaged ecosystems, secure endangered animals, and support sustainable livelihoods, while taking into consideration the impact of climate change.

The program of International Animal Rescue in relation to dugong and marine ecosystem conservation in Indonesia works together with the local organization YIARI and aims at the protection of vulnerable seagrass meadows, mangroves, and coral reefs.

Mangrove conservation is another area where International Animal Rescue takes the lead as it undertakes mangrove restoration projects in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It works on the restoration of coastal mangroves that play an important role in promoting biodiversity, storing large amounts of carbon, and preventing erosion and extreme weather conditions.

At Batutegi Protection Forest in Sumatra, it helps support YIARI in conserving one of the most vital biodiversity hotspots in Indonesia. By means of conducting community-based forest protection, use of technology for tracking animals, anti-poaching campaigns, sustainable agriculture projects, and conservation education, it has been successful in decreasing deforestation and illegal activities, along with recovering critically endangered species like the Sumatran tiger and the Sunda Pangolin.

Alan Knight - President

Protecting wildlife requires collective action, innovative conservation and empowered communities working together to create a sustainable future for people and nature.