Profile Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation

The Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation
The Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation (TWWF) was established in 2001 to help save some of the world's animal species that are the most threatened with extinction. We cannot just sit back and watch animals such as the African Elephant or the Gorilla, the Chimpanzee or the brightly colored Macaw die out. Our children and grandchildren would never forgive us if, as a result of our thoughtlessness, they were unable to see some of those wonders of nature that we can film on safari or see on our walks through the woods and plains. Even the zoos and wildlife reserves, with their many breeding programs, may not be able to save all species from extinction.

Many of the threats to such species are caused by the actions of human beings. The population of the world is still growing fast, so people cut down forests to clear land for crops or to build houses. In such places TWWF works to relocate animals where they can live in peace. Or it tries to persuade authorities to farm or build on land that is not essential for wildlife.

People poach animals, even threatened species such as the gorilla and African elephant, to sell the meat as a delicacy. TWWF tries to find other ways for these hunters to earn a living, for example by finding crops for them to grow for cash.

In some countries animals die from neglect or from ignorance. TWWF helps by setting up new management teams, financing training programs and building sanctuaries for wildlife conservation projects.

The Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation
The Stichting The Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation (TWWF) was established in 2001 to help save some of the world's animal species that are the most threatened with extinction. We cannot just sit back and watch animals such as the African Elephant or the Gorilla, the Chimpanzee or the brightly colored Macaw die out. Our children and grandchildren would never forgive us if, as a result of our thoughtlessness, they were unable to see some of those wonders of nature that we can film on safari or see on our walks through the woods and plains. Even the zoos and wildlife reserves, with their many breeding programs, may not be able to save all species from extinction.

Many of the threats to such species are caused by the actions of human beings. The population of the world is still growing fast, so people cut down forests to clear land for crops or to build houses. In such places TWWF works to relocate animals where they can live in peace. Or it tries to persuade authorities to farm or build on land that is not essential for wildlife.

People poach animals, even threatened species such as the gorilla and African elephant, to sell the meat as a delicacy. TWWF tries to find other ways for these hunters to earn a living, for example by finding crops for them to grow for cash.

In some countries animals die from neglect or from ignorance. TWWF helps by setting up new management teams, financing training programs and building sanctuaries for wildlife conservation projects.

Partners
TWWF works with a number of organizations and individuals who we feel can help us achieve our objectives. Some bring us specific knowledge or expertise related to animal husbandry, running an animal sanctuary or carrying out research into threatened species. Others are financial organizations who like TWWF, use their 'power' to improve the lot of fauna in peril.

Current Partners of TWWF include:

IBED  
RHINO FUND UGANDA

Interview

21 Januari 2007, by Peter Vlam - No, we do not have any reason to be proud. Not yet. The poaching for bushmeat in the northeastern part of DR Congo still goes on. The situation is very bad and it seems to get worse every day.'

Three questions to Hans Wasmoeth, initiator of The Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation, which wants to protect wildlife in The Congo basin.

The Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation wants to help to save some of the world's animal species that are the most threatened with extinction. Can you tell me about your activities to achieve this goal?
Our most important activity is the Mbala! Coffee project in the Bili Region in the North Eastern part of the DRC . Coffee used to be the major cash crop, unfortunately this no more. TWWF has developed a programme where we will provide local people with a guaranteed price for fixed quantities of coffee beans, in exchange for commitments that they will refrain from poaching elephants and other protected wildlife and do all they can to capture and punish those who poach wildlife.
Besides that we want to start a Chimpanzee sanctuary in Kisangani. We find numerous chimpanzee orphans not only in the Bili region, but throughout the DRC. They need a place where they are safe.

You travel to the DRC shortly . What is your biggest challenge there?
To get the project going again. We bought a coffee machine and we want to install the machine. We want to sell the 2006 coffee harvest in Kisangani. Our first attempt was to bring the coffee to Europe, but this was not a success. The coffee –harvest 2003 - never made it out of the Central African Republic. Much of the coffee was stolen as well as many of the bikes  we bought for transporting the coffee bags disappeared. We had 140 of them! . The 2004 harvest is now in Kinshasa. We will sell the coffee locally in Kinshasa
 
What is the biggest problem regarding bushmeat in DR Congo?
There are many. First. There is no law enforcement. Poachers are almost free to go where they want. We now have some rangers in the Bili region who work for us, but they are not armed. It is the government who should provide for the eco-guards , but it has never been a priority sofar. I pretty optimistic though that things will change for the better now that President Kabila got re-elected.. Another problem is the deforestation. The forest is hardly accessible and new roads made by the timber companies , make it really easy for poachers to get deep in the forest. Third. You can hardly blame the people who hunt for bushmeat. The people are poor. There is a lack of perspective for most of them. By shooting one elephant, they make lots and lots of money. And fourth. There is a demand in the cities for bushmeat. It is a delicacy. Education is needed to change this behavior.

Contact Details

Stichting The Wasmoeth Wildlife Foundation
Javastraat 12
3016 CE Rotterdam
The Netherlands

Phone : +31-10-436 2118      
Fax : +31-10-436 2404
Our e-mail address: info@wasmoethwildlife.org
Website: www.wasmoethwildlife.org