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“Adoption” of wild animals or plants is a strategy used by conservation groups to gain attention and raise funds. Understanding how it works
The money collected after the “adoptions” goes to help endangered species. Such guardianship is symbolic, and in fact, of course, one cannot become the owner of these animals. Yes, and it is better for them to live in the wild or under the supervision of specialists.
Who can be adopted?
Manta, or giant sea devil
The waters surrounding the Republic of Maldives are home to the world’s largest known population of manta rays, numbering only about 5 individuals. Since 2011, the Manta Trust has been developing conservation efforts to help protect the species, which can live up to 50 years in the wild.
One such effort is “public adoption”. For £25, donors can choose from a wide range of stingrays, receive a biography of their ward, information about their movements and a certificate.
Sea turtle
The Sea Turtle Conservancy tracks more than 30 sea turtles via satellite, which can be “adopted” if desired.
Each “adoption” package includes a personalized certificate, a sea turtle conservation guide, a sea turtle sticker, a bookmark, and an annual subscription to foundation publications. Donations start at $30.
When you adopt a sea turtle, you also receive a tracker number to track online where your pet is currently located.
Whale
The Blue Ocean Society is an ocean conservation group dedicated to protecting marine life in the Gulf of Maine. They have been studying whales in the area since 1996, with a particular focus on fin whales and humpback whales.
The organization offers to “adopt” one of six local whales for $35 – you will receive a personalized adoption certificate, a high-resolution color image of your whale, and a history of sightings.
Although the whales do not have chips or tracking devices, the Blue Ocean Society informs caretakers by e-mail each time a whale is sighted in the observation area.
Elephant
Since 2001, the Friends of the Wildlife Foundation of Thailand (WFFT) has played an important role in the conservation of the endangered species of Asian elephants, whose numbers have been greatly reduced due to poaching and deforestation. According to the WFFT, about 2 individuals remain in the wild.
The WFFT maintains an elephant orphanage about 100 miles southwest of Bangkok, home to several dozen elephants rescued from abuse by the tourism industry. The wooded area around the rescue center gives the rescued elephants the opportunity to roam in an almost natural environment. The large enclosures, up to 18 hectares, have trees, lakes and pastures, giving the elephants space to roam and socialize with each other.
Through the foundation’s “adoption” program, which starts at $38, donors receive a certificate as well as periodic email updates about their “adopted” elephant.
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) was founded in 1961 by Victor Stolan after he read a series of articles by biologist Julian Huxley on habitat and wildlife destruction in East Africa. Today, WWF is the world’s leading conservation organization with endangered animal conservation projects in 100 countries.
Their symbolic adoption program is aimed at helping a huge number of wild animals: you can take care of a capybara, a sloth, a quokka or a leopard, a bat or a sloth, a lion or a koala, a gorilla or a flamingo and many others. Donations start at $25, and for $60 you can get an additional soft toy of the animal you are taking care of.
Not only animals
Sequoias
Rising along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range predominantly in Northern California, redwoods are among the tallest trees and oldest living organisms on the planet. They reach a height of 90 meters and live for more than 2 thousand years.
As part of its tree conservation program, Sequoia ForestKeepers is involved in various initiatives, such as collecting tree health data and developing sustainable land management practices.
For $100 per tree or $2500 for a redwood grove, donors receive an “adoption” certificate, GPS coordinates and a map showing the location of the “adopted” tree, as well as a photo of their redwood.
Corals
Scientists estimate that coral reefs are home to more than 25% of marine species. Corals also underlie the formation of other aquatic ecosystems.
The French organization Coral Guardian is restoring the damaged reefs of Hatamine Island near the village of Seraya Besar in Indonesia. More than 40 thousand
corals have already been replanted thanks to this initiative, allowing the village of 750 inhabitants to continue to earn a living from fishing.
The organization offers to adopt a coral for €30, or you can give it a name and receive an “adopt” certificate with a picture of the coral, the name and photo of the team member who will replant it, and its new GPS location.