Wild Lives: IFAW Helps Save the Animals
Grace Gabriel, who founded the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) office in China, is a tireless advocate for animal conservation. There is especial need of this in China, where animal rights are barely heard of and millions of creatures suffer each year due to commercial trade and lack of protection. We asked Gabriel to explain why Beijing needs our help now more than ever.
What is your mission?
IFAW works to improve the welfare of wild and domestic animals around the world by reducing commercial exploitation of animals, protecting wildlife habitats and assisting animals in distress.
Tell us about some of IFAW’s current programs.
IFAW has a campaign to reduce wildlife trade. It calls for consumer rejection of parts of animals from tiger bone to rhino horn. Commercial trade of animals and their products not only perpetuates the extinction crisis for many wildlife species, but also brings enormous pain and suffering to individual animals. If we don’t buy, they don’t die!
Does IFAW do any Beijing-specific work?
China’s one-and-only hospital for birds of prey, established in 2001 by IFAW, is located on the campus of Beijing Normal University. The Beijing Raptor Rescue Center (BRRC) rescues and rehabilitates injured and sick birds of prey, and has treated over 3,100 raptor patients, of which 55 percent are eventually returned to the sky. And IFAW’s message on responsible pet ownership – “Adopt for Life” – educates Beijing pet owners on how to make life healthier and happier for their animals and themselves.
What is the biggest issue facing Beijing animals?
The biggest challenge we face is how to motivate more people to make everyday choices that are animal-friendly. Should we consume unnecessary products made from wildlife, such as elephant ivory or shark fin? Should we adopt a pet from a shelter or buy a pedigree from a pet shop? Our responsible decisions will make a big difference for animals.
So how can we help?
Help us spread the word about making responsible choices for animals. Introduce us to potential corporate partners and donors. Donate your time to volunteer in our projects.
To learn about more ways to save our wildlife, visit www.ifaw.org.cn or call 6440 2960/61/62.
