About ALERT

"Across the greatest of Africa’s savannahs to the depths of its darkest forest; within its vast lakes and rivers and on its towering mountains, Africa‘s wild heritage is under threat.

From the most iconic of its species, the African lion, to the humble grasses of its great plains, wildlife across the continent is facing an ever-increasing fight for survival.

Wildlife populations are tumbling across every habitat as the footprint of humanity spreads across Africa’s fragile eco-systems.

As habitats are over-utilized or destroyed the natural processes that offer a vital resource to communities are being denuded, such as; access to clean water; reduction in soil quality; loss of wood for fuel; and the extinction of flora and fauna species. The lower economic benefits derived from such denuded habitats leads only to the need to convert more and more natural areas to other uses to try and maintain those benefits that we have lost – and it is Africa’s wildlife that is paying the price.

Simply putting a halt to social and economic development to save what is left of Africa’s wild areas though is not a sustainable solution.

What we need is responsible development. To look into the future and deliver the development needed in a way that is compatible with life support systems, ecosystems and natural services. Decision making is not a trade off between economic development and environmental planning. This is a false choice. Decisions have to take into account both – conservation must be at the centre of how our economies and our countries work.

But this change in thinking will not happen overnight. Even if we were to start today to integrate a more holistic management of Africa’s resources into its policy making it will already be too late for many of Africa’s species.

Some are already on the endangered list and many more, classified as vulnerable, will join them on that list soon. The lion, a symbol of Africa, already lost 80 – 90% of its population in just the last thirty five years!

Imagine Africa without the lion…

Faced with these huge challenges it is up to our generation to take action now. We can immediately start a variety of programs to protect what is left as well as establish the means to restore areas to their former glory when protection of those areas is possible. If we fail to take the opportunity offered to us to unite and face these challenges together we will be the most vilified generation that has ever lived on this continent."

Andrew Conolly
Chairman and Founder of ALERT

Holistic Approach

The environment is shaped not just by geography and bio-physical factors, but also by socio-economic, legal and political ones. ALERT takes a holistic approach to conservation recognizing that its actions must address all these factors if its programs are to succeed.

As such ALERT also comprises the Conservation Centre for Wild Africa that conduct conservation and research programs for a diversity of Africa’s wildlife.

In addition, the ALERT Communities Trust (ACT) works with all sectors of society throughout Africa to promote the development of sustainable conservation management plans. ALERT is proud to foster partnerships with local communities that collaboratively develop and implement African solutions to African challenges. ACT promotes community action by raising awareness, motivating and empowering people to protect and restore their environment and improve livelihoods.

Building Partnerships

ALERT seeks to develop cooperative partnerships to: reflect the strength of unions forged between Africa’s diverse stakeholders; to provide a forum to generate innovative conservation solutions in tandem with responsible development programs, to leverage funding and develop a culture of sharing of expertise between partners to meet the most pressing conservation and development needs across the continent.

ALERT believes that conservation programs dependent on donor funding alone are unsustainable.  As such, we seek to work with commercial operators and local communities to build financially sustainable business models using responsible development ideals around as many of our programs as possible to ensure financial sustainability.

Ambassador for Africa

The African lion is an iconic symbol of Africa; a powerful image that can draw attention not just to this keystone species, but can also raise awareness of the challenges facing lesser appreciated species, its environment and the people who live alongside it. The African lion - an ambassador for all of Africa’s wildlife and its people.

“To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival.” Wendell Berry