From reducing demand for pangolin products to strengthening protections for globally important marine ecosystems, 2025 was a year of optimism and hope for wildlife. Here’s to entering the new year inspired to keep fighting for our planet!
Together this year, we:
1. Saw the price of pangolin scales plummet by up to 75% in Cameroon
Data compiled by the wildlife law enforcement group LAGA shows declines of between 45% and 75% in the average prices of scales for all three species of pangolin found in Cameroon between 2020 and 2025. Traffickers are finding fewer buyers thanks to stronger law enforcement, major arrests and seizures, and a sharp decline in demand from China.
Cameroon’s government has strengthened wildlife laws and cracked down on traffickers, making the trade riskier and less profitable than ever before. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have tightened controls on pangolin products in traditional medicine, while WildAid’s public awareness campaigns are helping shift attitudes.
2. Launched a new project to protect the world’s largest population of wild lions
Alarmingly, lion populations across Africa have declined by 90% in just half a century.
The last stronghold of the king of beasts is Tanzania, home to the world’s largest remaining wild lion population. But even here, lions face an unexpected threat: rising urban demand for illegal wild meat.
As people consume more antelope, buffalo, and other wildlife, lions lose their prey — and are often caught and killed in wire snares set for other animals.
To protect Tanzania’s lions, we launched a new Urban Bushmeat Demand Reduction Campaign, grounded in the first-ever nationwide survey of wild meat consumers. Building on a decade of proven behavior-change work in Tanzania, this campaign will use influential voices, national pride, and evidence-based messaging to reduce demand, just like we’ve done with ivory and pangolins.
3. Celebrated 20 years of shark protection worldwide…
If two decades of shark conservation have taught us anything, it’s that when sharks thrive, oceans thrive — and so do we.
For 20 years, we’ve worked to protect sharks on two critical fronts: reducing consumer demand for shark products and strengthening marine enforcement to protect vital shark habitats. From removing over eight million bowls of shark fin soup from menus in Thailand to protecting two million square kilometers of vital shark habitats, these efforts are paying off.
We’re thrilled to see real progress in how the world sees sharks — not as villains or food, but as essential guardians of the ocean, keeping ecosystems balanced, coral reefs thriving, and fish populations healthy.
4. …and 20 years of conservation in China!
Over the past 20 years, WildAid China has helped redefine how conservation messages reach the public. Through partnerships with influential ambassadors like Yao Ming and the production of more than 350 videos and 500 minutes of documentary content, WildAid’s campaigns have reached billions each year — contributing to a 70% reduction in the consumption of pangolin products and influencing the country’s historic ban on ivory.
As we reflect on this milestone, one lesson stands out: conservation is a team sport. The progress achieved in China has been possible because of bold voices, cross-sector collaboration, and public support — a foundation that continues to drive our work as we look toward the next 20 years of conservation.
5. Strengthened protections for a marine “superhighway” used by whales, manta rays, and sharks
The Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) is one of the most important marine corridors on Earth. Stretching from southern Mexico to northern Peru, these waters connect feeding, breeding, and migration routes for sharks, sea turtles, whales, manta rays, and countless other species.
This vital “superhighway” is under threat from destructive illegal fishing which harms local livelihoods and pushes vulnerable ecosystems to the brink.
With support from Global Affairs Canada, Bezos Earth Fund, and Pacifico, we launched a regional effort to strengthen marine protection across the ETP. Working with governments and communities, we are closing enforcement gaps where illegal fishing thrives.
Already, this work is driving results:
- Dark Vessel Detection technology is exposing illegal activity in real time.
- Hundreds of enforcement officers are receiving hands-on training.
- Coastal communities are becoming partners in marine protection.
- In Panama, our first-ever five-year government agreement has already supported the seizure of six illegal longline vessels.
Learn more in our latest impact report!
Support our work this giving season
Through December 31st, every gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar to protect pangolins, lions, and other vulnerable wildlife worldwide. Give today to help us continue this lifesaving work.
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