VETPAW - VETPAW's conservation activities are in alignment with the SDG goals.

VETPAW strives to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all". The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, targeted to be achieved by the year 2030. VETPAW shares how its efforts have been in tandem with some of the SDG goals, especially Goal 15.

Why should humans care about the survival of natural resources such as forests and wildlife?

The sustenance and survival of human beings are profoundly connected to the sustenance and survival of the earth, the wildlife, and its sophisticated habitats. Unfortunately, the overexploitation by humans has put an immense strain on these resources.

Here are some facts that highlight mankind’s dependency on these resources for survival:

Around 1.6 billion people depend on forests for their livelihood.
Forests are home to more than 80 percent of all terrestrial species of animals, plants, and insects.
Plantlife provides 80 percent of the human diet.
The value of ecosystems to human livelihoods and well-being is $US125 trillion per year.
Mountain regions provide 60-80 percent of the Earth’s freshwater.

Now here are some facts that showcase how humans have been overexploiting these limited resources:

13 million hectares of forests are lost every year due to human activity
Biodiversity is at severe risk.
Nearly 7000 species of animals and plants are illegally traded.

VETPAW supports the SDGs

VETPAW has been tirelessly working with local communities and rangers to conserve the wildlife in Africa. Here’s how the activities of VETPAW have been contributing to the several SDGs, especially SDG 15:

SDG 15 - War against poaching and illegal wildlife trade: This crucial goal asks for urgent action to cease the degradation of natural habitats, end poaching and trafficking of animals, and integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into local planning and development processes. The veterans at VETPAW have been at war against poachers and the illegal wildlife trade. The team constantly monitors and analyzes the movement of animals and ensures they are protected. These efforts are foundational in the conservation of wildlife and are in line with SDG 15.

SDG 8 - Decent work and economic growth: The war against poaching and illegal wildlife trade is impossible without the support of the local rangers and the local communities.

VETPAW trains South African rangers in skills such as marksmanship, medical care, infantry tactics, unit cohesion, patrolling, and community outreach in their fight against poaching.
VETPAW curates sustainability projects that help provide a reliable income to local communities.
The conservation of wildlife allows for massive ecotourism revenue and economic growth. A massive part of Africa’s GDP is supported by tourism, especially ecotourism. Ecotourism generates thousands of jobs for the local community and provides them a concrete source of livelihood. The VETPAW Experience is one such activity that contributes to this goal.

SDG 12 - Responsible consumption and production: The local communities inhabiting the areas around wildlife reserves are often unaware of the importance of sustainable use of natural resources. VETPAW educates the communities about the importance of responsible consumption of these resources and how it is in their best interests to help protect these resources. Besides encouraging sustainable consumption, this awareness empowers the local communities and makes the work of rangers easy while deterring poaching activities.

SDG 17 - Partnership for the goals: The goal of wildlife conservation is not an easy feat. There is power in numbers and conviction. VETPAW has successfully established concrete partnerships with the local rangers and communities, national parks, and government agencies to conserve wildlife in Africa. Moreover, VETPAW’s association with these local heavyweights has enhanced the bilateral ties between Africa and the US. This allows for massive monetary and non-monetary support for the war against poaching.

SDG 1 - No poverty: The conservation of wildlife protects the poor communities in the area that are largely dependent on wildlife for their survival. VETPAW partners with the government, donors, and other NGOs to conserve wildlife and provide decent work to the local communities. If wildlife were left unprotected, the local communities would suffer for basic survival.

Wildlife conservation work by VETPAW is constantly making a difference to the lives of the local communities and, of course, the wildlife in Africa. These efforts are contributing to the several SDGs set by the UN General Assembly.

VETPAW - Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife

Founded in 2013, VETPAW is a non-profit organization and a community of US war veterans dedicated to protecting African wildlife and training local African rangers in the war against poaching.