The Problem

Populations of even the most iconic species are ‘blinking out’

The Problem & Last Forests’ Approach

The Asian wildlife crisis

Our planet is in the midst of a worsening biodiversity crisis but the situation in Asia, and especially Southeast Asia, is particularly grave.

Populations of even the most iconic species, such as Tigers, Asian Elephants, and Asian Rhinoceroses, are ‘blinking out’ one by one.
Less charismatic species are undergoing drastic, precipitous declines and some have already been lost forever.
Much wildlife habitat has also been lost or severely degraded and with it the opportunity to rehabilitate many key areas.

This cataclysmic scenario has been caused by a combination of factors including:

inadequate investment of resources,
weak governance and a lack of political will,
ineffective law enforcement,
inadequate resources,
and low levels of technical capacity.

As we see it…

The conventional approach to wildlife conservation in Asia is simply not working. The majority of the protected areas in Asia are merely ‘paper parks’ that are failing to protect wildlife or wildlife habitat effectively.

We believe that, unless a radical new approach to wildlife conservation is adopted in Asia, the next decade will see many species go extinct or be reduced to tiny, scattered populations.

In Africa, just such an approach to wildlife conservation has been pioneered by the conservation group African Parks since 2000. Working in partnership with governments and local communities, African Parks takes complete responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas. This strategy has been highly successful in Africa, but such a model has never been adopted in Asia despite the pressing need.

Our plan

Our new non-profit organization, Last Forest (formerly Asian Arks), will replicate the successful African Parks model in Asia, adapting and extending it as necessary to better suit the Asian context.

By doing so we will effectively protect an ecologically diverse portfolio of protected areas and so help ensure Asia’s wildlife and wild lands are safeguarded in perpetuity.

READ ABOUT THE ASIAN ARKS SOLUTION

Populations of even the most iconic species are ‘blinking out’

The Problem & Last Forests’ Approach

The Asian wildlife crisis

As we see it…

Our plan

Ensuring Asia’s wildlife and wild lands are safeguarded in perpetuity