These funds are urgently needed. Failing economies, civil unrest, and growing poverty have undermined the capacity of range state governments to protect their animals. While African elephants and Indian rhinos are doing better in some areas thanks to the support of Congress the population of Asian elephants in the wild is still declining. Four of the five species of rhino are under severe pressure, and fewer than 6,000 tigers remain.
Great apes suffer from habitat destruction and hunting for the bush meat trade.
Many neotropical migratory birds are listed as endangered or threatened. The Multinational Species Conservation Fund has been extremely effective in arresting the decline of rhinos, tigers, and elephants and in encouraging local and international matching contributions from governments and private organizations. However, the number of proposals for antipoaching efforts, habitat preservation, public education, and control of smuggling far outstrips the number of projects that can be funded. Without increased support, the future of these magnificent creatures will be bleak. Please do all you can to increase funding for this program.