Conserving large predators through research-driven conservation.
For over 35 years, Wild Entrust has helped create a situation where people and wildlife can coexist. Our holistic approach combines research, education, and sustainable community development, with every initiative grounded in science. We have published over 120 scientific research papers that inform our initiatives and help governments, scientist and researchers across the world make better decisions to conserve large carnivores and their habitats.
Our Predator Conservation program conserves large predators through applied conservation research that focuses on finding innovative solutions to complex challenges.
The Coaching Conservation program educates children through play based learning building relationships of empathy with animals and encouraging them to care about themselves, each other, and the natural world around them.
The Community Coexistence program invests in people through enterprise development, food security and sustainable livelihoods with an aim to reduce conflict with wildlife.
WE RESEARCH
TO INFORM
Our Predator Conservation program has found a way to talk to wild dogs.
BPC PROGRAM IN ACTION!
WE PLAY
TO EDUCATE
Our Coaching Conservation program has inspired over 120,000 kids build empathy for wildlife.
CC PROGRAM IN ACTION!
WE COEXIST
TO PROSPER
Our Community Coexistence program's sustainable village project has been so successful that we're expanding to four more villages.
COEX PROGRAM IN ACTION!
Grateful acknowledgment to the Government of Botswana for our long-term tenure.
Nature not only fills a critical role in all our lives, but the natural world is key to human health and ultimately the health of the planet. We were both fortunate to grow up in homes that loved and appreciated animals; wild and domestic - with parents that enabled and encouraged us to pursue the out-of-doors to engage with Nature. As adults we each found ourselves - and each other - in Botswana pursuing careers in wildlife conservation. Since 1989, we have held firm our convictions that all animals deserve a place - and a voice that we can help provide. However, over the more than 3 decades of working in conservation we have increasingly grown to appreciate that conservation is not only about wild animals but is ultimately about how people can coexist safely and productively with nature. So, while wild animals need protection, ironically, only people can provide it. And those living on the edge of poverty, challenged by food and income insecurity, cannot be expected to fully participate in this coexistence mission until these basic human needs are met. For 35 years we have engaged in ‘applied conservation research’. We believe in the power of knowledge, and we are proud of the many students who we have worked together with to better understand what animals need to survive and thrive. But while our field research has focused on reducing human wildlife conflict, we fully appreciate the importance of the people side of conservation. Research. Play. Coexist. This is our mission. And going forward, with your help, we will continue fostering new generations of caring people who will be on the ground, in the field, protecting wildlife and wild spaces, for all of us.
Founded by JW McNutt, PhD Behaviourial Ecology and Lesley McNutt, MA, Development Anthropology.
We remain in the field getting it done... with results to prove it.
OUR VISION
A world where healthy wildlife populations and ecosystems coexist with healthy communities who are empowered with sustainable livelihood practices and approaches to conservation.
OUR MISSION
To pursue a holistic approach to conservation by integrating innovation in research, education, and sustainable community development to protect threatened species and make coexistence with wildlife viable and rewarding for people.
FOLLOW US ON THE GROUND IN AFRICA
