Aspinall Foundation Q&A Session
The Aspinall Foundation are a wildlife charity based in the UK and are devoted to the conservation of endangered species across the globe. We thought it would be interesting to find out a bit more about them to see how they first got started, where the money they raise is spent, and their plans for the future.
We hope this give you a chance to learn a little bit more about about this important charity and how they help to save some of the world’s most threatened species.
Firstly thanks for your time. Where and how did your charity start?
Back in 1957, the late John Aspinall bought the Howletts Park to begin his famous collection of beautiful and rare animals. In 1973, he purchased the Port Lympne Park to help house the growing groups of animals. The two parks are home to over 1000 animals, with over 100 different species on show.
The Aspinall Foundation are responsible for the reintroduction of animals back into the wild that have been born in Kent. So far to date, the Aspinall Foundation have reintroduced a selection of western lowland gorilla, black rhino and przewalski horses that were born in Kent back into the wild.
Wow that’s amazing! Apart from your work at the UK parks which other countries do you work in?
The charity fund and manage projects in:
- Madagascar
- Java
- Republic of Congo
- Gabon
The charity also fund projects in:
- Cambodia
- India
What are your current ‘real world’ initiatives that are making a difference?
We are currently working to protecting some of the most endangered species in the world including the western lowland gorilla, greater bamboo lemur and Javan gibbon. It is not only the primary species in each project that benefit from the charities support but through the work we are doing their natural habitats and other native species are being protected.
Which are your most popular animals to adopt?
How is the money raised through adoptions spent?
The Aspinall Foundation is protecting species that are considered endangered, so their future survival is only possible with help from the public. The adoption scheme has named animals that act as figureheads for each species. Everyone can adopt the same named animals for each species, and the money raised goes towards The Aspinall Foundation’s conservation work.
Why is this a better way to donate than a one off payment?
Regular giving enables the charity to better plan what will be available to spend on our overseas projects.
Do you have any interesting conservation plans for the future?
The charity is planning to return captive bred Javan langurs and gibbons back into the wild as part of The Aspinall Foundation Java Primate Project. In 2013 the charity will be undertaking a ground breaking animal transfer, when an entire family of western lowland gorillas are returned back to the wild as part of The Aspinall Foundations Africa Gorilla Protection Projects.
Where do you see your charity in 10 years time?
The charity is always looking to broaden the species that are being protected in-situ and over the next 10 years we would expect The Aspinall Foundation to set up projects to protect further species in-country. The charity will continue to support the projects in Africa, Java and Madgascar, our commitment is long-term.
Do you have any great tips for people who are interested in conservation?
A key part of The Aspinall Foundation’s overseas projects is the work we do with local communities providing education as to why conserving species and their habitat is so important, not just for that individual species but for the whole eco system they live within. In this way we are teaching that conservation starts at home with an understanding of how our actions affect the environment around us, and getting involved with local community projects is the first step for all.
That’s interesting. When you think of endangered animals you don’t necessarily think about those in the communities closest to the animals and the crucial part they play.
Thanks for taking the time to speak to us.
We hope this has given you some insight into what the Aspinall Foundation are all about. If you would like to adopt an animal through this amazing wildlife charity, please you can read more here, and you can chose from a great selection of animals that desperately need your help. Your donations will help provide funds to allow the Aspinall Foundation to continue their groundbreaking work both at home and abroad.