Help WWF bring the lynx back to Bulgaria

Wildlife crimes are among the most lucrative criminal activities, almost catching up with drugs and arms trafficking. They are often called "victimless crimes" because the victim can be hidden too easily – to be dismembered and disguised, to be thrown overboard, parts of it to cross the border unnoticed.

In the 21st century, the demand for wild animals or their products is still growing. People continue to search for ivory, tiger and bear skins, turtle shells, deer and goat antlers, and endangered bird eggs. It is extremely difficult to determine the true scale of wildlife crimes, as they are hidden, often international in nature, and aided by corruption at all levels.

The authorities in Bulgaria that have the right to investigate crimes and punish perpetrators are the police, the prosecution and the courts. However, they do not specialize in the field of wildlife and its conservation, have no experience in investigating such violations, and do not have a database of the crimes, their perpetrators and practice of the court. If they do not have the necessary information, preparation and specialized training, the chances of saving the wild animals from ruthless killing or captivity are drastically reduced.

13 partners from 11 countries in Europe join forces to improve law enforcement and prevent wildlife crime

What do we at WWF-Bulgaria promise?

1. We will analyze the scale and type of violations. For the first time in Bulgaria there will be a data base available to anyone willing to counteract illegal activities against wild animals.

2. We will organise special trainings for prosecutors to increase their knowledge of this type of crimes. We will show them good practices and appropriate solutions to the problem.

3. We will file alerts and take cases of particularly serious violations to court.

4. The WWF Bear Rescue Squad will continue to help animals in danger and work with local communities to prevent poaching.

5. We will create an online guide for active citizen participation.

WILDLIFE CRIMES ARE WILD CRIMES AGAINST LIFE

Thank you for being our supporter. We need you in this fight as it is a dangerous and challenging endeavor.

Links:

• What we do to protect wildlife in Bulgaria
• The SWiPE project

Back to school with a mission: to protect forests while buying notebooks from FSC-certified paper

8 out of 10 terrestrial species on Earth live in forests. Their home is one of the most vulnerable ecosystems in the world. According to a WWF’s report, 20% of the Amazon jungle have been destroyed in the past 50 years and yet we still struggle to keep what’s left intact.

Fortunately, thanks to years’ long hard work of nature protection by organizations and active citizens, valuable old and precious forests have survived in Bulgaria providing home to unique plants and animals. Most of these habitats are not under protection which is why we at WWF Bulgaria keep on working on their mapping, research and FSC certification.

You can help protect forests quickly and easily next time you go shopping!

While you are reading this report forests with the size of 60 football fields will be cut down. Because more than ever people need timber and space for agriculture and livestock farming.

Every year when the time comes for students to go to school, we repeat the same appeal: Buy notebooks and stationary with the FSC label on them. Let’s teach our friends and colleagues that school can also raise nature-loving citizens.

What is FSC and why is it important to choose products with its label?

FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.

FSC standards play an important role in maintaining forest cover, preventing deforestation and forest degradation, which are vital elements in the global climate change agenda to stop the planet passing the danger point of a more than 1.5°C temperature increase.

Harvesting timber in FSC-certified woods does not damage the ecosystem, protects the biodiversity and ensures that local people’s rights and heritage are not violated.

“When buying FSC-labelled products we contribute to the protection of forests and the living creatures in them, we increase water quality and quantity and we improve working conditions of all people employed by the forestries,” says Neli Doncheva, Chief Forests Expert at WWF Bulgaria.

Where can we find FSC-certified products?

Almost everywhere around us, in our daily lives – from the bookstore to the grocery shop, in the supermarket and DIY shops. Just look at the label and check for the tree logo: notebooks, packages, napkins, toilet paper, pencils, wooden tables and chairs, accessories. Their price is not higher than non-FSC products. We buy those things anyway. Why not do it by showing care for our precious wild nature.

Your daily choice to support responsible forestry helps us keep forests for all, forever. Remember to keep on checking for the tree whenever you are shopping.

WWF Bulgaria is a key player in establishing FSC certification in our country. Thanks to our efforts, the first ever FSC standard in Bulgaria was created and approved for immediate implementation. Hundreds of forestry employees are trained how to apply it in their everyday work.

55,5% of Bulgarian forests are already certified.

We hope we can continue the good trend.

Thank you for your support!

Links:

• WWF's Back to School with a Mission
• More about FSC