Three trainers carrying three orangutans in the jungle of sumatra
Dossier

Dossier

Nature conservation

Mankind is growing, piles of rubbish are accumulating, the climate is changing. As a consequence, the habitats of wild flora and fauna are steadily shrinking. However, we can achieve a great deal with target-oriented commitment. Our dossier demonstrates this with examples of orangutans freed from captivity and returning to the rainforest on Sumatra, of wastewater treatment plants that help protect the ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands, and of people in the German region of Lusatia who are bringing barren mining land back to life.

Image-Reference

On our website, pictures taken, among others, by the following photographers/photo agencies are used:

Agentur photothek.net, Deutsche Messe Hannover, Andreas Arnold, Jörg Böthling, Dominik Butzmann, Carsten Costard, Susanne Esche, Charlie Fawell, Rendel Freude, Torsten George, Gaby Gerster, David Greedy, Peter Himsel, Barbara Högner, Frank Homann, Fred Hoogervorst, Steffen Jagenburg (BRANSCH EUROPE), Thomas Klewar, Studio Kohlmeier , Florian Kopp, Georg Lopata, Jürgen Lösel, Kirsten Milhahn, Rüdiger Nehmzow, Rolf Obertreis, Rubén Arnaldo Farina Ortiz, Holger Peters, Joachim Röttgers, Mika Schmidt, Bernhard Schurian, Jens Steingässer, Pietro Sutera, Uwe Tölle, Jan Zappner.

Fotolia.com: amandare, Yuri Arcurs, Kitch Bain, Ingo Bartussek, Sergio Donà, drizzd, Dmitry Ersler, eyewave, Zoltán Futó, Eric Gevaert, Fotolia XXV, Friedberg, goodluz, Dirk Hoffmann, imageteam, Christian Jung, Abdelhamid Kalai, Sergej Khakimullin, Vladimir Kolobov, krizz7, Kzenon, lumen-digital, marog-pixcells, Mindwalker, Miredi, mirpic, Nebuto, Tino Neitz, Christian Pedant, Franz Pfluegl, prognone, Gina Sanders, Henry Schmitt, spree berlin, SVLuma, Kheng Guan Toh, tom, Torbz, typomaniac, VRD, Joachim Wendler, Sreedhar Yedlapati.

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An ecological treasure

The Caucasus is home to an enormous environmental treasure. To ensure that it stays this way, KfW has been actively working in Georgia for ten years. The protected areas located here are growing and the country is attracting tourists – a success story.

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To the article about orangutans on Sumatra
Win Gayo, an adult orangutan in the rainforests of Sumatra

Back to the forest

The Bukit Tigapuluh protection programme has been running on the Indonesian island of Sumatra for more than 15 years. The focus is on resettling orangutans and conserving the living environment for the area's unique flora and fauna. KfW supports this work.

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To the article about forest preservation in the Annamite Mountains
Rangers wade a river in the protected forest of the Annamite Range.

A treasure trove for biologists

The rainforests in the border area of Laos and Vietnam are endangered by deforestation and poaching. Together with the WWF, KfW is committed to preserving biodiversity in the Annamite Mountains.

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Land iguana, Galapagos

A paradise in need

The Galapagos Islands are famous for their unique wildlife. Yet its habitat is at risk due to the increasing number of tourists and inhabitants on the archipelago. Decentralised wastewater treatment plants are now helping to protect the fragile ecosystem of the archipelago.

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Polar bear in the Arctis

A melting habitat

Part of Sybille Klenzendorf's work as a conservation specialist at WWF is to promote the protection of polar bears in the Arctic Programme. In this interview she describes the current threats posed by climate change.

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Peatlands in Russia

Restoring peatlands in Russia

Frank Mörschel heads up KfW's award-winning project to rewet bogs in Russia. In our interview he explains why the wetlands are so important for the global climate.

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Rainforest Brazil

Forest conservation pays off

Around one-fifth of the world's CO₂ emissions arise because forests are destroyed and the carbon that they store is released.That is why protecting forests is key to protecting the climate. KfW expert Christiane Ehringhaus explains how an innovative financing approach is supporting the international efforts.

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Elephant in Africa

The wild

In southern Africa, five countries maintain the largest cross-border nature conservation area in the world – in spite of all their political differences. One of the triggers for this cooperation was elephants. Too many elephants.

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Link to article about rhino poaching
Rhino in South Africa

Endangered rhinoceroses

Over the past few years rhino poaching became a national issue in South Africa. Can this imposing animal be saved?

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Southern African Wildlife College

More than just rangers

The Southern African Wildlife College is one of the best schools in Africa for nature conservation. Fighting poaching is also a part of the programme.

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Coral reef in Belize

Out of the danger zone

To preserve the legacy of our planet, KfW finances hundreds of protected areas for engendered flora and fauna around the world. Our photo gallery shows who benefits.

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Plastic waste washed upon the shore

The poison in our oceans

Plastic waste is a threat to our oceans' ecosystems as animals mistake waste for food and die in cruel circumstances. Dr Ralph Kadel, former member of the Management Board of Blue Action Fund, sets out possible solutions.

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Blossoming landscapes

Christina Grätz and her ten-strong team are supporting renaturisation in the region of Lusatia with their innovative culture technique, Nagola Re. The entrepreneur writes about her work for nature.

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