Five decades of conservation

Our 50th anniversary has given us an excuse to rummage in our archives. We're really proud of what we've achieved since we started back in 1961 - though we know there's still lots to do. Here's just a brief selection of highlights from our work so far...

1961

Newspaper reports of the destruction of Africa's rhino and elephant populations leads directly to our creation.

1963

We set up the Mweka Wildlife Management College in Tanzania, to train park rangers and wildlife managers of protected areas in Africa

1969

We help establish Coto Donana National Park, one of the last refuges for Iberian lynx.

1960s

1970s

1972

Operation Tiger: we help set up nine national parks in India.

1975

Our first rainforest campaign results in dozens of national parks worldwide.

1975

We help establish CITES which leads to launch of TRAFFIC, to monitor global wildlife trade.

1976

Our first marine programme establishes sanctuaries for whales, dolphins and seals.

1979

Our funding establishes China's Wolong nature reserve, to preserve giant pandas.

1970s

1980s

1980

WWF and others promote the concept of sustainable development – living within the limits of the natural environment – for the first time

1983

We launch the Conservation Stamp Collection. It's raised over US$13m in 200 countries.

1985

We help bring about an international moratorium on whaling.

1989

We help achieve a ban on the international ivory trade.

1980s

1990s

1991

We launch the 1995 Group (later relaunched as the WWF-UK Forest & Trade Network): companies dedicated to responsible management of the world's forests.

1992

We discover a new large mammal species – the saola – in Vietnam.

1992

The Convention on Biological Diversity launches. We play a key role in its development, with 193 countries committing to protect their wildlife and habitats.