Thousands of species throughout the world are currently facing the real threat of extinction due to heavy poaching, illegal trade of wildlife, especially regarding bushmeat and ivory, human-wildlife conflict, disease, and disappearing habitats.. Many of these species, like the Andean cat, the African Penguin, the white-backed vulture, and the Antiguan racer, belong to populations so small and narrowly distributed that they require immediate assistance.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Without Borders Program created the Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Fund (CEACF) to provide funding for projects that work to protect critically endangered species in Africa, Asia, South America, and Oceania.

The goal of the CEACF is to provide support to projects that have a high likelihood of creating long-lasting benefits to species facing the immediate threat of global extinction. In 2011 alone, the program awarded $593,822 in grants for 29 projects in 19 countries worldwide – targeting over 20 critically endangered species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. These projects include

• Cambodia: Recruiting and training at least 20 community wardens to patrol wetlands, raise awareness about local wildlife, and report illegal activities.
• Madagascar: Recruiting local villagers to be trained as rangers and constructing two ranger stations, including one in the buffer zone to the east of Ankarafa Forest and one in the buffer zone on the eastern side of the Sahamalaza Peninsula.
• Panama: Collaborating with local authorities and community organizations in Escudo de Veraguas Island, Panama, to reduce poaching of pygmy sloths and destruction of mangrove habitat.
• Zimbabwe: Supporting a long-term, sustainable education and conservation project for African wild dogs in the Zimbabwean part of the greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.