SCF's Programme

SCF’s programme is based on three complementary and overlapping strands.

Saving the Sahara’s remaining wildlife








The number one threat to Saharan wildlife is over-hunting. Decades of poaching and unsustainable off-take have brought many species to the brink of extinction. One, the scimitar-horned oryx, is already gone. Others will surely follow if nothing is done. SCF’s top priority is saving what remains. It is vital to get conservation staff and resources on the ground to provide protection and find ways of creating positive incentives to conserve. Whilst campaigning vigorously against illegal and unsustainable use of wildlife, SCF strives to find solutions that will allow people to draw benefit from their natural resources while ensuring their long-term survival.

Communicating the crisis faced by Saharan wildlife

Deserts are not barren wastelands. They are geographically spectacular, culturally rich, and home to an amazing array of exquisitely-adapted plants and animals, many of which need urgent conservation action. SCF works to dispel the ignorance surrounding deserts, to raise awareness of the extinction crisis facing many species, and to mobilize support for desert conservation.

Restoring lost species

Were it not for zoos and private collections, the scimitar-horned oryx would not merely be extinct in the wild but extinct period! In an environment of growing commitment, and with an impressive number of dedicated partners, SCF is actively involved in the restoration of desert wildlife to places from which it disappeared long ago.  In all its work, SCF adopts a transparent, science-based approach based on the best available information and expertise.

To find out how we are developing our programme, visit
our SCF Projects pages.