The meaning of the word "conservation" seems to have become diluted over the last twenty years. If you read the newspapers and watch TV today, conservation can be taken to mean the total protection of all animals under all circumstances. But to us, it still means taking care of species and preserving them for the future.

The total protection of wildlife has become a lucrative industry, often marketed at the younger members of society. It has become popular to "save" an animal by joining a campaign group. But are so many species really endangered? And why is it the "charismatic species" that always seem to be in trouble? The truth is that many of these campaigns are based not on science but on a belief that it is wrong to kill an animal in the wild under any circumstances. Yet most people in the world eat meat, whether it is farmed or hunted in the wild.

The World Conservation Trust Foundation promotes the sustainable utilization of wildlife. WCTF's approach to conservation is that wildlife should be carefully managed to ensure that it is available for future generations.

WCTF promotes the use of science in calculating catch quotas for wildlife and, where possible, the reinvestment of revenues from hunting in conservation programs.

WCTF promotes understanding and respect for the different traditions and cultures found around the world, and particularly for their utilization of wildlife. WCTF rejects the view that wildlife can only be conserved through "total protection" and bans on hunting.