Protecting
Key Species​

Wildlife Friendly® enterprises operate in some of the world's most important conservation landscapes, helping to protect species across the full conservation spectrum. Our Network supports conservation outcomes for species ranging from those facing a high risk of extinction to species that remain relatively abundant but depend on healthy, connected habitats and successful coexistence with people.

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While we reference the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ as a globally recognized measure of extinction risk, Wildlife Friendly® certification focuses on the management practices, livelihoods, and landscapes that enable wildlife populations to persist and recover over time.

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How We Define Key Species

Wildlife Friendly® works in landscapes where wildlife and people share space. We identify key species as those whose presence, persistence, or recovery reflects the health of the ecosystems and production systems in which our Network members operate.

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These species may be globally threatened, regionally significant, ecologically important, or particularly vulnerable to conflict with people. By supporting production practices that conserve habitat, maintain connectivity, and promote coexistence, Wildlife Friendly® enterprises help create conditions in which these species can thrive.

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Species featured by Wildlife Friendly® are not selected solely on the basis of their threat status. Many serve as indicators of healthy ecosystems, support key ecological functions, or help demonstrate successful coexistence between people and wildlife.

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Species Selection Criteria

Wildlife Friendly® highlights species that are important within the landscapes where our Network members operate. These species may be selected because they:

• are assessed under the IUCN Red List;

• are protected under national legislation;

• are listed under CITES;

• serve as flagship, umbrella, indicator or keystone species;

• play important ecological roles;

• are vulnerable to conflict with people;

• help demonstrate conservation outcomes.

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Wildlife Friendly® references the IUCN Red List and other recognized conservation frameworks where relevant. However, species are not included solely on the basis of their threat status. Many species featured within our Network are important indicators of healthy ecosystems and successful coexistence between people and wildlife.