Jean-Gaël Collomb, a Frenchman from San Francisco to help endangered species

On Saturday, October 12, some 1,200 enthusiasts of animal welfare meet at the Expo at the Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco. An event that Jean-Gaël Collomb looks forward to every year. And for good reason, it is the exhibition of all the work done by the Wildlife Conservation Network, American NGO established in 2002 and whose French is the executive director.

Its mission is to protect endangered species, especially in developing countries. " Projects from local organizations, from anti-poaching to awareness raising, research and education programs are identified. Then they are provided with financial, technical and emotional support, explains Jean-Gaël Collomb. How? 'Or' What ? By offering administrative know-how (development, networking and fundraising).

Hence the importance of the Expo which allows the general public to discover concretely the projects and to consider to support them financially. Many speakers are renowned scientists, like Jane Goodall, anthropologist and ethologist (study of behavior of animals) British who opens the event. " Expo breaks the opaque wall between our partners in the field and current donors or Potential " says the director. "Si give someone for a particular species, 100% of the funds are invested for it ". Their transparent and community-based approach is for the NGO to be on the list of associations in the field.

87 species are affected by its actions in 37 countries. Elephants, cheetahs, wild dogs, rays or penguins … to name a few. " To select them, we take into account the international classifications of endangered species, their charisma, their impact on an ecosystem or the number of studies ", says Jean-Gaël Collomb. Last year, the NGO deployed $ 18 million for their protection and also set up special funds (for lions or pangolins for example).

A success for the French, proud to observe that " in most network sites, animal populations increase or threats are limited ". This trained biologist, who graduated in the United States, wanted to become a veterinarian. He then studied animal behavior and spent time in Gabon, before managing a forest exploitation network in Africa. Very quickly, he realized " that there would be more animals to study if we did not work with local populations to save them ".

A path that led him to a doctorate in interdisciplinary ecology and to invest in associations, before arriving at WCN seven years ago. With his experience, Jean-Gaël Collomb knows the impact of animal survival on ours: " we need to pay attention to the planet, everything is interconnected. Water quality, soil erosion, diseases … You have to learn to share it and it will not happen by accident! It's up to us, the men, to put it in place. "

Today, Jean-Gaël Collomb, a link between those who work in the field (" link for the success of animal conservation ") and those who want to help (" indispensable link for action ») encourages the French to change their outlook on fundraising and giving. He invites commitment and generosity. Here or somewhere else. For wild animals or others.