In Progress

These organizations have been funded and grants are currently underway

At Holtzman Wildlife Foundation, our grantees go through a rigorous process between application and imbursement to ensure strict standards are met, and a sound strategy is in place.

The following are projects currently in process by organizations that have received funding from the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation.

Leuser: The Last Place on Earth

Film coming soon!

The Leuser Ecosystem is the last place where Sumatran tigers, organutans, rhinos and elephants live together in the wild. However, this critical land is fast being lost to threats like the palm oil industry. Holtzman Wildlife Foundation awarded a grant to the Oceanic Preservation Society to support the production of a film about the Leuser Ecosystem, which comprises nearly seven million acres of jungle on the Indonesian Island of Sumatra.

In order to combat the work being done by the palm oil industry in Sumatra, the Oceanic Preservation Society created Leuser: The Last Place on Earth—a thrilling action-adventure documentary that delves deep into the extraordinary Leuser Ecosystem. An undercover film team chronicled the plights of the heroes fighting to save this biodiversity hotspot on the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia from rampant corruption and destruction.

The film’s release has been delayed due to safety concerns locally. When completed, we will link its information here.

Macaw Recovery Network

Macaws in Costa Rica

Many parrot species are on the brink of extinction and it is a pivotal time to band together. The Network brings together organizations that are interested in the development and sharing of practical knowledge. This collective of wildlife professionals encourages increased capacity through research, training and open communication among conservationists.  

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station

Pelicans in Miami

Pelican Harbor Seabird Station is Miami’s premier native wildlife hospital evolving into a world-class wildlife rescue, rehab, release, and education center. The Holtzman Wildlife Foundation was a major funder of its recent capital campaign to open a new facility.

PHSS already treated 2,000+ patients a year of over 150 distinct species. But it’s not enough. The new facility will help support the significant increase in patient load. The new building will also include an education center to bring schools on-site to ensure that future generations understand the importance of conservation in the community, an ICU for our patients in the most critical condition, and quarantine quarters so it’s able to accept certain species in need.

Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic

Endangered wildlife in Belize

The Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic supports wildlife conservation through medical services, education, research, and collaboration with other local organizations. It is constructing a new veterinary and rehabilitation clinic with support from the foundation to better support injured wildlife in the region. BWRC is able to rehabilitate and release 20-80 percent of patients, depending on species.

Photo credit: Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic

Stony Brook Foundation

Lemurs in Madagascar

Despite being an island nation with remarkable and diverse biological life, much of Madagascar’s wildlife teeters on the verge of extinction. Madagascar is the only country where lemurs can be found in the wild, but 90% of its 103 species of lemur are in danger of disappearing from Earth.

Through several projects, spanning many years, the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation is supporting the construction and operations of the Centre ValBio Lemur Wildlife Center in Madagascar. Building on Centre ValBio’s already-existing and well-established research center, the LWC will help ensure lasting conservation of Madagascar’s rainforests and endemic wildlife.

Giant Otter Conservation Fund

Giant River Otters in Brazil

The foundation has granted the Giant Otter Conservation Fund via the Four Corners Institute to support an educational project in Brazil that includes a documentary and an animated cartoon used to increase community engagement in Giant Otter conservation.

Endangered Wildlife Trust

Wild Dogs in South Africa

The Foundation has made a grant to the Endangered Wildlife Trust via the King Baudouin Foundation US to support a project that will discourage farmers from killing African Wild Dogs on their farmland. The Wild Dogs often choose a spot to have pups on or near farmland because it can be safer. Yet fearing that the Wild Dogs will kill their animals, farmers can be inclined to kill the dogs. This conflict is particularly problematic in the case of game farms, where the Wild Dogs’ natural prey, such as Impalas, are raised.

This program funded by the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation encourages game farmers to protect the Wild Dogs and will reimburse the farmers for any game stock lost to Wild Dog kills.

Animal Defenders International

Educational theatre in South Africa

Animal Defenders International exposes animal suffering, educates and secures permanent change. The organization is currently building a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa that will provide a peaceful, secure refuge. The ADI Wildlife Sanctuary will give abused, rescued animals respect and a life of loving kindness, as close as possible to what nature intended. The Holtzman Wildlife Foundation has made a grant to support the educational programming at this new sanctuary.