ask Azzedine

Azzedine Downes President and CEO

Ask Azzedine offers our supporters the opportunity to learn more about IFAW directly from President and CEO Azzedine Downes. This edition’s question comes from supporter Brenda Brinker Bottum:

One aspect of IFAW that I really appreciate is your commitment to the health of both animal populations and human communities. Can you go into further detail about One Health and why it is so important for IFAW?

This is a fantastic question, Brenda. One Health is the idea that the health of human beings, animals and the environment are deeply interlinked. IFAW’s comprehensive approach to animal welfare and conservation reflects the interconnectedness of the natural world. Individual animals, populations, species and the ecosystems in which they live all impact biological diversity and ecological sustainability. This approach is what sets IFAW apart from other organizations. We focus on both pillars: rescue and conservation.

In times of disaster, the One Health approach yields many short and long-term benefits. For example, when we help animals, we also improve the mental health of their owners as we reduce the stress, psychological impact of the chaos and their concern over their pets’ well-being. When we return animals to their families or provide support for shelters to house those who cannot be reunited, we enhance the management of and care for stray populations, reducing the chance of zoonotic disease spread, improving welfare and keeping vital habitats healthy.

One Health is also important to consider in the rise of illegal wildlife trafficking online. Removing animals from their habitats can create dire circumstances, negatively impacting biodiversity in many landscapes. Many animals (and animal parts) targeted for wildlife trade, such as pangolins, turtles, elephants or bears, play their part in maintaining the balance of natural ecosystems.

Finally, by enhancing the well-being of human communities, supporting their ability to be healthy and thrive, we also improve the animals’ ability to thrive in these shared landscapes.

We believe that every animal matters. It is our responsibility to give them the chance to balance their ecosystem, grow their population and live harmoniously in the wild. Nature will always adapt, but we must give it the opportunity and space to do so.

This year I was invited to join the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation’s Council for Hope, a group of prominent global thought leaders and business leaders from a diverse range of fields who are deeply committed to using their influence to improve the world around us. I will continue to spread IFAW’s message, including our support of One Health when defining animal rescue and conservation strategies and procedures.

If you would like to submit a question to Azzedine, please email mdevitt@ifaw.org with the subject line “Ask Azzedine.” We may feature yours in the next Insider Update.