The Wild Harmony Fund was established in June 2023 by wildlife conservation artist Jess Pritchard. Jess has dedicated her career as an artist to raising awareness and funds for animals and habitats worldwide. However, she had a dream of launching her very own fund to donate to specific projects close to her heart. And so, the Wild Harmony Fund was born!
The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is doing important work in helping to protect Painted Dogs in Zimbabwe. Painted Dogs, also known as African Wild Dogs, are one of the most endangered mammals on the planet with only 6,500 remaining across Africa in 39 sub-populations.
DSWF's efforts in funding immersive educational bush camps and supporting anti-poaching teams demonstrate a comprehensive approach to species protection. By engaging with rural communities and children in Zimbabwe, DSWF is fostering positive interactions and building a foundation for long-term conservation efforts.
They are committed to addressing the threats faced by this iconic species including poaching and habitat loss to offer them a sustainable future in the wild.
Wild Harmony Fund will make donations directly to David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, a registered
charity no. 1106893 towards Painted Dog Conservation.
Due to habitat loss and poaching, large predators have become extinct in the UK. One such predator, the Eurasian Lynx, disappeared from Scotland around 500 years ago. These elusive creatures are roughly the size of a Labrador and weigh about the same as a Border Collie.
Eurasian Lynx reside within forests and pose no threat to humans due to their solitary nature. Their preferred hunting times are during dawn and dusk, and they mainly target deer as their prey. Reintroducing the Lynx would help manage the increasingly abundant deer population, allowing vegetation consumed by the deer to flourish. This, in turn, would have a positive impact on other animals and insects allowing their numbers to increase.
It is estimated that Scotland currently offers a suitable habitat for approximately 500 Lynx. Your
donation will support the reintroduction of the Eurasian Lynx to Scotland through advocacy work
undertaken by 'SCOTLAND: The Big Picture' who work with partner organisations: Lifescape and Trees
For Life. This collaboration aims to ensure that the reintroduction of this magnificent species
benefits everyone involved from local farmers to the tourist industry and of course, the Lynx
themselves.
Red Squirrels are one of the UK's most beloved animals thanks to poets, writers and artists such as Beatrix Potter. These shy little creatures once thrived across the Isle but due to the introduction of Grey Squirrels, bringing with them the Squirrel Pox Virus, and habits loss their numbers have rapidly declined. It is estimated that in England and Wales alone, over £37 million worth of timber is lost to damage by Grey Squirrels who gnaw on the bark to get to the sweet sap they love to consume.
The Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group are working hard to control the multiplying number of Grey Squirrels in the Eastern Lake District and Eden Valley areas. They carefully monitor Red Squirrel numbers as well as working closely with Cumbria-based couple, Jerry and Sarah McNeil who rescue, rehabilitate and release orphaned/injured Red Squirrels back into the wild.
There is ongoing research into Grey Squirrel birth control across the UK which will help put a stop to the ever increasing number of Grey Squirrels across the UK who pose a threat to not only Red Squirrels but woodland habitats and ecosystems.