IFAW’s Academy of Rescue and Conservation ushers in a new wave of innovation

ARC sets new standards in disaster response and wildlife conservation

Funded by a generous contribution from the Suzanne McGraw Foundation, ARC is a repository of expertise. It draws from grassroots learning to conference room innovations to support communities, protect animals, and ultimately safeguard our planet. Moreover, ARC is prepared to evolve continuously as the world changes around us.

Furthermore, with the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters like floods and wildfires, the demand for improved disaster response and higher survival rates has grown. Through IFAW's ARC, we aim to establish hallmark standards and practices that can be adapted to the specific needs of any global situation.

Sharing lifesaving techniques to boost survival rates

Our relentless pursuit to save animals has led to new practices and discoveries, transforming conservation. For example, IFAW's Marine Rescue Team, with nearly three decades of experience, has advanced robust science and pioneered lifesaving techniques for stranded marine mammals. We've achieved what many deemed impossible, increasing the survival rate of stranded, rescued, and released dolphins from 30% to nearly 80%. Just last month, we responded to the largest dolphin mass stranding in U.S. history, saving 102 out of 146 dolphins on the shallow mudflats of Wellfleet, Cape Cod.

Keeping these practices under wraps, instead of sharing them with others who can make a difference, represents a significant loss-not only to IFAW but also to the animals and people we could have helped.