WildAid is an international 501(c)(3) NGO whose mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade. Rather than an issue of biology or culture WildAid views the illegal wildlife trade fundamentally as a matter of economics - of supply and demand.
WildAid operates a field program in the Galapagos Islands, protecting the Galápagos Marine Reserve, apprehending poachers and smugglers and creating economic alternatives to local communities. In addition to this, WildAid's unique Active Conservation Awareness Program (ACAP) is designed to drastically reduce the demand for wildlife parts and products - namely in key places such as China and India. WildAid works with media, governments, celebrities and local partners and communities worldwide to make wildlife conservation a global priority.
The founding members are Peter Knights and Steve Trent. The organization's headquarters are in San Francisco, CA and they have offices in China, India, Cambodia, Galapagos, and London.
Yao Ming, of the NBA team Houston Rockets, is a spokesman for WildAid.