With offices in 15 countries, IFAW is the world leader in developing practical approaches to the protection of whales while building a better world for animals and people.  IFAW strives to ensure the welfare of living whales, keeping individual animals safe from harm, while protecting whale species and their habitats worldwide.  Of every dollar spent around the world by IFAW during the past three years, more than 83 cents went directly to animal welfare programs and institutional costs. 

IFAW is working with governments, scientists and local communities to end commercial and “scientific” whaling and is a leading advocate for whale sanctuaries, including the Southern Ocean Sanctuary in the waters around Antarctica, established to provide protection for 90 percent of the world’s remaining whales. Unfortunately, these sanctuaries are not uniformly respected by governments around the globe. IFAW is spearheading legal proceedings for ensuring that sanctuaries are truly protected zones.

IFAW collaborates with coastal communities to develop responsible whale watching as a sustainable alternative to whale hunting, as whale watching offers important educational, environmental, scientific and economic benefits.

IFAW’s state-of-the-art research and education vessel, Song of the Whale, is a global ambassador for the conservation of whales and marine habitat.  Non-lethal research methods and acoustic detection systems developed by IFAW scientists are used around the world.

Watch: What Does IFAW Stand For?