Wildlife Messengers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the purpose of conserving wildlife and habitats through scientific research, on-the-ground action, and communication. These aims are archived by conducting studies in disciplines such as conservation genetics and biology, by working with local communities to develop sustainable livelihoods, by safeguarding traditional knowledge, and by making scientific and educational films, photographs, and audio recordings. Many of their projects take place in countries with lower industrial bases. Their communications target national and international audiences including government authorities, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions, local and indigenous communities, and global audiences.[1]
The organization was started in 2017, after the founding scientists recognized the need for a stronger connection between academic research and public outreach, and a scientific input from nature conservation to filmmaking. Evaluating and publishing the impact of conservation films are among the goals of the non-profit. The directors have been also publishing in scientific peer-reviewed journals about global effects of habitat destruction to parrots,[2] a flu-like illness transmission among wild bonobos,[3] and effective population size estimates of swift parrots.[4] The organization has produced several video abstracts to scientific studies including the population genetics of swift parrots,[5][4] mowing for biodiversity,[6] the global journey of storks,[7] and the parrots of Oceania.[8]