The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) was established in 1961 under the name World Wildlife Fund. It was renamed in 1986 but maintained the acronym WWF.
The WWF was set up to protect the world's diverse animal species and their habitats from extinction. The organization's mission is "to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature."
The WWF is one of the world's largest and most influential independent conservation organizations. It has over 5 million supporters worldwide, and works in over 100 countries. The organization focuses on six key areas: wildlife, forests, oceans, freshwater, climate change, and food.
The WWF has been involved in many notable conservation successes. For example, it played a key role in the establishment of the World Heritage Convention, which protects natural and cultural sites of outstanding universal value. The organization also helped to save the giant panda from extinction, and has been instrumental in the creation of numerous protected areas around the world.
The WWF is a vital force for conservation. It is working to protect the world's most precious natural resources, and to ensure that future generations can enjoy the benefits of a healthy planet.