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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // International Women’s Day 2020: Jeanne Tarrant

International Women’s Day 2020: Jeanne Tarrant

Bitis albanica - Albany Adder in situ - 30th March 2019

Averting extinction of the Albany adder in South Africa

Albany adders are one of the world’s rarest snakes. Their only known location is under threat from opencast mining, wind turbine and road developments. Jeanne runs long term projects to save this species and others from extinction.

How did you come to lead your conservation team?

I started the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Threatened Amphibian Programme in 2012 and I run one of the youngest programmes in the organisation. I have been responsible for growing the programme since its inception. From my programme’s modest beginnings, I am now responsible for five projects across the country and a staff complement of seven. The Albany Adder project is my first one to include a threatened reptile species and we are working with the Bionerds to carry out this critical work on one of South Africa’s most threatened snakes.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

Starting a new programme with a focus on frog conservation from scratch was challenging, but also very rewarding. It has been difficult to raise the funds to keep the programme sustainable, but has also been wonderful to see how public attitudes and donor support has increased in recognition of these animals that may not always been very popular.

What has been your biggest achievement in the field in the past year?

My long-term work in the Eastern Cape is resulting in the declaration of the first and only formal protected area for the Critically Endangered Amathole Toad. Here I collaborated closely with both the land-owners and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), towards declaring the 1,129 ha Elandsberg Nature Reserve. This represents the only formally protected area where the Amathole Toad is known to occur ¬– the species does not occur in any existing PA. This is exactly the approach we plan to use for the Albany Adder. Similarly, using the Stewardship model in KwaZulu-Natal, my programme is working with traditional leaders in a communal land area (Adams Mission) to declare 500 hectares of unique coastal wetland and swamp forest habitat where the Endangered Pickersgill’s Reed Frog and Kloof Frog occur sympatrically. This is the only such species-specific protection work taking place on traditional authority land in South Africa currently, and as such the approach to stakeholder engagement is proving vital. I am also very excited to announce that I have been short-listed for this year’s Whitley Award!

What would you say to aspiring women who want a future in conservation?

Being a woman should be seen as an advantage in the field of conservation. Our natural empathy is a very beneficial characteristic in also caring for the planet. Be passionate and follow your dreams – there is plenty of opportunity to work in conservation.

View Jeanne’s project

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