All wildlife species or subspecies featured are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species – the world’s most comprehensive assessment of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. According to IUCN’s standardized criteria, species listed as Critically Endangered face extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The IUCN Red List assesses the conservation status and extinction risk of species at a global level using a set of quantitative criteria and drawing on expert knowledge from around the world. There are currently 2,150 Critically Endangered wildlife species* on the IUCN Red List, which includes terrestrial, freshwater and marine species. IUCN Red List species are periodically reassessed to reflect changes in extinction risk – species may continue to decline while others may improve due to conservation efforts. Click here to learn more.

*Wildlife is defined here as vertebrates (animals with a backbone), which includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes.

Through our long-established Priceless brand, we are connecting with consumers through their passions, including sustainability causes such as tree-planting and wildlife conservation.

Mastercard has the scale and systems to convene coalitions and provide options for billions of people to help in ways that align to their passions and interests. We are using our network and partnerships, including the important relationship we have with Conservation International, to educate, inspire and enable consumers and our partners to take action and play a substantial role in global reforestation efforts and the protection of endangered wildlife.

The introduction of Wildlife Impact Cards and the deepening of our relationship with Conservation International, one of the leading conservation organizations in the world, are important elements to our holistic approach to ensuring a thriving and sustainable planet. Though Wildlife Impact Cards are not part of the efforts of the Priceless Planet Coalition to restore 100 million trees, the initiative can be seen as complementary and generates donations connected to card distribution or card usage. Donations will support Conservation International in protecting and restoring wildlife habitats around the world, including priority areas equal to 40 million hectares of landscapes and 4.5 square kilometers of seascapes globally by 2030.

The expiration dates on the cards correlate to that animal’s possible extinction date to build awareness that Critically Endangered Species and more than 2,000 other animals could potentially be lost forever. The introduction of Wildlife Impact Cards and the expansion of Mastercard’s partnership with Conservation International are steps towards a more hopeful future for these wildlife species and the habitats where they live.

All donations will go to Conservation International to support their efforts to protect and preserve wildlife habitats, including those of Critically Endangered Species. The animals on the cards represent some of the thousands of Critically Endangered Species around the planet. Consumers are invited to purchase a card and utilize the Mastercard Donate platform to donate to Conservation International and support their work to conserve habitats where wildlife and Critically Endangered Species live.

The cards are now available in the U.S. as virtual prepaid gift cards and will be rolling out later this summer in physical cards made from sustainable materials.

Yes. When a buyer purchases a card, they will be able to send a virtual card via email or text to a mobile phone. The option to send a physical card to a physical address is planned for this summer.