You can follow campaign updates on social media with #ForWildlifeRangers or find out more at WildlifeRangerChallenge.org.

About the Wildlife Ranger Challenge:

Covid-19 has created a temporary safer world for Africa’s wildlife. But the floodgates are opening as the economic impacts of Covid drive more poaching. With tourism gone, the rangers who care for wildlife lack the resources to do their jobs. Avu Lagoon Community Protected Area’s ranger teams are joining thousands of others across the continent taking part in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, a series of physical and mental challenges, culminating in a 21km virtual race on Saturday 18th September.

August 16th: Training Activity Push Up Challenge

August 23rd: Wildlife Quiz

August 30th: Training Activity Sit Up Challenge

September 18th: Wildlife Ranger Challenge

You can join them! Show your support and sign up to run or walk with the community game scout team from wherever you are in the world:  WildlifeRangerChallenge.org/registration. Now is the time to go the extra mile to support our rangers!

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Your contribution will help support 8 rangers and an estimated 17422 livelihoods in and around the Avu Lagoon Community Protected Area in Ghana. Every dollar we raise via JustGiving will earn an additional 25% match!

Your donation also helps to unlock vital funds for other ranger teams across Africa; the Scheinberg Relief Fund will donate the equivalent of 75% of the amount raised to the Ranger Fund!

The role of rangers:

Community rangers are employed to enforce hunting bans and restrictions in farming, fishing and other natural resource extraction. Their patrols cover the aquatic habitat and adjacent terrestrial protected core zones that preserve key habitat for the focal species. Their work is critical in detecting and mitigating threats from incursions by farmland or livestock, adjacent agricultural burns, and other bylaw infractions. They are also instrumental in population monitoring for the target species via camera traps and sign surveys. The rangers monitor bird species richness as an indicator of wider conservation benefits, assist with environmental awareness campaigns, and support the eco-tourism program.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

Three additional rangers have been employed to support the five existing rangers of the Avu Lagoon Community Resource Area Management. The rangers have been able to increase the number of patrol days from 10 to 40 ranger days per month to ensure the critical habitats of the sitatunga are constantly protected from human disturbances. Arrests have been made this year due to the frequent patrols of the core zones by the rangers and support from the Wildlife Division. With the introduction of the funding from the WRC, new areas within the Avu Lagoon have been explored to locate other areas that the sitatunga roam.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

The Covid situation is settling down in the Avu Lagoon. Most of the restrictions have been taken off and life is getting back to normal. All children of school going age have returned to school but still observe the safety protocols. Within the communities, the hygiene products the community project provided are still being used. At the Ecotourism Centre, visitor intake is still very low as tourists are still cautious and sceptical about travelling. The rangers still carry out their weekly patrols to ensure core zones are protected from human encroachment and continue with biomonitoring of wildlife within the core zones.

How support in 2021 could help:

Support from WRC in 2021 would provide the rangers with additional uniforms and protective gear to replace the old ones; new good field cameras and binoculars for use in the field during patrols and thirdly, the rangers need camping equipment like tents, foldable mattresses, camping bags and cookery, additional torch lights and lanterns for night patrols and overnight  camping in the core zone. Additional and refresher training workshops for the rangers, along with annual salaries for the eight rangers and manager for 2022, will ensure the rangers morale and commitment remains high throughout the year.

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Tusk Trust Limited is a charity registered in England and Wales, No: 1186533, and a company registered in England and Wales, No: 11948023. 

In the US, “The Friends of Tusk Fund” donor advised fund is administered by CAF America (Tax ID 68-0480736)

Donors who pay tax in the UK can enhance their donation through Gift Aid, meaning that for every £10 raised, Tusk can recover an additional £2.50 for the cause from the UK Government.

US supporters wishing to make a tax deductible donation please click here.