In 2015 I left my job in the Broadcasting Industry to launch a new organisation, Wild Survivorsbecause I couldn't bare to imagine a future without the elephants. These magnificent beings have suffered for long enough. But there is something we can all do directly, which makes a long term impact on their survival! Find out below...

After poaching, the second biggest threat to the elephants, is conflict with people over land.As the human population in Africa is set to double by 2050, a battle over land is fought between farming communities, and the migrating elephants - who require huge expanses of land to survive. Elephants mow down and eat crops which farmers depend on, whereupon land owners retaliate, and elephants are often harmed or killed as a result.

How we prevent this, with your support:

Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) is a complex challenge. At Wild Survivors, we partner with communities to deliver a sustainable and scalable solution, through beekeeping. Elephants are afraid of bees, and will avoid them at all cost! Farmers can become beekeepers (through your support), mastering a new skill set which not only maintains peace between elephants and people, but also provides communities with an additional income source - from honey and wax sales! 

Beehive fences are a highly effective technique, first developed by Dr Lucy King, in Kenya. We're replicating this scalable solution in Northern Tanzania, helping communities to receive benefits from conservation with self-sustainable honey businesses, which improve quality of life, and facilitate human-elephant coexistence! 

Wayne Lotter & PAMS Foundation

For us to succeed, it was clear to me that learning from other active and successful organisations in the field, by collaborating and sharing resources, was crucial. 

I approached PAMS Foundation. PAMS (Protected Area Management Solutions) have successfully protected over 30,000 elephants in Tanzania, through their intelligence-led anti-poaching projects, and HEC mitigation with chilli fences (elephants also dislike chilli!) PAMS are responsible for the increase of over two thirds of the elephant population in the South, a critical stronghold which had been decimated during the poaching spike between 2009 and 2015. 

Co-founder of PAMS, Wayne Lotter, immediately stepped in to help me and Wild Survivors, in our efforts to install the environmentally-friendly beehive fences. Dedicating hours of his time to guide and advise myself, and Project Coordinator Gervas, Wayne sprung into action: skype calls, meetings in Arusha, and connecting us with colleagues and partners in the field. Always on the end of a phone call, or email, Wayne, and the PAMS team, were a central part to us pursuing our dream to protect the elephants, with bees.

Tragically, on 16th August 2017, Wayne was killed by a cowardly poaching ring, who felt threatened by the mighty waves Wayne and PAMS were making in taking down the ivory kingpins who were heading up the international syndicates. 

The news of Wayne's death shook us to the core. Since this awful time, I've felt compelled to do something, anything we could, to honour Wayne: a uniquely kind man, and pioneering conservationist. Whilst supporting PAMS through this enormously difficult time. 

The Twin Peak Challenge was born! An opportunity for climbers and conservationists alike to embark on a thrilling challenge, to shine a lasting light on Wayne's legacy, and raise crucial funds for PAMS Foundation and Wild Survivors.

This year (and for years to follow), we are taking on two of Africa's tallest mountains - Mt. Meru & Mt. Kilimanjaro, back-to-back! With two climbing teams embarking on the expedition, in August and September. 

Please sponsor our efforts, by donating anything you can to support the work of Wild Survivors and PAMS Foundation. Your support means so much, and truly boosts the beehive fence and ranger projects delivered by the two orgs. All donations received are split 50/50 between Wild Survivors and PAMS.

During the tougher days on the mountains, and when reaching the almighty summits, I will be thinking of Wayne. His endearing nature, unique humour, and resolute mindset towards saving the elephants. Wayne will always be remembered, and celebrated. 

Thank-you for taking the time to read my story, and this page! Please donate what you can, and pass on the word!

If you know of anyone who may be interested in taking part in the Twin Peak Challenge 2019, (or last minute sign-ups for this year), or those who wish to support our cause, please pass on this sponsorship page, and my email address: francesca@wildsurvivors.org

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

THANK-YOU! ASANTE SANA! 

Fran

Related links:
www.wildsurvivors.org  https://pamsfoundationtanzania.org/  

https://www.economist.com/news/obituary/21727875-fighter-tanzanias-elephants-was-51-obituary-wayne-lotter-was-killed-august-16th