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. African People & Wildlife’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.

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!

---

Your contribution will help support 6 rangers and an estimated 30 livelihoods in and around the Greater Grietjie Nature Reserve in South Africa. 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:

The Black Mambas patrol the fence line of the reserve on foot in the mornings, and in the vehicle during the night. The teams remove snares, destroy poachers’ camps, supervise roadblocks to prevent wildlife trafficking, deal with copper thieves and any issues in the nearby mine that borders the reserve; assist with animal rescue operations, remove dead animals from the tar road to prevent vultures and other animals from collisions with vehicles. They also work in the nearby communities of Maseke, Makushane and Mashishimale to educate kids at schools and assist with the food relief initiative.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

With no tourism, we cannot rely on guests to report any findings and identify species locations which assisted our deployment strategy.  In addition, any lights or activities in the reserve are now considered illegal and result in the rapid response. There is no  income at the volunteer camp and rangers have had to work 52 days non-stop, whilst also expanding their snare sweeping areas outside and inside the PA.  They had also worked overtime, which we could not afford to pay out.  In the local communities, we had to raise funds to support 90 families and our school programmes were on hold.  

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

Due to the lack of tourism, our volunteer camp is mostly empty, with no income coming in.  The rangers have to cover more areas to patrol and disrupt the reserve and prevent poaching.  Subsequently, fuel expenses increased, but the fuel costs in South Africa increased too.  All our resources are still directed to salaries and fuel. We need our rangers, and, we try to keep everyone on duty. In turn, they need income to support their families.

While trying to raise funds for ourselves, we continue raising funds for 90 families in rural communities that we have been supporting since June 2020.  Four of our rangers have become mothers, which means there are more dependents to support.  Rangers are more vigilant and alert due to the heavy losses of rhinos in nearby reserves. None of the lodges operate, so no there is no information from game drives, which used to act as extra eyes for our work.

How support in 2021 could help:

100% of our rangers and environmental monitors will stay employed.  We will be able to cover the same areas with patrols and snare sweeping (needing additional fuel).  The immediate families of our rangers will have the support of their breadwinners.  Our environmental monitors will be able to continue work in schools and communities where the situation allows,  We will be able to educate our kids in our Resource Centre, where the kids also will be fed daily.  Fuel rations won't necessitate our rangers walking the routes that need to be driven which will lead to  safer patrols.

-----

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.

Main photo courtesy of Jay Spencer