Greater Grietjie Nature Reserve - Transfrontier Africa
Greater Grietjie Nature Reserve Team
Fundraising for Tusk Trust
Story
About the Wildlife Ranger Challenge:
COVID-19 has brought tourism revenue to a halt across Africa, threatening the important work and livelihoods of the rangers who protect iconic African wildlife such as elephants, pangolins, rhinos, lions, and more. Ranger teams are now uniting around the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, a running race with one goal: to raise money to support thousands of their fellow rangers. Now is the time to go the extra mile—it’s time to race to support our rangers. Every dollar donated will be matched by the Scheinberg Relief Fund, doubling your generous contribution.
Your contribution will help support 29 rangers and an estimated 145 livelihoods in and around the Greater Grietjie Nature Reserve in South Africa.
The role of rangers:
Grietjie Private Nature Reserve is situated within the Greater Kruger National Park and encompasses stunning landscapes, from bergs and rocky outcrops to plains and riverine bush. The varied habitat supports a healthy diversity of wildlife and an impressive birding list of over 280 species sighted, including the rare Pels Fishing Owl. And, with the removal of the Kruger National Park boundary fence and subsequent influx of wildlife into the area, the reserve is now home to the big five animals.
The Black Mambas, an all female team of rangers, is responsible for protecting the reserve and its wildlife. The Mambas patrol daily, on foot in the mornings and in a vehicle during the night, searching for any signs of suspicious or illegal activity. The teams sweep for snares, destroy poachers camps, manage roadblocks, perform inspections and more.
Mambas are also very active outside of the reserve. They provide conservation education to communities surrounding the reserve, including the Bush Babies program offered in 10 schools. Bush Babies teach environmental awareness to students 8-18 and provide opportunities for hands-on practical experience within the reserve. Bush Babies also help care for elder members of the community and are currently helping four communities through a
food security programme.
How your donation will help:
All our rangers are working and receive their basic salaries, but because of the lockdown, it has become harder to perform the core duties as funding for fuel has reduced. Any donations would assist in the following ways where possible:
- Allowances to augment basic salaries for sergeants, drivers, media liaisons, first aiders, and K9 handlers: allowances and overtime is an important incentive to the rangers.
- Fuel expenses needed for patrols and deployment within the reserve
- Patrol vehicle maintenance expenses: Rangers drive Land Rovers dating back to 1970s and roads are extremely rocky. Old vehicles need regular maintenance in order to be used for patrols in the big five area.
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Tusk is registered with JustGiving in the UK (or GoFundMe.com in the USA). Our online fundraising sites allow you to create a sponsorship form with easy access for your supporters, knowing their money is going directly to Tusk. UK tax-paying donors can enhance their contribution by agreeing to Gift Aid their sponsorship (for every £10 you raise, Tusk will receive another £2.50 from the Government provided you are a UK taxpayer). US supporters wishing to make a tax deductible donation can do so via GoFundMe.com.
