Southern African Wildlife College
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2021
Fundraising for Tusk Trust
Story
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. The Greater Kruger 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.
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 21 rangers and an estimated 100 livelihoods in and around the Greater Kruger Area 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:
Rangers get hands-on conservation training and skills development in the Greater Kruger Area by attending the Southern African Wildlife College. Field rangers are exposed to relevant techniques such as ground-to-air patrols, the use of a K9, and the importance of community engagement.
Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge has highlighted the work of rangers and the difficulties they face and has enabled the SAWC’s operational units to continue working with passion and purpose having been given the means to continue protecting our wildlife, especially targeted species such as rhino whilst countering wildlife crime. In addition the challenge created a great sense of community amongst all of the participants and their supporters when it was really needed.
Ongoing effects of the pandemic:
Despite the lockdown, the SAWC's K9 unit was called out 23 times to support the Kruger National Park and surrounding reserves in 2020. 22 arrests were made and 13 weapons were removed from the system.
Given the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism sector, many communities in and around protected areas are feeling the impact. Some staff have been made redundant, others are working on short-time, with few staff being retained at full service levels. This on an already high level of unemployment and low GDP in South Africa. The situation is dire for many, as often the employed family member is the sole breadwinner for the family and extended family.
How support in 2021 could help:
Donations were definitely a little slower to come in from the general public but thank goodness our big supporters, such as the Wildlife Ranger Challenge understood the importance of supporting rangers who protect wilderness areas in a time where it could be seen as a lucrative 'industry' to turn to in a time of need.
-----
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.
