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. The International Anti-Poaching Foundation’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!

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Your contribution will help support 130 rangers and an estimated 1032 livelihoods in and around the Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe. 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:

In the first three years of frontline operations in Zimbabwe, the first Akashinga team made over 190 arrests, shattering local ivory poaching syndicates and paving the way for the future of local families and nature. 

The Akashinga Program is proving more effective and enduring than the highly militarized, adversarial anti-poaching tactics of the past. It is true that our rangers are often armed, and all are trained in military and policing tactics. However, and importantly, they are also trained in communication and de-escalation…and they are a vital, vibrant part of the communities in which they work.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

The WRC 2020 support has helped IAPF's Akashinga rangers fill the gap left by a struggling conservation industry in the wake of unprecedented financial losses caused by the collapse of the tourism industry in Africa. Thanks to the WRC 2020 we were able to resume the process of recruiting, training, and deploying an additional 80 rangers to assume responsibilities in our newly acquired preserves. 

These brave women are showing great strength and determination and have become a professional and cohesive team of Akashinga rangers protecting the natural heritage of the area.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

Despite Covid-19 and related challenges, IAPF and the Akashinga program accomplished much during 2020. It took time to assess and modify operations to ensure the safety of the rangers and staff, but IAPF did it and anti-poaching operations then continued throughout the year. 

IAPF has demonstrated significant success in penetrating poaching syndicates, arresting poachers, confiscating contraband and illegal weapons, rescuing live animals (particularly pangolin), and holding conservation community meetings related to the importance of abundant wildlife to the long-term prosperity of communities. 

Over the past year, the brave women of Akashinga conducted more than 3,700 daily patrols, 500+ extended (3-5 day) field patrols, 900+ community patrols, more than 200 arrests, and their mere presence has prevented uncountable poaching and illegal black-market animal parts trafficking activities. Patrols and arrests have continued to gain momentum with an overall conviction rate of 86.2% between 2018 and 2020 (excluding on-going cases).

How support in 2021 could help:

Support in 2021 will help contribute to stopping the increased wildlife crime that IAPF is expecting to happen over the coming months and start to drive a downturn in elephant poaching in the Zambezi Valley region. This will be done through conducting arrests, seizure of illegal weapons, cyanide, ivory, rhino horn, and pangolins - both live and dead. This effort will help meet the need for increased protection of wildlife.

The support will also promote community benefits through providing the women with local employment, personal life skills development, academic qualifications, career guidance, and access to further learning.

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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.

Main photo courtesy of Kim Butts