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. Kafue National Park’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 106 rangers and an estimated 5000 livelihoods in and around the Kafue National Park in Zambia. 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 from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW), supported by Game Rangers International, are on the front line in the defence of wildlife and wild spaces across the Greater Kafue Landscape. 

Rangers patrol by foot, vehicle, and boat, with Specialised Anti-Poaching Units that react to intelligence to inform operations. All of these operations deter illegal activity, apprehend poachers, sweep for snares and assist with prosecutions. They are also on hand to deal with instances of human-wildlife conflict, helping protect both wildlife and communities.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

2020 WRC funding allowed Game Rangers International to fully support one team (23 Rangers) of the Nkala Anti-Poaching Unit, and members of the Marine Anti-Poaching Unit, providing training, equipment, rations, and operational support for the units, as well as financial support for the rangers. This includes salary support, recovery and performance incentives, and medical insurance.

GRI was also able to purchase a vehicle to support all four units based at GRI Field Headquarters in Kafue with deployments and rations.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

Although the full impact of the pandemic will not be known for many years, it is clear that, as we move into the suspected third wave, the repercussions for the wildlife and the communities will be severe.

The ongoing financial strain on families due to job losses and the shrinking economy is causing more locals to look for other sources of income, and food. The draw of poaching, either to put food on the table or for income, is increasing as other opportunities vanish.

Schools were closed, and will probably close again, leading to an increase in young pregnancies (14%), which will make continuing education difficult, as well as creating a further strain on families and the economy in the future.

International tourism has all but stopped, leaving areas around lodges and the wildlife within, previously protected by the footprint of tourism, unprotected and vulnerable.

How support in 2021 could help:

By continuing to fund the Nkala Anti-Poaching Unit, the Rangers can continue their jobs of protecting wildlife, as well as protecting the precious resources of local communities from the devastating impact of Human Wildlife Conflict. This would  ensure continued employment for the Rangers, and therefore support for their families, as well as preventing damage to crops and livestock (the loss of which leads to farmers turning to poaching for food and income). 

Supporting the Marine Anti-Poaching Unit would allow this specialised unit to continue their vital role of interdicting illegal crossings of the lake into Kafue National Park.

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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.