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. Afzelia Ltd’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 14 rangers and an estimated 150 livelihoods in and around the Northern Tuli Game Reserve in Botswana. 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:

Conservation areas are changing and developing all the time forcing it’s custodians to be fluid, responsive and forward thinking to cushion against impacts brought about by real and significant challenges resulting from requirements and impacts due to human population growth, the need for resources and land. The Northern Tuli APU teams are tasked to protect the conservation integrity of the reserve which they achieve through gathering and using this information during patrols, night activities and other field activities to combat wildlife crime impacting the reserve. Challenges have to be carefully managed whilst standing steadfast and maintaining the end objective of protecting areas significant in value be it wild or heritage related.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

The 2020 Wildlife Ranger Challenge assisted the organisation and it’s rangers to keep conducting day to day patrols and protect the Northern Tuli Game Reserve reserve over the last 15 months. WRC funding was used to pay rangers salaries, fund the equipment needed to establish a third mobile team so that the further reaches of the reserve could be properly patrolled. Team members have also received training in wildlife poisoning and how to deal with its effects on the ground. 

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

Unemployment levels have sky-rocketed and the associated loss of income or partial income has had a very negative effect on the communities surrounding areas. Poaching on both a subsistence and commercial basis has increased due to the poverty and loss of income created due to Covid-19. The downturn in tourist numbers have however been devastating on all tourism related businesses and the effects of job losses and a failing economy still spells greater doom for the country’s protected areas as people become more and more desperate. Since 30th June 2020 to March 2021 1905 wire snares have been collected. 

Fundraising events such as WRC are more important than ever. Without initiatives such as the WRC there is no doubt that Northern Tuli would not be able to keep their ranger teams in place at capacities where meaningful law enforcement strategies can be maintained.

How support in 2021 could help:

With increased pressure due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the number of tourism operations who have in the past created work and business opportunities have dwindled to a level where most communities surrounding the reserve have been left without any form of income. This is placing more and more pressure on reserves as well as on rangers who are seeing family, friends and fellow community members who are in dire straits. In the Northern Tuli Game Reserve commercial operations have had to place 50% of its staff on unpaid leave due to the loss of business. Support from WRC21 will provide support for the rangers as per WRC. 

Please click here to watch the video of our Team.

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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.

Photos courtesy of Trevor Kleyn