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 Northern Rangelands Trust’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 970 rangers and an estimated 3,200 livelihoods in and around Kenya's Northern Rangelands. 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 provide crucial protection to wildlife in this area including critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species.  They also conduct wildlife monitoring, community patrols, anti-poaching operations, highway patrols and the recovery of stolen livestock.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

Due to the 2020 WRC, there was a decline in elephant poaching and there have been no case of rhino poaching in Sera Conservancy since inception in 2015.  There has also been a decline in road banditry cases and generally improved security within community conservancies.  There has been a return of a good number of stolen livestock and improved peace and co-existence between pastoralists communities.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

These included an Increase in bushmeat poaching and an over reliance on livestock for income by the pastoralist communities. The pandemic has caused a collapse in tourism revenue as well as livestock market closures, all leading to loss of employment, rising living costs, increased insecurity and social instability and a general loss of aid support.

How support in 2021 could help:

Support in 2021 could help to purchase food rations for rangers and buy security equipment to improve their work, as well as covering the salaries for rangers and their insurance costs.  Support could also help the maintenance of ranger vehicles and the purchase of rangers’ uniforms.

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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 Ami Vitale