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. Nsumbu 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 100 rangers and an estimated 1000 livelihoods in and around the Nsumbu 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:

The rangers of Nsumbu are the front line protection against the exploitation of natural resources across this vast landscape of water and land. They provide direct resource protection against poaching, but importantly protect people and crops against wildlife when necessary, straddling a delicate balance. Nsumbu's rangers offer a direct link between communities and livelihoods where most of the ranger force is recruited from the surrounding communities, and given the opportunity to enter and advance in wildlife careers - the leaders of tomorrows world.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

The 2020 WRC provided a platform for the Nsumbe rangers to realize they are part of a bigger team and family, and that the job they do, the role they play in protecting ecosystems, wildlife and the natural world is a noble one admired by many across the globe.

The comradery developed during the training and challenges in 2020 built a spirit of togetherness and motivation that continues into 2021.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

The impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to be felt in the Nsumbu ecosystem, particularly through the continued loss to tourism activities and the income derived which both directly and indirectly support rangers. This reduced tourism has impacted jobs and related livelihoods with missed targets and expectations in tourism development across the wider ecosystem and provided a challenge in linking the value of nature with the value to human life. Poaching in Nsumbu - particularly bushmeat poaching for consumption has continued to pose a threat.

How support in 2021 could help:

Support from the 2021 WRC will provide a backstop against declining support for large ecosystems and landscapes in a world struggling with the pandemic, in a time when securing wildlife and habitat is more important than ever.  Poor outlook for tourism in 2021 means community groups that employ rangers will face a shortfall in income, and a subsequent challenge to provide salary support, patrol equipment and improved living conditions for rangers on the front line.

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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.