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 Virunga 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 689 rangers and an estimated  6,750 livelihoods in and around the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 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:

Virunga National Park in eastern DRC is the most dangerous park in the world for Rangers. Over 689 male and female rangers actively serve to protect the park, its natural resources, and the local communities that have endured over 20 years of conflict. Growing instability in the region, deforestation, poaching, and the illegal extraction of natural resources are a few of the challenges that our Rangers face.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

Last year, funds raised through WRC supported a de-snaring operation in the gorilla sector of the Park. Before the pandemic, in the Bikenge area, Rangers were recovering 0.29 snares per km patrolled. During the last de-snaring operation supported by WRC, this increased to 1.1 snares per km patrolled.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

The dual impact of the pandemic and the Nyiragongo volcano eruption has put a strain on resources and funding. The region is also experiencing a new wave of Covid-19 cases affecting day-to-day operations and our Ranger's ability to protect the Park and the local community.

How support in 2021 could help:

The third wave of Covid-19 in North Kivu is directly impacting the Park and its staff. The park is now facing the realities of the pandemic. Day-to-day operations will be affected which, similar to the beginning of the pandemic, is likely to increase poaching activities. Support from the WRC will help fund de-snaring efforts in the gorilla sector and support anti-poaching efforts in the central sector, which is now home to 500+ savanna elephants.

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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.