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. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary’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 80 rangers and an estimated 2,000 livelihoods in and around the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda. 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:

UWA has taken over the management of Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary requiring them to cover the costs of the staff and operations. The rangers are well trained and provide 24/7 protection of the rhinos and the sanctuary. 

Whilst there is a transition in management, and afterwards, UWA must be able to cover the costs of managing the sanctuary at a time when COVID has devastated UWA’s income from tourism. 

Last year Ziwa Rangers successfully participated in the WRC. This year they will join Queen Elizabeth, Murchison Falls and Kidepo Valley rangers.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

Simply enormous. UWA before COVID and the flooding of the River Nile was 95% reliant on tourism. With tourism having collapsed, UWA has been working on much reduced budgets. The WRC provided critical funds for ranger patrol food, fuel for patrol cars, motorbikes and boats, the maintenance of frontline cars, basic kit and veterinary drugs for rescues. 

In 2020 WRC support was limited to Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth Protected Areas.

How support in 2021 could help:

Ziwa is a very successful sanctuary. UWA has now taken over the  management and security of the sanctuary. This was unexpected and UWA needs both positive engagement and funding to ensure the sanctuary continues to be protected and well managed. 

Ranger salaries and operational costs must be covered and currently are not. The safety and health of the rhinos depends on the good leadership and rangers on the ground.

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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.