You can follow campaign updates on social media with #ForWildlifeRangers or find out more at WildlifeRangerChallenge.org.

TEAM CHARARA came 5th/7 teams entered by Tashinga Initiative

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. Charara Safari Area’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 59 rangers and an estimated 590 livelihoods in and around the Charara Safari Area in Zimbabwe. 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 in the Charara Safari Area (1,692kms²) with the extent of its western shoreline formed by the vast Lake Kariba, are the front line of defence across a biodiverse-rich landscape along Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River hinterland. They patrol and carry out anti-poaching operations within the Charara Safari Area, part of UNESCO's Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve and KAZA, the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Area. This vital wildlife corridor between Middle and Lower Zambezi is critical for wildlife survival and particularly as human and poaching pressures increase in the area.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

2020 WRC impact has been far reaching and beyond expectations. The organisation has been strengthened through WRC’s dynamic programme which has enabled it to address real needs of Rangers, WRC's rare understanding of field Rangers’ key role, its follow-through, and its reporting requirements. An amazingly eager response to participating in WRC 2021 is testimony to the more informed and aware ZimParks authority on information-sharing and being part of the Africa-wide Ranger family. WRC is regarded as a symbol of strength, enduring support, and understanding of Rangers' roles in conservation.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

Lower Zambezi Valley, of which Charara is a part, is under a rapidly increasing threat to its integrity owing to ZPWMA’s deteriorating financial and management capacity, Covid-19 fall-out after 100% loss of foreign revenue, poverty-driven and commercial poaching. Bi-lateral funding is partially supporting Ranger salaries.  Tashinga Initiative is currently implementing Tusk's WRC20 project supporting the enabling environment for Rangers across  LZV protected areas. 59 Charara (including Kariba) Rangers form part of ZimParks' LZV's ranger force.  No Rangers were affected by COVID in 2020 but in 2020 poaching rose dramatically, wire-snaring by 80% but it was contained within 6 months; however fish-poaching and impounded boats increased by more than 100% compared to previous years.  The poaching levels put the Rangers under significant pressure due to manpower shortages.  There was an increase in HWC deaths due to crocodile attacks as a result of illegal fishing.

How support in 2021 could help:

There has been an overwhelmingly positive response by ZimParks and its Rangers to the WRC support already provided during the last 11 months. The ongoing impact of WRC total grants (USD119,576 todate) on the 125 out of +/-280 LZV field-based Rangers, working in LZV's contiguous wildlife protected area (12,820 km²) and related patrolling requirement, continues to be hugely significant. Tashinga Initiative is keen to enhance the reach and impact of WRC21 in LZV benefitting an additional 155 LZV Rangers, including this dedicated Charara WRC Team and their fellow Rangers. Food security, vehicle/boat and fuels provision will always remain dominant budget lines, followed by equipment and training.

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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.