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.  IMPACT Madagascar’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!

---

Your contribution will help support 14 rangers and an estimated 70 livelihoods in and around the Mahajeby Forests and Wetlands in Madagascar. 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 Mahajeby are members of the local conservation associations. They carry out the patrols of the forests and wetlands to ensure the legal
and sustainable use of natural resources. Two types of rangers have been established. Patrollers who patrol the habitats (lakes and forests) and record the occurrences of threats and detail any wildlife encounters. They report the data to the communities and the management team. Forest guards who, through joint patrols with the government and regional authorities, have the power to stop ongoing illegal activities in the forests and to arrest offenders who will then be summoned to court.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

The 2020 WRC helped IMPACT to accomplish some  important achievements. Most notably, it allowed for continued support within communities that would otherwise have been devastated due to the serious financial impacts of Covid-19.  They were also able to hire and train new rangers, leading to a higher frequency of patrols and wider coverage. Not only were the vulnerable habitats and species within these communities better protected, but this project also allowed for communities, families, and individuals’ livelihoods to be supported. This support also reduces the need to exploit natural resources and to turn to the forest and wetlands in the first place.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

Communities are still suffering from the effects from the loss of incomes from tourism and international volunteers and the resulting inflation in Madagascar. Wildlife poaching has increased due to the pandemic and the need for communities living in rural areas to find their subsistence through various hunting. Particularly in the target site, lemur traps have been recorded in some areas of forests. The project has also witnessed an increase in both habitat loss and degradation. Deforestation occurred at a much more frequent rate than usual taking place mostly in the form of logging, charcoal production and forest clearing. The use of bushfire for habitat clearance also occurred. With continued and reinforced presence of local patrollers, these threats would have been mitigated and/or reduced through direct discussions and joint patrols with authorities.

How support in 2021 could help:

Support in 2021 would help to continue the support of the hardworking rangers in Mahajeby project sites and all they do to safeguard critical habitat with endangered fauna and flora in Madagascar. The goal of the organization is to protect the environment and the vulnerable species and ecosystem within it, while also supporting and empowering the communities who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. Support from the WRC will help to maintain this important balance and will allow for the habitats and communities to live harmoniously alongside one another.

-----

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 Toky / IMPACT Madagascar