Musekese-Lumbeya-Kafue NP - Musekese Conservation
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2021
Fundraising for Tusk Trust
Story
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. Musekese Conservation’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 32 rangers and an estimated 160 livelihoods in and around the Kafue 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:
Musekese Conservation was established in the Kafue National Park (KNP) in 2017 as a response to the increasing trend and severity of illegal poaching across the region. It is a partnership with Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife carefully designed to ensure a sustainable model for conservation, and to that end has its roots deeply embedded in tourism. The rangers look after an area of the KNP which is 2700km2, almost twice the size of the Maasai Mara. Their role is critical to the conservation of this park and supporting the local communities with sustainable employment.
Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:
WRC funding has given a tremendous amount of security to the Musekese ranger operations to continue through to mid-2021. Pre-pandemic tourism would have normally funded these activities. WRC phase 1 funding was allocated to core operations of ranger deployments from rations to fuel, allowing Musekese to evaluate and explore new funding avenues to continue the project. Phase 2 funding helped to secure a reliable asset for operations whilst Phase 3 has been allocated to facilitating critical Human Rights Training for all officers.
Ongoing effects of the pandemic:
Last year when the pandemic hit there were many unknowns and many believed that the pandemic wouldn't last. Now midway through 2021 expectations are more realistic and the model as a donor run organisation has been adapted as best as possible. Current Socio-economic circumstances are an important factor in considering the success of deterrents and other law enforcement activities, data is still being analysed to assess the pandemics impact on wildlife poaching.
How support in 2021 could help:
Restructuring the model of funding for the Musekese Conservation project is going to take considerable time, whilst alternative sources of funding our found where previously tourism had to be replied upon to fund these activities. Not only could support in 2021 assist in securing core operations but also be applied to further training, skills and development of the officers. It is Musekese’s ambition to expand its outreach of not only conservation but also the local communities and education for all those involved.
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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.
Main photo courtesy of Mana Meadows
