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. Nyika 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 60 rangers and an estimated 240 livelihoods in and around the Nyika National Park in Malawi. 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:

Peace Parks Foundation has supported the development of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) since 2003. The Foundation is the implementing agent for the KfW funding for the Malawi-Zambia TFCA and oversees the TFCA Management Unit that is responsible for the planning and implementation of related projects.

Peace Parks works closely with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Malawi in developing Nyika National Park through infrastructure development, community development, rewilding and anti-poaching. The most challenging component of anti-poaching in Nyika is the terrain. Although there is good visibility, the park comprises a large area with undulating terrain. Poachers can see rangers from afar and therefore have a head start if they are pursued by rangers on foot. Road conditions are poor and the network is limited. However, a solid law enforcement strategy is being implemented and will significantly strengthen the park’s anti-poaching efforts once completed. The overall strategy  includes capacity-building and equipping of rangers, the installation of a VHF digital radio communications system, developing a central operations room and a rapid response unit with tracker dogs.

Rangers remove dozens of snares and gin traps monthly from the park and often arrest bushmeat poachers. They also guard against the rampant illegal harvesting of orchids used to make a plant-based ‘salami’ by local communities.

Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:

Support received through the 2020 Challenge assisted in providing fuel and rations to rangers to visit crime scenes and to assist in investigation and searches. This support, along with co-funding, assisted in the fight against illegal resource use in Nyika. The trends show a positive relation between increased effort in anti-poaching activities and encountering and the arresting of these illegal resource users. It is expected that with sustained effort, these illegal incidences should continue declining.

Ongoing effects of the pandemic:

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continues to negatively affect communities living around the park. Many migrant workers had to return home due to lockdowns and travel restrictions and many people are more reliant on the harvesting of natural resources to survive. Through funding received from KfW for Covid support, many cash-for-work activities has been created for communities, but there was a definite increase in the placement of snares in the park. The result is that that law enforcement efforts had to be increased in terms of coverage so that poachers remain deterred.

How support in 2021 could help:

The support in 2021 could help in enhancing law enforcement in areas of investigation and intelligence. Intelligence driven law enforcement is much more effective than ad hoc patrols. Thus, the support would be put towards strengthening the informant system and the rewarding of informants for information that leads to successful arrests. Further, it will also contribute towards the costs of travel to court and case handling, e.g. fuel, meals and accommodation. Support will also be used towards incentives for field rangers to boost morale and encourage performance amongst rangers.

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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.