Tongwe Trust
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. The Tongwe Trust’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 15 rangers and an estimated 175 livelihoods in and around the Ntakata Forest in Tanzania. 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:
Tongwe Trust rangers are all local villagers , recruited from the communities that surround the Ntakata Forest. Because the Forest itself is on Village Land, there is a shared sense of ownership and protection.
The rangers also share a deep cultural attachment to the forests with the local communities - the chiefs’ burial sites / sacred groves of trees etc.
Tongwe rangers are unarmed , so must use diplomacy and intelligence to resolve issues . Where necessary they can call on police or the Tanzanian army for support.
The rangers are guardians , intermediaries and flag-bearers for their own forests.
Impact that 2020 WRC had on Organisation & Rangers:
Tongwe Trust did not enter the 2020 WRC.
Since it is only a small operation, and in such a remote area with very poor communications, we did not feel ready.
However, this year we feel confident enough to enter 2 of our brightest and best Rangers for the challenge.
Tongwe Trust is grateful to have found a true partner in Tusk and hopes to build on that relationship.
Ongoing effects of the pandemic:
Tanzania has faced a tumultuous year, losing its president in March 2021, along with the continued effect of Covid on world travel. The new President, Samia Suluhu, seems to be steering the country towards a better relationship with foreign donors and international medical authorities. Tourism is still very much reduced - approx 90% down on pre-covid levels. Conservation funding, driven by tourism and government, is also down.
In 2022/21 Tongwe Trust was planning 2 donor expeditions into Ntakata which were both cancelled. The vacuum has allowed poaching & encroachment to increase, not helped by Tanzania Government encouragement of the bushmeat trade (February 2021).
Tongwe Rangers face the multiple challenges of protecting the forests and wildlife at same time as their own health and families, all in a time of continued uncertainty.
How support in 2021 could help:
The Covid pandemic looks to have a long sting in its tail and the effects on conservation will be felt for years to come. Small trusts like Tongwe Trust have to learn deep resilience and plan for the long-run. Though we are deeply embedded in community and have extremely low operating costs - approx $1 per acre - we still need support through this critical phase.
Conservation needs to hold the line in places of critical biodiversity like Ntakata, or risk losing it forever.
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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.
