We are proud to once again join almost 200 ranger teams across Africa in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge. On 18 September 2021, hundreds of rangers – including eight teams of our own conservation guardians – will gear up to run 21 km with a 22 kg backpack in full kit, all in a bid to raise funds for the thousands of the men and women who man the conservation frontline on this breath-taking continent that we call home.
The economic stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continental-wide collapse of ecotourism has threatened the livelihoods of rangers and their communities. The reduced ranger presence in turn, has resulted in an increase in poaching and the protection of iconic wildlife species are at risk now more than ever before. This threat is expected to increase further with ranger capacity remaining low and as international borders open.
A global campaign #ForWildlifeRangers is using the power of ranger voices to call on the public to support Africa’s rangers by donating to the Ranger Fund, or by taking part in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge in solidarity. Funds raised will cover the operating costs for at least 5 000 rangers, enabling them to provide for their families, protect communities and wildlife in some of the continent’s most vulnerable areas.
Despite facing multiple challenges, our rangers have stood tall, unwavering in their commitment to safeguard Africa’s precious biodiversity, and protect the wildlife that we all hold so dear.
Meet our ranger teams and the parks they protect
This year, Peace Parks Foundation will be joining this incredible cause with eight ranger teams from seven parks situated in four transfrontier conservation areas across three countries.
The ranger teams are:
- Team Sioma Ngwezi National Park in Zambia;
- Team Nyika National Park and;
- Team Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve in Malawi;
- Team Maputo Special Reserve;
- Team Banhine National Park;
- Team Zinave National Park and;
- Teams 1 and 2 from Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.
All of these parks are supported by and managed in partnership with Peace Parks Foundation and the various conservation authorities in the three countries, including theDepartment of National Parks and Wildlife in Zambia, Department of National Parks and Wildlife in Malawi and National Administration of Conservation Areas in Mozambique, as vital components of transfrontier conservation areas within the southern African landscape.
Our 2020 donors made a real difference
Last year, we entered two ranger teams from Sioma Ngwezi and Nyika national parks into the 2020 Wildlife Ranger Challenge. Because of the generosity of the donors who supported these teams, 100 essential Tentco Junior Wanderer tents could be purchased for the rangers of Sioma Ngwezi National Park. The rangers of Nyika National Park received much needed funding to fuel their vehicles, rations, incentives for informants and accommodation necessary for counter poaching efforts.
Your support will help rangers like Lucrescencia Macuacua from Limpopo National Park, who was also a finalist in this year’s prestigious Rhino Conservation Awards. Becoming a wildlife ranger has changed her life and now she is giving back to conservation and her community by teaching children about wildlife protection through the Peace & Changemaker Generation, a joint project with the World’s Children’s Prize Foundation and Peace Parks Foundation in Limpopo and Gonarezhou National Parks
Our ranger are making a difference, and so can you!
You can keep boots on the ground for wildlife by supporting our rangers and the precious conservation areas they protect. Our rangers have had significant impact in the parks they safeguard and with every dollar you give you make it possible for them to do even more.
To make you contribution visit their Just Giving pages by following the links below:
Even your smallest gift could make the world of difference and what’s more, your donation will be amplified – The Scheinberg Relief Fund will match 25% of your donation, widening your impact and boosting your support of the rangers.
Don’t let wildlife rangers carry the burden of protecting this planet’s precious natural resources alone.
