WILD TOMORROW'S WORLD RANGER DAY 2023 - A HUGE SUCCESS
THANKS TO YOU WE HAVE DOUBLED OUR SUPPORT FOR WILDLIFE RANGERS IN 2023.
2023 has been an exciting, productive and extremely fulfilling year for many reasons.
One of those reasons was the overwhelming success of our World Ranger Day campaign, aimed at supporting the brave men and women on the frontline of protecting our planet’s wildlife and wild spaces. Watch our video of the happy Wildlife Rangers receiving their donated gear.
Our goal was to supply these wildlife rangers with the equipment most urgently needed to enable them to perform their vital duties effectively, often in difficult and inhospitable conditions.
We asked and our amazing supporters answered, to the extent that we were able to supply seven different wildlife reserves, six in South Africa and one in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with their full wish-list of desperately needed equipment… and then some!
A total of $41,600 was raised through our 2023 World Ranger Day campaign – more than double the amount raised in 2022 – all thanks to your incredible and generous support. Of this amount, 100% was used for the acquisition of all the equipment, boots and uniforms requested, as well as upgrades to several ranger camps and facilities.
In November 2023 we completed the last of the deliveries which means rangers across all seven reserves are fully kitted and much better prepared to protect our precious wildlife resources going into the end of this year and into 2024.
In total we delivered the following items:
· 207 pairs of boots
· 62 sets of uniforms
· 59 rainsuits
· 128 tactical caps
· 125 chest rigs
· 5 Camelbak hydration packs
· 72 torches and tactical lights
· 5 binoculars
· 1 digital camera
· 8 books
In addition, we were able to complete much needed upgrades to solar power systems at the ranger camps which not only improves their basic living conditions but enables them to charge radios and other essential electronic equipment used in the course of their duties.
SUPPORT FOR THE K9 ANTI-POACHING UNIT
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi’s K9 Anti-poaching Unit receiving some of the donated supplies.
As part of the overall campaign, we also received donations which were earmarked specifically for the intrepid K9 anti-poaching unit at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. These funds enabled us to upgrade the kitchen facilities at their ranger camp and conduct repairs on the unit’s tactical response vehicle to ensure they can continue to operate at maximum efficiency. We also covered the costs of additional specialized training for members of this highly skilled unit. This was all over and above the hydration packs, chest rigs, tactical caps and other equipment provided to the rangers of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
None of this would be possible if not for you – our valued supporters. We are proud and humbled to be the conduit that connects people like you, who care deeply about the plight of the world’s wild animals with the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to protect them and the wild spaces they inhabit.
So once again, on behalf of the rangers and the wildlife under their custodianship – we say a huge and heartfelt
THANK YOU.