Wildlife Rangers Challenge 2021
Wildlife Ranger teams are uniting for the 2021 Wildlife Ranger Challenge. This is a running race with one goal – to raise money to support the men and women who work in our protected areas across Africa who have seen drastic cuts in their resources to protect Africa’s iconic wildlife.
Due to the pandemic, Africa’s rangers have been stretched to capacity due to a cut in their resources from the lack of tourism, and in some countries, there has been an increase in poaching due to economic impacts. The severe cut in tourism revenue for conservation areas has resulted in more than 50% of rangers reporting that they had experienced budget cuts, and in some countries, over 30% of rangers reporting that colleagues had been laid off.
In 2020, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge was mobilised to tackle this economic crisis. US$10m was raised to support over 9,000 rangers who collectively work to protect more than 4,000,000 square kms of conservation areas across Africa. The money raised provided salaries, equipment and assisted with operating costs.
The 2021 Wildlife Ranger Challenge will see teams from 20 African countries participating in a series of mental and physical challenges, culminating in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge 21km half marathon on September 18th. These challenges allow rangers to showcase their important work, and provide a platform for their organisations to generate funding.
The three challenge components
- Virtual Race: Teams of rangers from across the continent will simultaneously take part in a 21km half-marathon competition race in their own protected areas, across hot and challenging terrain on 18th September. They will be carrying their usual work kit and equipment – 22kg backpacks for men and 15kg backpacks for women. They hope to build comradery and raise awareness about the pressure on Africa’s protected areas.
- Mental and Physical Challenges: rangers will test their physical and mental ability with a push-up and sit-up challenge and a wildlife knowledge ranger quiz. These challenges will run from 16th August to 3rd September.
- Ranger Fund: the Scheinberg Relief Fund has generously committed $1.35m in matched funds in support of the rangers most in need. A global public fundraising and awareness campaign for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge seeks to raise a total of $5m for the Ranger Fund to support thousands of rangers in the field.
You can show your support by running or walking virtually with thousands of Wildlife Rangers – including teams from Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa, North Luangwa, Nsumbu, Kafue and Simoa Ngwezi National Parks. Find out more about all the teams competing from across Africa at Ranger Teams
Train like a ranger!
Through August the ranger teams will be uniting to compete in a series of mental and physical challenges, in preparation for their 21km running race on September 18th. You can find out how a ranger trains, and join in the push-up and sit-up challenges along with the ranger’s quiz throughout August and September and see if you have what it takes to be a Wildlife Ranger.
Run to join in the race for wildlife
On 18th September, why not join in by running or walking virtually alongside with rangers from 20 African countries?
You can easily register for the challenge at www , supporting the rangers with your donation. Then on 18th September run or walk the race and log your time. Each step taken, along with each dollar raised, is a huge leap forward to bring our rangers back to pre-pandemic capacity.
Show your support with a donation
There are two ways to make a donation. You can donate to the fund or donate directly to your favourite protected area. Your donation will be matched by the Scheinberg Relief Fund, doubling your impact to support thousands of frontline Wildlife Rangers.
About the Wildlife Ranger Challenge
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is overseen by an independent steering committee made up of conservation organisations. It is coordinated by Tusk and Natural State in collaboration with ranger associations.
The Scheinberg Relief Fund, a philanthropic fund established by businessman and philanthropist Mark Scheinberg, and his family, is the founding donor of the Challenge and will be matching the donations raised.
You can find out more at www.wildliferangerchallenge.org and #WildlifeRangerChallenge
Main photo – Team from North Luangwa – the North Luangwa Rhino Stars!