$150,000.00 from an anonymous donor, who has given previously, was awarded to the For Rangers initiative, for onwards granting to beneficiary field programs. For Rangers’ priority is ranger welfare, and grants support medical care and life insurance, uniforms, physical and mental wellbeing, and equipment. To a lesser extent, grants may also be used to improve living standards for rangers while on site, pay for training, and to respond to emergency needs. For Rangers has just paid for renewal of a life-insurance policy for 1,300 rangers in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria; the ultimate aim is to cover 2,000 rangers in sub-Saharan Africa.

$962.70 from James Lewin Photography was allocated to Borana Conservancy in Kenya, to help cover general conservancy operating costs. The Covid-19 pandemic has reduced international tourism to almost zero, meaning that private, community and state parks and conservancies alike are more reliant on philanthropy than usual.

$3,500.00 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation to Ol Jogi Conservancy in Kenya. This was the first of three instalments of a grant for Ol Jogi that will pay for the construction of two rangers’ houses. Back in 2019, Ol Jogi embarked on renovating and constructing new ranger accommodation. Initially, the Conservation Manager, Jamie Gaymer, had intended to renovate rangers’ stations’ roofs, as many were leaking. However, on further inspection, Ol Jogi’s Conservation Manager and Workshop Manager identified that many of the houses were actually structurally damaged. Most of the rangers’ houses had been built in the 1980s, comprised of a combination of local sand and cement with thatched roofs, and were in danger of becoming completely uninhabitable. There was little point putting a new roof on houses that might collapse and were otherwise sub-standard. It was therefore decided to build new houses. Those already completed have proven to be a great success. The houses include a kitchen and shower facility, as well as a new ablution block with a septic tank and soak pit. (Previously, rangers’ stations had long-drops, which were neither sustainable nor ecologically friendly.) The houses have been fitted with lights and electrical sockets, running off solar power and batteries. All of these improvements have had a huge positive impact for rangers, who previously had to endure leaking, structurally damaged stations. They now have dry, safe places to properly relax and rest, so they can go out on their next patrol refreshed and ready to face the challenges their work may present.

$3,500.00 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in the UK. This was the third of three installments for a 3-year project entitled “Strengthening legal and policy frameworks in China” (see March 2021 for more details).

$3,500.00 from an anonymous donor went to Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia, to help cover the work of SRT’s Wildlife Crime Coordinator, who works closely with colleagues in other agencies to gather and analyze intelligence from informers

$3,500.00 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in the UK. This was the second of three installments for a 3-year project entitled “Strengthening legal and policy frameworks in China”. The EIA will advocate for the adoption of a new State Council order and/or amendments to China’s wildlife laws; to encourage and amplify diverse voices calling for an end to trade in threatened wildlife; and to undertake research and produce analysis to support policy recommendations.

$1,000.00 from Heidi and David Welch for the For Rangers initiative, for the Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association, in response to the 2020 MARAthon held as a fundraiser.

$30,000.00 from the Sidekick Foundation for the For Rangers initiative, to help pay for the management of a new organization, ANI Partners Ltd, that will coordinate the management of Lolldaiga and Ole Naishu Conservancies, and more dynamic conservation-development-focused cooperation with key neighboring properties including Mukugodo Forest, Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy and Makurian Group Ranch.

$5,666.00 from the Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation was awarded to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The funds will be used to help pay for vehicle tires, vehicle maintenance, ranger accommodation and ablution blocks repairs, small tools and equipment etc.

$3,500.00 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation to the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in the UK. This was the first of three installments for a 3-year project; see April 2021 for more details.

$3,500.00 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation to help cover the costs of the Rhino Protection Unit (RPU) program in Ujung Kulon NP, Java. This was the third of three installments totaling $10,500. Today, there are 74 Javan rhinos, living in one population in Ujung Kulon National Park, and fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos, scattered between a number of forest locations in Sumatra. It is only thanks to the dedication of the RPUs that these rhinos survive today, that their numbers are protected and their populations can begin to grow. Each RPU consists of four highly motivated and trained local rangers, who patrol the rhino areas in order to destroy snares and traps, apprehend poachers, and act as a deterrent to those who might consider undertaking wildlife crime. They can also use intelligence operations to proactively stop poaching attempts, in cooperation with the police. This type of patrolling is necessarily funded by external parties as the authorities managing the parks cannot afford such intensive patrolling efforts. Any rhino poaching incidents – with population numbers so low – could be devastating to conservation efforts and the future of the two species. The funding for RPUs supported salaries and benefits as well as operations, transportation, equipment and guard post maintenance.

$44,000.00 from Ardea Cares for Borana Conservancy in Kenya. One of the most critical funding priorities for the conservation management team at Borana Conservancy was the need for a new vehicle for its ranger security team. Borana’s current two Landrovers, which are being used by the Anti-Poaching Unit, are now ~eight years old, and the maintenance required to keep them operational is becoming economically non-viable. The urgent priority was therefore to buy at least one new replacement vehicle, complete with bush modifications to make them robust and fit-for-purpose. In order to carry Rapid Response teams, these security vehicles are fitted with a longitudinal bench seat facing outwards, a roll cage that supports a canopy, and a roof rack over the cabin for carrying kit / equipment that enable each unit to remain in the field unsupported for up to 10 days. On the front and sides of the vehicle, further protection is added so that the bodywork is not damaged in the event that the vehicle has to go off-road to support a casualty evacuation or access an area to support a wildlife vet intervention. Specialized digital radio communication stations are fitted to the new vehicle, to enable the security team to safely coordinate operations during emergencies.

$17,400.00 from Ardea Cares for uMkhuze Game Reserve in South Africa. uMkhuze’s Conservation Manager, Eduard Goosen, plans to implement a three-year annual ranger training program across the Reserve to ensure that rangers are well-trained in field skills, tactics, armed contacts, as well as First Aid and other essential skills. Rangers risk their lives every day to protect the world’s rhino populations and their job is becoming increasingly challenging due to the ever-present threat of poaching. It has never been more important for the rangers to be properly trained and equipped to deal with these potentially dangerous and life-threatening situations. With these additional layers of support, uMkhuze’s black and white rhinos will be much better protected against the ever-present threat of poaching. A comprehensive ranger training plan has now been developed in collaboration with a training provider, Conservation Outcomes, for the next three years. Specifically, this grant is helping to cover two training courses to be held in 2021: the Basic Key Field Skills Course and the Patrol Leaders’ Course.

$2,782.80 from Ardea Cares for the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in the UK. See April grants for more details.

$10,000.00 from March to the Top was awarded to the For Rangers initiative, for onwards granting to beneficiary field programs. For Rangers’ priority is ranger welfare, and grants support medical care and life insurance, uniforms, physical and mental wellbeing, and equipment. To a lesser extent, grants may also be used to improve living standards for rangers while on site, pay for training, and to respond to emergency needs

$2,105.00 from Johnny Beveridge was awarded to Borana Conservancy’s Days for Girls appeal, to pay for menstrual kits, distributed via the Borana Mobile Clinic and Community Development Office to female students in the Borana Education Support Program. Each $10 donation includes a kit demonstration and an Ambassador of Women Health training from Pauline, the Borana Mobile Clinic nurse. The training will teach girls about their body development, menstrual cycle, menstrual hygiene and other reproductive health issues.

$50,012.00 from WildAid for the Core Critical Operations Costs appeal, developed on behalf of the Association of Private and community Land Sanctuaries (APLRS) in Kenya in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This was shared between the seven Members of the APLRS (Big Life Foundation, Borana Conservancy, Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Ol Jogi Conservancy, Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Sera Wildlife Conservancy) to help cover the salaries of security staff and associated staff costs, vehicle fuel and maintenance costs for patrol purposes, flying time (helicopter and fixed-wing, as a deterrent to incursions and reaction to any threats), and other essential costs, including: canine units; intelligence gathering and analysis; a proportion of management staff (reduced) salaries; electricity / power, water, fence and road maintenance for security purposes; communications (again security-related) and any emergency vet interventions required. All these security-related activities must continue, if the conservancies and the wildlife they nurture are to survive.

$3,500.00 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation for the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area in Indonesia. This was the second of three installments; see February 2021 for more details.

$3,500 to the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area, Indonesia. The second of three monthly grants from the Scott & Jessica McClintock Foundation will be used to help pay for the Rhino Protection Unit program in Ujung Kulon NP, home to the world’s only population of Javan Rhinos (see August 2020).

$4,800 to the For Rangers initiative in Kenya. This donation from Gary and Mary Pinkus, made in support of the 2020 MARAthon, went to the Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association.

$220,885.10 to the North Luangwa Conservation Program in Zambia. This latest installment from the Wildcat Foundation is part of the Foundation’s 2-year grant that covers a number of different aspects of NLCP’s protection and law-enforcement work in North Luangwa National Park (see March 2020).

$3,500 to the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area, Indonesia. The first of three monthly grants from the Scott & Jessica McClintock Foundation will be used to help pay for the Rhino Protection Unit program in Ujung Kulon NP, home to the world’s only population of Javan Rhinos (see August 2020.)

$1,500 to the For Rangers initiative in Kenya. This donation from Ernie and Diane Burgess, made in support of the 2020 MARAthon, went to the Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association.

$57,000 to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in Namibia. This is the first part of a 2-year grant from the Woodtiger Fund (total $100,000), for a new Rhino Recovery Vehicle (a Toyota Landcruiser V8 single-cab) and modifications (tough guard panels, line-x loadbin, stainless-steel surround on tailgate, rear replacement bumper with double spare-wheel carriers, fridge bracket in the front cab, and labor for the modifications carried out), used in MEFT’s annual planned and emergency rhino translocation and immobilization operations.

$400,000 to the APLRS For Rangers initiative in Kenya. This donation, from an anonymous donor went to the AgWild project: the formation of a conservation beef cooperative that uses specialized and dedicated leadership to coordinate collaboration to achieve the scale that leads to optimized land-use, enhanced and diverse revenue streams, economies of scale and subsequent financial sustainability (see September 2020).

$12.74 to the For Rangers initiative in Kenya. $12.74 received in misc. restricted donations will help pay for improvements to ranger welfare (see January).

$30,000 to Borana Conservancy, Kenya. This grant of $30,000 from the Holtzman Wildlife Foundation for a 2-year water-reticulation project (total award $60,000) will pay for improved water reticulation on the Conservancy. Whilst Borana has a number of dams and pans, these are subject to rains and, although the larger of these hold perennial water, the increased pressure and intra-species competition (particularly between rhino) means that areas surrounding these water points become over-browsed. This affects both habitat and Borana’s Ecological Carrying Capacity for black rhino. As a result, across the Conservancy, there are areas where water reticulation must be improved. By building more water points, constructing pipelines and equipping boreholes with solar power, this project will increase available habitat for young dispersing male black rhinos that are establishing new territories, as well as open up habitat for other species.

$3,500 to Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia. This, the third and last of three monthly installments from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation, helped pay for rations and vehicle fuel and running costs and associated administration costs.

$500,000 to the For Rangers initiative in Kenya. This donation, from an anonymous donor went to the AgWild project: the formation of a conservation beef cooperative that uses specialized and dedicated leadership to coordinate collaboration to achieve the scale that leads to optimized land-use, enhanced and diverse revenue streams, economies of scale and subsequent financial sustainability. The cooperative comprises Ol Maisor Ranch, Sosian Ranch, Suyian, Loisaba Conservancy and Mugie Conservancy, five contiguous properties in Northern Laikipia, representing more than 200,000 acres of both critical wildlife habitat and food and revenue generation for the county of Laikipia.

$3,500 to Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia. This, the second of three monthly installments from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation, helped pay for rations and vehicle fuel and running costs and associated administration costs.

$975 was also awarded to Save the Rhino International, thanks to donations made in response to its ‘On the Edge’ appeal for annual funds.

$50,000 to the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area, Indonesia. This grant was made from a major unrestricted donation from an anonymous donor, and will be used to help pay for the Rhino Protection Unit program in Ujung Kulon NP, home to the world’s only population of Javan Rhinos. The RPUs are on patrol for c. 15 consecutive days, looking for signs of rhino and other large megafauna, as well as acting upon any illegal activities, such as logging or snares. Each RPU comprises one member of National Parks staff, who is armed; the other three are from YABI, or Yayasan Badak Indonesie (the Indonesian Rhino Foundation). The project supports the work of the Indonesian government’s rhino conservation efforts.

$208 to the Rhino Protection Unit program in Indonesia. $208 received in misc. donations helped cover the operating costs of the RPUs working in Way Kambas NP in south-eastern Sumatra.

$3,500 to Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia. This, the first of three monthly installments from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation, helped pay for rations and vehicle fuel and running costs and associated administration costs.

$60,000 to “Project Horn” in South Africa. $50,000 from an anonymous donor and $10,000 from SRI Inc.’s core funds went to help cover the costs of a follow-the-money investigation into a major rhino-poaching syndicate.

$223,940.35 to the North Luangwa Conservation Program, Zambia. This grant from the Wildcat Foundation is helping to pay for law-enforcement equipment and anti-poaching operations, ranger salaries, bonuses and incentives, specialist and in-service training and vehicle running costs for North Luangwa National Park’s rangers.

$3,500 to the APLRS-Administrator. This grant, from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation, was used to help cover the salary of the APLRS Administrator, John Gitonga, for the period July 2020-June 2021 (see June 2020).

$350,000 to the APLRS-CCOC Appeal, Kenya. Another $250,000 from the Bently Foundation and $100,000 from the Rhino Recovery Fund was made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs (see Big Life Foundation, May 2020). The funds were split between the seven members of the APLRS: Big Life, Borana, Il Ngwesi, Lewa, Ol Jogi, Ol Pejeta and Sera Conservancies.

$20,000 to the For Rangers initiative in Kenya. A grant of $20,000 from Rita Cabeses Goni will help pay for improvements to ranger welfare (see January).

$500 to Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia. $500 received in misc. donations went to help cover trackers’ salaries and ration packs.

$3,500 to the APLRS-Administrator. This grant, from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation, was used to help cover the salary of the APLRS Administrator, John Gitonga, for the period July 2020-June 2021. John is based in the Rhino Program Coordinator’s office in the KWS headquarters in Nairobi, and works alongside the RPC to monitor and encourage the implementation of Kenya’s Black Rhino Action Plan.

$5,000 to Borana Conservancy, Kenya. $5,000 from Taliaferro Family Fund will be used to help cover general Conservancy operating costs, particularly welcome during the Covid-19 pandemic.

$575 to Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia. $575 received in misc. donations in response to Save the Rhino’s Covid-19 rhino crisis appeal went to help cover trackers’ salaries and ration packs.

$25,000 to Lolesha Luangwa, Zambia. $25,000 from the Disney Conservation Fund, the second instalment of a 2-year grant of $50,000, went to NLCP for Lolesha Luangwa, the conservation education program that targets 21 schools in the Game Management Areas surrounding the Park. This is part of a “hearts and minds” approach, which builds knowledge, empathy and responsibility for the Park’s black rhino population, and which is partly responsible for NLCP’s zero-poaching record. This grant will help cover Lolesha Luangwa’s running costs for the period July 2020 to June 2021.

$500,000 to the For Rangers initiative in Kenya. This donation, from an anonymous donor went to help improve ranger welfare at field programs throughout sub-Saharan Africa (see March 2020).

$35,000 to Big Life Foundation in Kenya. This grant from the Bently Foundation was made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs: the salaries of security staff and associated staff costs, vehicle fuel and maintenance costs for patrol purposes, flying time (helicopter and fixed-wing, as a deterrent to incursions and reaction to any threats), and other essential costs, including: canine units; intelligence gathering and analysis; a proportion of management staff (reduced) salaries; electricity / power, water, fence and road maintenance for security purposes; communications (again security-related) and any emergency vet interventions required. All these security-related activities must continue, if the conservancies and the wildlife they nurture are to survive the immediate crisis.

$105,000 to Borana Conservancy in Kenya. $50,000 from an anonymous donor and $55,000 from the Bently Foundation was made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs (see Big Life Foundation, May 2020).

$10,000 to Il Ngwesi Community Conservancy, Kenya. $10,000 from the Bently Foundation was awarded in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs (see Big Life Foundation, May 2020).

$40,000 to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya. $40,000 from the Bently Foundation was awarded in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs (see Big Life Foundation, May 2020).

$105,000 to Ol Jogi Conservancy in Kenya. $50,000 from an anonymous donor and $55,000 from the Bently Foundation was made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs (see Big Life Foundation, May 2020).

$40,000 to Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya. $40,000 from the Bently Foundation was awarded in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs (see Big Life Foundation, May 2020).

$15,000 to Sera Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya. $15,000 from the Bently Foundation was awarded in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to help cover Core Critical Operations Costs (see Big Life Foundation, May 2020).

$893.03 to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa. This grant, from misc. donations received for HiP, will be used to help buy camping gear and ration packs for the Park’s rangers.

$3,300 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation went to the Lowveld Rhino Trust in Zimbabwe, to help cover rhino monitoring costs in Bubye Valley Conservancy.