Thank you for making our grants possible!
Click on the sections below to see the grants we’ve sent so far this year (our financial year runs April 2024 – March 2025).
Further down, you’ll see all of the grants we sent between April 2023 and March 2024.
More information on how we spend money can be found in our Audited Accounts on the Charity Commission’s website and Impact reports (latest copy viewable here).
If you’d like to understand more about our funding priorities, take a look at our grant-making policy. Further guidelines on applying for a grant can be found here.
Grants 2024-2025
Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia
- We sent a total of $2,162.64 received from Sanctuary, together with €4,000 from Ales Weiner, £12,000 from the Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust and £199.83 received in misc. donations via our website, to help cover the cost of the Rhino Protection Units year (e.g. salaries, guardpost maintenance, equipment, transportation), which cost c. £3,300 per month working in Ujung Kulon NP. In Q2 of 2024, multiple news reports have been published about the discovery and arrest of rhino poachers responsible for more than 20 deaths of Javan rhinos; we anxiously await the results of a security assessment currently underway
Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia
Association of Private and community Land Rhino Sanctuaries, Kenya – For Rangers
Association of Private and community Land Rhino Sanctuaries, Kenya – 51 Degrees Ltd
- $1,819 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid the salary of 51 Degrees’ Intelligence Assistant for March 2024, who analyses intelligence and prepares reports for site managers
- $1,819 from INL via Project UPTICK paid the salary of 51 Degrees’ Intelligence Assistant during April 2024
- $1,819 from INL via Project UPTICK to help cover the salary of 51 Degrees’ Intelligence Assistant for May 2024, who analyses intelligence and prepares reports for site managers
- $1,819 from INL via Project UPTICK to help cover the salary of 51 Degrees’ Intelligence Assistant for June 2024, who analyses intelligence and prepares reports for site managers
- $1,819 from INL via Project UPTICK to help cover the salary of 51 Degrees’ Intelligence Assistant for July 2024, who analyses intelligence and prepares reports for site managers
Borana Conservancy, Kenya
- $2,675 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid for intelligence gathering & analysis during March 2024; $1,000 for the biannual site-visit and on-site training; and $4,408 for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during March 2024
- $32,500 from USFWS paid for Phase 2 of the upgrade to the predator-proof fence bordering Ngare Ndare Forest Reserve to mitigate human-wildlife conflict
- 2,675 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for intelligence gathering and analysis, and $4,408 from INL covered LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during April 2024
- $4,408 from INL paid for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs, and another $2,675 from INL covered intelligence gathering and analysis during May 2024
- $4,408 from INL for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during June 2024, and another $2,675 from INL for intelligence gathering and analysis during June 2024
- $4,408 from INL for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during July 2024, another $2,675 for intelligence gathering and analysis during July 2024, and $1,000 for a site visit by 51 Degrees’ intelligence analyst
Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya
- $18,813.90 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid for ongoing IT support during March 2024 for KWS sites using EarthRanger: the KWS HQ in Nairobi, nine national parks (Tsavo West, Lake Nakuru, Aberdare, Meru, Ruma, Mt Kenya, Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, Amboseli & Shimba Hills), and seven regional headquarters (Western, Mountain, Tsavo, Southern, Coastal, Central Rift (Lake Nakuru) & Eastern)
- $18,813.90 from INL via Project UPTICK covered ongoing IT support during April 2024 for KWS sites using EarthRanger
- $18,813.90 from INL paid for ongoing IT support during May 2024 for KWS sites using EarthRanger
- $18,813.90 from INL to pay for ongoing IT support during June 2024 for KWS sites using EarthRanger
- $18,813.90 from INL to pay for ongoing IT support during July 2024 for KWS sites using EarthRanger, and another $2,784 from INL for computer equipment for Hells Gate NP and Malindi Marine NP
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
- $2,675 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK for intelligence gathering & analysis during March 2024
- $2,675 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for intelligence gathering and analysis during April 2024
- $2,675 from INL paid for intelligence gathering and analysis during May 2024
- $2,675 from INL for intelligence gathering and analysis during June 2024, and another $1,000 for a site visit and on-site training by 51 Degrees’ Intelligence Assistant
- $3,675 from INL: $2,675 for intelligence gathering & analysis during July 2024, and $1,000 for a site visit by 51 Degrees’ intelligence analyst
Ol Jogi Conservancy, Kenya
- $2,675 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid for intelligence gathering & analysis during March 2024; $1,000 for the biannual site-visit and on-site training; and $4,408 for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during March 2024
- $2,675 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for intelligence gathering and analysis, and another $4,408 covered LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during April 2024
- $4,408 from INL paid for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during May 2024, and another $2,675 covered intelligence gathering and analysis
- €5,000 from Erlebnis Zoo Hannover was awarded to be spent as follows: 10 x LT10 LoRa sensors and 20 x LT20 LoRa sensors plus freight; 10 x DashCams and 10 x LED spotlights plus freight; and 1 x Cookswell large oven
- $4,408 from INL for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during June 2024, and another $2,675 from INL for intelligence gathering and analysis during June 2024
- $4,408 from INL for LoRa WAN and EarthRanger support costs during July 2024, $2,675 for intelligence gathering and analysis during July 2024, and $1,000 for a site visit by 51 Degrees’ intelligence analyst
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
- $2,675 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK for intelligence gathering & analysis during March 2024
- $2,675 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for intelligence gathering and analysis during April 2024
- $2,675 from INL for intelligence gathering and analysis during May 2024
- $2,675 from INL paid for intelligence gathering and analysis during June 2024
- $4,675 from INL paid for intelligence gathering and analysis during July 2024, and $2,000 for 2 x site visits by 51 Degrees’ intelligence analyst
Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
- £86.65, from the legacy from Ania Wanda Wasilewski, was used to pay Marey Upholstery for repairs to the canvas of the Rhino Recovery Vehicle’s canopy and to tents used during annual rhino operations
- We sent several payments from Y3 of the 5-year USFWS grant: $12,716.29 to Namibia Helicopter Services for chopper hours during annual rhino operations; $1,648.17 (N$ 30,000) to advance funds to Piet Beytell, the National Rhino Coordinator, for fuel for the Rhino Recovery Vehicle used during annual rhino dehorning operations; $27,248.84 to pay Namibia Helicopter Services for chopper hours during annual rhino operations; and $56.38 to cover subsistence and travel for Park Warden Natalie Barry during dehorning ops in March in Etosha NP
- $79,082.02 from USFWS was used to pay Namibia Helicopter Services for chopper hours during annual rhino operations
- We sent a series of grants from USFWS funds: $327.48 to pay fuel allowance for Park Warden Natalie Barry during dehorning ops in May in Etosha NP; $1,627.14 to advance funds to Piet Beytell, the National Rhino Coordinator, for fuel for the Rhino Recovery Vehicle used during annual rhino dehorning operations; and $17,780.93 to reimburse Namibia Helicopter Services for chopper hours for annual dehorning operations
- We sent further grants from USFWS’s grant for calendar year 2024: $141.31 to pay for repairs to the Honda generator used to power the chainsaw and fridge (for storing genetic samples) during rhino dehorning operations; $140.49 for emergency repairs to the truck used in annual rhino operations; $281.08 for the fuel allowance for Park Warden Natalie Barry during dehorning operations in Etosha NP; $1,451.31 for repairs to one of the rhino trucks used in annual dehorning ops; and $1,663.90 to advance funds to Piet Beytell, the National Rhino Coordinator, for fuel for the Rhino Recovery Vehicle used during annual rhino dehorning operations
- Funds from USFWS were used to pay invoices totalling $49,208.50 from Namibia Helicopter Services for chopper hours for annual dehorning operations (30 July-9 Aug), and $10,171.10 from USFWS to pay Etzold Auto Repairs for major repairs to the Rhino Recovery Vehicle used in annual rhino ops
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa
- €4,000 from Zoo de Montpellier – Parc de Lunaret were sent to be used on an as-needed basis. Typical emergency requirements include: Equipment repairs and maintenance (e.g. boreholes, pumps, generators, geysers and water filters); repairs to vehicles that get damaged, as departmental budgets are severely constrained; perimeter fence repairs (whether due to flooding or vandalism); replacement of small items of equipment needed to keep Park operations functional (e.g. camera-trap batteries, cables); repairs to the repeaters in the Park, and cement to patch potholes; transport costs to obtain routine services, quotes, callouts; fixing emergency electrical issues; and any occasional needs for which there is no allocated budget, e.g. procuring rifle safes, in order to be compliant with Park safety rules
- $15,137.79 from Ardea Cares’ grant of $75,000 was sent to pay Tacticom Pty Ltd for the hardware needed for automatic number-plate recognition (APNR) cameras operating in and around Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, which has experienced an upsurge in poaching during the last 18 months
- $23,291.10 from USFWS (part of its Y3 grant covering calendar year 2024) was sent to pay for tyres and repairs for vehicles deployed throughout the five Sections of the Park, as well as for miscellaneous spares and repairs to the Park’s equipment items
- $10,675.99 from the Ardea Cares grant for the APNR camera project in HiP: payment for TVT 8 Channel NVR and surveillance hard drive for the TACJOC; construction of an APNR camera mount, connection fee, cloud access, data and remote support; and lithium batteries for the cameras
- We sent a series of grants to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park to be used on an as-needed basis: $12,000 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation; $764.33 from Wilhelma Zoological and Botanical Garden, Stuttgart, and $3,333 from the The Bernard F. and Alva B. Gimbel Foundation. Typical emergency requirements include: Equipment repairs and maintenance (e.g. boreholes, pumps, generators, geysers and water filters); repairs to vehicles that get damaged, as departmental budgets are severely constrained; perimeter fence repairs (whether due to flooding or vandalism); replacement of small items of equipment needed to keep Park operations functional (e.g. camera-trap batteries, cables); repairs to the repeaters in the Park, and cement to patch potholes; transport costs to obtain routine services, quotes, callouts; fixing emergency electrical issues; and any occasional needs for which there is no allocated budget
- A further grant from USFWS for calendar year 2024 will be allocated as follows: $6,000 to buy tires for all five Sections of the Park, together with the Reaction Unit; $10,000 for the repair and replacement of small items of equipment, to aid with the fixing of fences, repairs to generators and boreholes, maintenance of equipment like lawnmowers and brushcutters, as well as the day-to-day sundries that keep the Park going
- £6,900 from Colchester Zoo – Action for the Wild will pay for 20 new rifle safes, and for misc. equipment for each of the five Sections in HiP. Currently a number of pickets require rifle safes, whereby rangers’ firearms that are being handed over can be secured in an external safe outside of their accommodation. This is a requirement of HiP’s management, and is mandatory under South African legislation. Additional funding for emergency repairs or replacement will enable HiP to respond quickly when vital equipment becomes damaged. This can include unforeseen vehicle damage, repairs to boreholes, generators and water filters or replacement equipment like camera-trap batteries, to ensure they can continue running
- The Ardea Cares grant was used to pay several invoices relating to anti-poaching efforts: $119.29 to Game Richards Bay for a monitor and cable related to the security- and monitoring-related camera traps; $1,291.43 to Fogarty Electronics for 50 lithium batteries for the security- and monitoring-related camera traps; and $33,199.61 to Camera Traps cc for 150 solar panels for the security- and monitoring-related camera traps, 20 x blackflash camera traps and 10 x universal mini-mounts
uMkhuze Game Reserve, South Africa
- We sent $4,450.12 from USFWS (part of its Y3 grant covering calendar year 2024) to pay for tyres for vehicles deployed throughout the Reserve
North Luangwa Conservation Programme, Zambia
- $7,864.42 from the Wildcat Foundation was sent to help pay for law-enforcement activities in North Luangwa National Park: salaries for Village Game Scouts and the Strategic Law-Enforcement Technical Advisor; training; incentives for excellent performance; vehicle fuel maintenance; and aerial surveillance (Cessna fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter)
Lowveld Rhino Trust, Zimbabwe
Follow-the-money investigation, Africa
- £10,000 from the Mark Leonard Trust was used to help cover continued work (during the period January-March 2024) on Project Blood Orange, the follow-the-money investigation into a major rhino-poaching and rhino-horn-trafficking network
Indian Rhino Vision 2.0, India
Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia
Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia
- We sent the final £156.53 raised by the Room to rhino appeal for Way Kambas NP during November and December 2023, to be used for the reafforestation project that will restore degraded habitat in and around the Park, as well as provide fodder for the breeding population of rhinos in the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, Indonesia
- We sent a series of grants to help cover the ongoing running costs of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas NP in Sumatra, where two Critically Endangered Sumatran rhino calves were born in the space of less than 12 months: €8,000 from Odense Zoo; €3,760 from Tallinn Zoo – Fondation Lutreola; €2,470 recd from Zoo Hodinin; £3,375.35 from West Midland Safari Park; £2,724.30 from Speake Marin; and £869.70 received in miscellaneous donations via our website
Association of Private and community Land Rhino Sanctuaries, Kenya – Administrator
Borana Conservancy, Kenya
- $15,000 from USFWS was sent to cover the repair of dam Mbili. Laikipia (and Kenya as a whole) has experienced heavy rains this year (likely due to climate change and El Nino), but creating and repairing dams provides resilience during extended dry period. The grant will pay for the purchase of a bulldozer, rather than having to hire subcontractors each year, and will be more economical in the long run
- USFWS awarded a further grant for work during calendar year 2024: $14,950 will go towards maintaining boundary fences, and $15,000 for buying a JCB. The renovations of the fenceline have been progressing extremely well. In the event, Borana did not use Lewa’s configuration, which would have been very labour-intensive; nonetheless Ngare Ndare residents are very pleased with the upgrades. Towards the end of 2023, using Conservancy funds, Borana planted 76,000 indigenous seedlings in an ecological zone, which, as it matures, will create connectivity around a built-up area to join Ngare Ndare riverine woodland with Ngare Ndare forest, allowing free movement, particularly of bush babies and other species dependant on connected canopies; this has also helped reduce Human-Wildlife Conflict. Due to the heavy rainfall received in late 2023, Borana will not be able to repair dam Mbili as planned since it is full of silt. Borana would therefore requested to use USFWS funding to repair two dams that were damaged during the recent rains. The Simangua dam spillway was eroded and will require substantive repair, while a wall section of Sabrinas dam collapsed and will also require substantive repair. These dams are located in key black rhino habitat, and Borana is putting the USFWS grant towards would buying a JCB, rather than hiring in an external contractor as previously
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
- $22,403.68 from USFWS was sent to pay for the repair of dam Kubwa. This includes hire of the bulldozer, diesel, hire of a front-end loader and two tipper trucks for 8 days, and subsistence for the vehicle drivers. Another $20,776 from USFWS will be used to create exclusion-zone fences (materials, labour, rations and transport). Lewa makes extensive use of exclusion zones, which protect browse from elephants, allowing it to grow back to feed its Key 1 black rhino population
- USFWS awarded a further grant for calendar year 2024 that is being allocated as follows: $11,504 for rhino monitor training, and $9,202.22 for exclusion zones. Given the increase in the rhino populations across the Lewa-Borana Landscape, Lewa would like to deliver rhino monitoring training twice a year, and would like to increase the amount needed for the training courses (travel and subsistence for the monitors) to reflect the uplift in the cost of living caused in large part by the war in Ukraine. In addition, providing vehicle support for the monitors to deploy into the field, to visit all camera-traps and download data / replace batteries etc., and to host meetings to share the findings of the monitoring surveys have also become more expensive. Secondly the cost of fencing has increased by a further 7% since we submitted our original application in June 2021
Ol Jogi Conservancy, Kenya
- $40,000 from USFWS was sent to pay for water reticulation improvements throughout the Greater Conservancy, specifically, replacing the pipe infrastructure with 2-2.5″ HDP pipes to supply water troughs for wildlife
- £3,201.75 from the APLRS Emergency Fund to reimburse Ol Jogi for 50% of the costs incurred in caring for an orphaned rhino calf, which will eventually be able to be released into the wild
- $5,000 from USFWS’s additional grant for calendar year 2024 will be used to increase water distribution across the Conservancy. The original budget, submitted in June 2021, based costs on those incurred during the 2019 USFWS water-reticulation project that took place in the Pyramid section of the Conservancy. Since then, costs have increased, and Ol Jogi will need an additional 12.50% in order to complete its original objectives
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
- £287.51 from the APLRS Emergency Fund to reimburse Ol Pejeta for 50% of the costs incurred in caring for a male black rhino, Nawiro, which had been involved in a fight with a another male and sustained injuries to the perineum, body and eyes. He has since made a full recovery
Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
- £109.32 from the legacy from Ania Wanda Wasilewski was used to pay Dimension Data Namibia the balance of the cost of configuring the rhino database desktop
- $4,424.46 from USFWS paid Etzold Auto Repairs for repairs and maintenance (labour and spare parts) for the Rhino Recovery Vehicle used during annual rhino operations; and another $751.66 paid Off Road Centre Windhoek for repairs / spare parts for the RRV
- We sent $52,247.96 from USFWS to pay Gobabis Toyota for a new Rhino Recovery Vehicle: a Toyota Landcruiser Pickup LC79 V8 Diesel double-cab. The RRV is used in all rhino operations, transporting the ground crew to all immobilised rhinos, transporting all the equipment needed for dehorning and ear-notching operations, when DNA samples are also taken for further analysis. A further €3,600 from Ales Weiner and €695.99 from core funds were sent to pay an invoice for N$ 85,086 from Off Road Centre, for accessories for the new Rhino Recovery Vehicle
- We sent a series of payments from USFWS’s grant for calenda year 2024: $972.07 to pay Rob Jackson Veterinary Services for professional consultation and veterinary supplies; $10,986.22 for drugs and darts etc. used to immobilise rhinos during annual dehorning and translocation operations USFWS; and another $1,286.30 to pay for drugs used to immobilise rhinos during annual dehorning and translocation operations
- We made a series of payments from the USFWS grant for calendar year 2024: $1,238.16 to pay Vectronic Aerospace for iridium time for tags used by the MEFT; $1,950.75 from USFWS to pay e-obs for data transmission from GSM/GPRS-tags used to track specific animals; $2,863.69 to pay Pupkewitz Megabuild for consumables used in annual rhino ops (e.g. drill bits, chainsaw blades); $1,212.84 to pay Swavet for 30 x C-type darts used to immobilise rhinos in order to be dehorned, ear-notched or translocated; and $633.03 to pay Ahrens Guns & Ammunition for cleaning of and repairs to the dart guns used for rhino immobilisations
Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia
- $31,306.67 from USFWS was sent to help cover rhino trackers’ salaries during calendar year 2024, and another $20,000 from USFWS will help pay for the vehicle fuel needed to deploy trackers into the field
- $3,000 from the Reid Burns Foundation was sent to help pay for water provision in the rhino range. As the drought worsens, it is useful to have some funds available for pump replacements, hydrological assessments etc.
- $10,000 from an additional grant from USFWS was allocated to vehicle fuel. Fuel prices have shot up from NAD14,45/litre of petrol on October 1, 2021 to NAD22.88/litre of petrol in November 2023, representing an increase of close to 60% in 24 months. Meanwhile, SRT’s patrol effort has not decreased but remained stable, meaning that the tracker teams are doing the same amount of work – according to some indicators even more – while having to deal with increases on this scale
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa
- We were delighted to send $45,600 from Save the Rhino International Inc., towards the Y1 costs of the rhino monitoring and security project in HiP, being run in partnership between SRI, EKZNW and Wildlife ACT. Specifically, this grant will cover the refurbishment of accommodation to be dedicated to the expanded rhino monitoring unit, and for Wildlife ACT’s costs incurred in administrating and reporting on this project
uMkhuze Game Reserve, South Africa
- We sent $12,000 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation to pay for the Rhino Monitor’s salary in 2024-25 (Jasper Visser, who took up the position on 1 August 2024). We hope that Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife will make the position permanent and on the EKZNW payroll, rather than relying on donor funding
North Luangwa Conservation Programme, Zambia
Lowveld Rhino Trust, Zimbabwe
- We sent several payments from misc. restricted donations to cover the Lowveld Rhino Trust’s rhino-monitoring costs: £760 to pay for work from November 2023-March 2024 inclusive and £820 to pay for work from January-March 2024 inclusive on inputting rhino-monitoring data and £600 to pay for work on website maintenance on behalf of the Lowveld Rhino Trust
- We sent two payments from misc. restricted donations to cover LRT’s rhino monitoring costs: £1,010 for work from March-June 2024 inclusive on inputting rhino monitoring data on behalf of LRT; and £220 for further work from March-July 2024 inclusive on inputting rhino monitoring data
Education for Nature-Vietnam, Viet Nam
Environmental Investigation Agency, China
African Rhino Specialist Group – Pachyderm
- $2,000 from The Pachyderm Journal Fund established by the estate of Esmond Bradley Martin and managed by the Royal Geographical Society as sole Trustee was sent towards the production of issue 65 of Pachyderm
Canine units, Africa
Association of Private and community Land Rhino Sanctuaries, Kenya – 51 Degrees
- $970 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid for 51 Degrees’ trainer to write up reports on training courses delivered for rangers in Laikipia-Meru conservancies
- $485 from INL via Project UPTICK was sent to pay for 51 Degrees’ trainer to write up reports on training courses delivered for rangers in Laikipia-Meru conservancies
- $1,455 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for 51 Degrees’ trainer to write up reports on training courses delivered for rangers in Laikipia-Meru conservancies
- $485 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for 51 Degrees’ trainer to write up the report on a training course delivered for rangers in Laikipia-Meru conservancies
Association of Private and community Land Rhino Sanctuaries, Kenya – Administrator
- We sent £690.63 from the remainder of the APLRS Emergency Fund, to put towards the $3,500 cost of enabling the APLRS Administrator, John Gitonga, to take part in of a Strathmore University-organized 10-day trip, scheduled for October 2024, to the US to visit prestigious universities and companies in New York and Boston. The visit is planned for students in the Master’s class for Data Science and Analytics, with the objective of exposing students to modern technology, tools, and models being used in data science, as well as networking. We added a further £105.80 from core funds, and the remaining $2,500 is being contributed by six Members of the APLRS: Ol Jogi, Borana, Lewa Wildlife, Ol Pejeta and Loisaba Conservancies, Big Life Foundation and Solio Ranch
Association of Private and community Land Rhino Sanctuaries, Kenya – ForRangers
- We awarded $101,666.40 from ForRangers’ funds to pay for the renewal (13 June 2024-12 June 2025) of the VIVA 365 Group Life Insurance Policy and Medical Evacuation through AMREF for nearly 5,000 rangers working in sub-Saharan Africa
- We sent $485 from INL via Project UPTICK for 51 Degrees’ trainer to write up reports on training courses delivered for rangers in Laikipia-Meru conservancies
- We paid $5,000 from funds raised by the 2023 ForRangers Ultra runners, to pay for 20 pairs of high-quality Altberg boots for Mogwooni’s rangers. Mogwooni is a 16,000-acre cattle ranch, which uses its cattle in a holistic regenerative way to enhance the integrity of the soils, providing a platform for increased biodiversity, bordering Ol Jogi and El Karama Wildlife Conservancies. It also serves an important role in providing a buffer to Ol Jogi (an existing rhino sanctuary), and El Karama (due to receive rhinos as part of the Kenya Rhino Range Expansion project).Every year, Mogwooni helps with hosting the ForRangers Ultra, which crosses the property
- We sent a total of $242,000 from ForRangers’ res funds to pay for a comprehensive annual training programme, during the period June 2024-May 2026, for 80-100 rangers working at Sosian Ranch, Suyian Ranch, Ol Maisor, Mugie Conservancy, Lolldaiga and Ole Naishu Conservancy. Training will cover: basic fitness, human rights, weapons safety, rules of engagement, basic First Aid, reactive operations and observation / surveillance
Borana Conservancy, Kenya
- We sent £2,000, donated by Joe and Minnie MacHale, towards the medical care and expenses of five rangers injured in an ambush while responding, at the request of a neighbouring community, to reports of livestock theft. They have responded well to surgery and treatment, and are now being monitored as outpatients by the Borana Mobile Health Clinic
- $21,000 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid for 30 of Borana’s rangers to undergo the 10-day Rhino Tactical Refresher course, when key skills are taught and each ranger’s aptitude and progress since the previous course are assessed
- $3,500 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for five of Borana’s rangers to undergo the annual Commanders’ training course
- $15,960 from INL paid for training courses for Borana’s rangers: $14,700 for 30 NPRs to do the rhino training exercise; and $1,260 for 3 NPRs to do the Senior Commanders’ course
Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya
- $4,461 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid for 2 x 2-day Ops Room and EarthRanger User refresher training courses (one at the KWS Tsavo West HQ, the other at the South Conservation rea HQ: $2,900 for the trainer’s fees, and $1,561 for travel and subsistence costs incurred during the training
- $27,318.40 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for EarthRanger training courses (User refresher training in Lake Nakuru, Aberdare and Amboseli NPs; User basic in Mt Kenya NP; and Management refreshers in Lake Nakuru, Aberdare, Amboseli and Mt Kenya NPs): $23,200 for the trainer’s fees, and $4,118.40 for travel and subsistence costs incurred during the training
- $13,933 from INL paid for EarthRanger training courses (User refresher training in Shimba Hills NP; and Management refresher training in Ruma NP): $11,600 for the trainer’s fees, and $2,333 for travel and subsistence costs incurred during the training
- $13,464 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for EarthRanger training courses (User refresher training at KWS HQ and in Meru NP; and Management refresher training in Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary): $11,600 for the trainer’s fees, and $1,864 for travel and subsistence costs incurred during the training
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
- $3,500 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for five of Lewa’s rangers to undergo the annual Commanders’ training course
- $1,260 from INL was sent to pay three of Lewa’s rangers to undergo the 6-day Senior Commanders’ training course during June 2024
- $9,294 from USFWS’s further grant for calendar year 2024 was sent for rangers’ uniforms. The number of rangers has increased from 82 to 124, and inflation has increased by a further 7% since we submitted the original budget in June 2021
- $21,000 from INL paid for 30 of Lewa’s NPRs to do the rhino training exercise refresher
Ol Jogi Conservancy, Kenya
- $10,000 raised by participants in the 2023 ForRangers Ultra was awarded to improve the welfare of rangers working at Ol Jogi. The grant will pay for: law-enforcement equipment; uniforms; training sessions on snake handling and identification that will equip rangers with the necessary skills to mitigate risks and respond effectively to snake encounters, ensuring both their safety and the preservation of wildlife; cross-fit training sessions (the rangers want to learn how to use the gym equipment properly to get the best out of what has been provided, to prevent injury, and to be guided on what programmes are best for optimal fitness and strength); and smartphones to increase communications efficiency and connectivity
- $21,000 from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) via Project UPTICK paid for 30 of Ol Jogi’s rangers to undergo the 10-day Rhino Tactical Refresher course, when key skills are taught and each ranger’s aptitude and progress since the previous course are assessed
- $12,000 from the Scott and Jessica McClintock Foundation was sent to buy 64 pairs of Altberg boots, & shipping, for rangers working at Ol Jogi Conservancy. Boots are an essential item for working rangers, helping them to carry out their duties efficiently but in comfort. The Conservancy recently acquired the next set of uniforms for its rangers, except for boots. The team has tried several suppliers in the past but many of their products scarcely last more than a year. The desired Altberg boots usually last up to four years – even in these difficult conditions – compared to other brands, which often barely last one year
- $11,000 from USFWS was sent to pay for the construction of two more ranger houses, to replace ones that had fallen into disrepair
- $3,500 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for five of Ol Jogi’s rangers to undergo the annual Commanders’ training course
- $1,260 from INL paid for three of Ol Jogi’s rangers to undergo the 6-day Senior Commanders’ training course during June 2024
- $18,441 from USFWS’s additional grant for calendar year 2024 was used to buy ration packs, and another $4,650 to upgrade ranger accommodation. The rations Ol Jogi provides for its rangers are a critical component to relieve stress and keep them motivated in their work; another year of zero rhino poaching mortalities is testament to this. However, inflation has continued to hit Kenya and the cost of living continues to rise. Following COVID-19 and the consequences it had on the economy, the Conservancy was immediately hit by the economic consequences of the war in Russia / Ukraine, and fuel and food costs continue to rise. Having recently obtained a new contract for rations for the whole of 2024, the total cost will now be $33,394.56. Secondly, the cost of labour, materials for each ranger house (two bedrooms, a kitchen, shower block and toilet) and transport has escalated by 10% on 2023 actuals
Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
- $3,500 from INL via Project UPTICK paid for five of Ol Pejeta’s rangers to undergo the annual Commanders’ training course
- $1,260 from INL paid for three of Ol Pejeta’s rangers to undergo the 6-day Senior Commanders’ training course during June 2024; and another $21,000 from INL enabled 30 of Ol Pejeta’s rangers to undergo the 10-day Rhino training exercise
Sera Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya
Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia
- $4,409.32 from USFWS was sent to help cover the cost of rations for SRT’s trackers while deployed in the field
- £37.80 worth of silver and gold rhino pin badges were distributed to trackers working for the Rhino Ranger programme during CEO Dr Jo Shaw’s recent visit to Namibia
- $20,000 from the additional grant from USFWS for calendar year 2024 was sent to help cover the costs of rations for SRT’s trackers and their families. SRT has compared January 2023 prices with those in November 2023, and has observed significant increases as follows: Maize meal – a staple in all the field and family ration boxes – has increased by 25%; dried oats and pasta have increased by 12%; tinned beans and pilchards by 23% and 30% respectively; and on average, SRT has suffered an increase of around 16% for each patrol ration box, translating into around NAD700/box
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa
- $18,931.86 from USFWS (part of its Y3 grant covering calendar year 2024) was sent to improve the living and working conditions of rangers working in HiP: the grant will pay for ration packs, for camping equipment, and for repairs to accommodation and ablutions blocks
- $5,000 from USFWS for camping equipment, and another $9,000 for refurbishing ranger accommodation. As with other budget lines, prices have risen by more than the annual predicted inflation rate
uMkhuze Game Reserve, South Africa
- We sent $26,000.03 from USFWS (part of its Y3 grant covering calendar year 2024) to help improve the living and working conditions of rangers working in the Reserve, specifically, to maintain and refurbish 3 x picket camps’ kitchens and ablutions blocks (Mshopi, Diza & Mbulaweni), and the Staff Sergeant’s kitchen
- An additional $30,000 from USFWS for calendar year 2024 was sent to uMkhuze. Having implemented the project during the last two years, it has become clear that the initial budget, submitted in June 2021, was significantly underestimated. Part of the problem was the distance from which the contractor had to source the required materials, and associated increased costs in transport; a major factor has also been the increases in cost of the materials, which have been far above inflation. Finally, the Project Manager has had to supply electricity, water etc. during the renovations. Mshopi will now cost $21,866 (originally $13,866), while Diza and Mbulaweni will each cost $20,866 (originally $13,866)., and the budget for refurbishing the Staff Sergeant’s accommodation has increased by $8,000
Rhino Resource Center, UK
- We sent €1,500 from our core funds to help cover the cost of maintaining the Rhino Resource Center’s website. This is a very valuable site that has pdfs of research papers and images collated over decades, which are invaluable for scientists, researchers, academics, students and field programme managers alike
African Rhino Specialist Group, Africa
- $11,069 from USFWS was sent to help cover the cost of the Scientific and Programme Officer’ consultancy fees during 2024
- $8,402.42 from USFWS funds were sent to Bonamanzi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to secure the venue for the AfRSG meeting scheduled to take place in Q1 of 2025
- Further funds awarded by USFWS for calendar year 2024 were split as follows: $19,800 to pay for additional days’ consultancy by the AfRSG Scientific Officer, Dr Sam Ferreira; and $6,600 to pay for additional days’ consultancy by the AfRSG Programme Officer, Keit Makoma
Association of Private and community Land Rhino Sanctuaries, Kenya
- $5,248.74 from USFWS was awarded to pay the APLRS Administrator’s salary during the period July-December 2024
- An additional $1,049.75 awarded by USFWS was sent to cover the Administrator’s salary, in view of the fact that he is now doing a Master’s degree, and that the rise in the cost of living is outstripping the 5% annual increase we had originally budgeted for
Borana Conservancy, Kenya
- £250 donated by Piers Winton, and another £250 donated by Charlie Brough, was sent to Borana Conservancy, which is managing a multi-year project at neighbouring Lokusero Primary School, whose facilities are being upgraded: solar power, improved ablutions blocks, elephant-proof fence, a garden and playground etc.
- We also forwarded a grant of £7,500, following Borana’s winning of an award from OutThere Magazine, to be allocated to the Mobile Health Clinic, including upgrading the Clinic building in line with Kenyan Ministry of Health regulations
- $4,000 from Kevin and Laura Francis was sent to the Borana Education Support Programme, which aims to provide holistic conservation education and awareness to schools and communities in Borana’s immediate neighbourhood. During 2023, the BESP continued to provide bursaries to 59 students and support the salaries of 13 teachers, whilst also continuing to support infrastructure at the 10 BESP supported schools within Borana’s neighbourhood. Most recently, the BESP has been supporting these schools with the construction of ablution blocks; classrooms; canteens; boarding facilities; boreholes; water storage methods; playground equipment and electric fences. During 2023, two interns who had been part of the BESP completed internships with the Mazingira Yetu team
- £8,740.50 from George Heriot’s School was sent to Borana, which is managing a project in Ethi Primary School, which has 200 pupils and lies near Borana Conservancy. £7,512 of this will be used to pay for the creation of two new pit latrines for the teachers, a new school gate, and to renovate four classrooms (walls and roofing). The surplus will enable work to start on a new kitchen and two further pit latrines for Ethi Mixed Secondary School
- Another £8,740 received from George Heriot’s School was sent for the renovations at Ethi Primary School, near Borana Conservancy
- We sent a further £1,691.30 from George Heriot’s School for improvement works at Ethi Primary School, which has 200 pupils and lies near Borana Conservancy
- £791.52 from misc. restricted donations was used to pay conservation education consultant Richard Hennery’s costs in visiting Borana (flights to Kenya, eVisa, travel insurance and anti-malarials) to spend two weeks with the team at Mazingira Yetu, the conservation education programme, to review objectives, activities, progress to date, and the monitoring and evaluation of these
Rhino wheelchair project, UK
- We were able to make grants totalling £6,560 to our fantastic partners in the London Marathon 2024 Rhino Wheelchair project: Wild Connect, Motivation and Wales Rugby League
North Luangwa Conservation Programme, Zambia
- Thanks to a grant of $50,000 from Conservation Nation, we were able to support the Y2 (calendar year 2024) costs of the project entitled “Breaking barriers to create female participation in natural resource management”. Specifically, this project seeks to increase female representation in the wildlife protection sector in North Luangwa by focusing on: Salaries of Community Conservation Educators ($2,400); Travel for meetings, spousal visits into the Park etc. ($23,820); Training – train-the-trainer fitness instruction, girls’ clubs, gender-based violence training, and menstrual hygiene management ($5,000); Supplies – office and admin supplies, design and printing of awareness materials and Ufulu period pads ($11,130); and fitness clothing for trainers, staff, spouses’ fitness groups and vulnerable groups ($7,650).
Lowveld Rhino Trust, Zimbabwe
- We paid £28.99 from miscellaneous donations received for LRT to renew its website domain name for the period 1 April 2024-31 March 2025
Borana Conservancy, Kenya