Ranger Teams Across Africa Gear Up for the 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge

Ahead of World Ranger Day on Sunday, July 31st, over 100 ranger teams across Africa are gearing up for the 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge.

WASHINGTON, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Ahead of World Ranger Day on Sunday, July 31st, over 100 ranger teams across Africa are gearing up for the 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge. The Challenge, organized by Tusk, provides a platform for rangers to raise money to help thousands of their colleagues, culminating in a half marathon on Saturday, September 17th. The funds will enable wildlife rangers to protect iconic African wildlife such as elephants, pangolins, rhinos, and lions.

Following the success of previous years' campaigns, which to date have raised a total of more than $12M, the 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge will have a bigger impact than ever before, with this year's Challenge seeking to correct misconceptions of the role of rangers and support the development of the entire ranger profession.

The race will be accompanied by a series of mental and physical challenges, with the public around the world encouraged to participate alongside the rangers. New this year will be a mini challenge for ranger teams with canine units, in which dogs and handlers will demonstrate their tracking skills.

"Today, wildlife rangers face mounting pressures. Resources are incredibly stretched, with many working on the front line of Africa's protected areas lacking the essential tools to carry out their work safely," said British adventurer and Wildlife Ranger Challenge supporter Bear Grylls. "With poaching rates on the rise, the demands on rangers will only become greater. Taking part in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge is a fantastic way to show you're for wildlife rangers and ensures these conservation heroes receive the recognition and vital funds they so critically need."

In addition to Grylls, Alexander Dreymon, star of Netflix's The Last Kingdom, is supporting the effort as he has since its inception in 2020. Supporters of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge in previous years have included Tusk's Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Cambridge Prince William, Olympic marathon gold medalist Eliud Kipchoge, Behati Prinsloo Levine and acclaimed National Geographic Wildlife Photographers, including Paul Niklen and Ami Vitale.

The 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge will spotlight the ever-diversifying role of rangers to demonstrate their wider roles as conservationists, teachers, community support workers and leaders, contributing not just to their immediate communities but to global UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Three Main Components of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge:

•     Virtual Race: A competition with teams of rangers from across Africa running in a 21km half-marathon on September 17th. The public is encouraged to run or walk 5,10 or 21K in solidarity by signing-up at WildlifeRangerChallenge.org
•     Mental and Physical Challenges: Rangers testing their physical and mental ability with a push-up and sit-up challenge, the canine challenge, and a wildlife knowledge ranger quiz. Challenges run from August 30th through race day on September 17th.
•     Ranger Fund: The Scheinberg Relief Fund has generously committed $1M in matched funds in support of the rangers. A global public fundraising and awareness campaign for the Wildlife Ranger Challenge seeks to raise a total of $3M for the Ranger Fund to support thousands of rangers in the field.

Funds raised will help support the men and women on the front line of Africa's protected areas, enabling them to provide for their families and protect communities and wildlife in some of the continent's most vulnerable areas. The 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge partners include:

•     Tusk.org
•     NaturalState.org
•     http://www.scheinbergfund.org
•     internationalrangers.org
•     thingreenline.org.au or thingreenline.org.uk
•     URSA.org

For more information or to donate to the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, visit wildliferangerchallenge.org. To engage in the social dialogue, tag #ForWildlifeRangers on Facebook and Twitter.

ABOUT THE WILDLIFE RANGER CHALLENGE
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is a multi-million-pound fundraising initiative supporting wildlife rangers across Africa's protected areas. These brave men and women are working tirelessly to safeguard the continent's iconic wildlife while raising awareness of the increasingly diverse role the wildlife rangers at a time when resources are more thinly stretched than ever before.

ABOUT TUSK
For more than 30 years, Tusk has worked to amplify the impact of progressive conservation initiatives across Africa. Since its formation, Tusk has helped pioneer an impressive range of successful conservation projects across more than 20 countries. These initiatives have not only increased vital protection for more than 40 different threatened species, but also helped to alleviate poverty through sustainable development and education amongst rural communities living alongside wildlife.

Tusk partners with the most effective local organizations, investing in their in-depth knowledge and expertise. By supporting and nurturing their conservation programs, Tusk helps to accelerate growth from an innovative idea to a scalable solution. The charity, which has Prince William as its Royal Patron, has raised and invested over $100M since its founding in 1990.

Media Contact

Heather Marohn, Bullseye Communications, 9082683770, [email protected]

SOURCE 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge