To tackle the magnitude of the problem, our partners, Frontier, joined forces with the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation [GKEPF] to combat wildlife crime within Africa’s Central Lowveld – a transfrontier zone extending across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Home to the continent’s largest population of wild, free roaming rhino in the world – heightened support in the area was critically needed. The area has been heavily targeted for rhino poaching in the past decade, with the rhino population in the Kruger National Park decreasing 75% in the past 12 years to a remaining 2,000. Through developing the essential components of an efficient counter poaching system, we worked collectively to turn the tide of wildlife crime, and mitigate the alarming threats inflicted upon field rangers.

Early on in the mission it was discovered that to be effective in the combatting of wildlife crime, it was critical for neighbouring reserves to cooperate and work seamlessly across reserve boundaries. With thanks to our donors, our project partners were able to bolster relations and build integration which resulted in a more unified anti-poaching force in the Greater Kruger. In terms of the impact the training had, last year GKEPF arrested over 30 suspects and recovered over 30 firearms, one only has to think of the alternative path this narrative could have taken. With over 100 Field Rangers losing their life each year, high quality training also ensures that those fighting wildlife crime on the front line not only save the animals they protect, but crucially – themselves. Our donors helped to strengthen the skillsets of Field Rangers, and provide vital air support to deter, detect and disrupt poaching throughout Kruger’s vital wilderness. In other words, a rather momentous impact.