Thursday July 31 is World Ranger Day, a day to honour and thank the brave and tireless men and women, who risk their lives on the frontline protecting wildlife. Not only do rangers play an important role in wildlife and habitat protection but they are also critical in community engagement and education.

Taronga supports wildlife protection rangers all around the world including;

Zambia

South Luangwa National Park is home to hundreds of species of wildlife and is regarded as Zambia's iconic National Park. We've provided funding for an anti-poaching campaign within the South Luangwa National Park to reduce the illegal snaring and shooting of animals for the Bush Meat trade, including African Elephants, rhinoceros, primates, antelope and birds.

Kenya

Our partnership with Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) aims to help wildlife and people through our Beads for Wildlife campaign. The beads range is made by over 600 women from Northern Kenya and funds raised support anti-poaching rangers in the Kenyan Biliqo Conservancy.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The funds raised from our mobile phone recycling campaign, They're Calling on You support the Eco-guards within the Maiko National Park, assisting with food, wages, equipment and other priority conservation areas. These Eco-guards record data on where key species are identified, as well as monitor the presence of human activities such as hunting or mining. The rangers also work with other local authorities to remove mines and hunting camps.

Sumatra - Bukit Tigapuluh

The Bukit Tigapuluh reserve is renowned as one of the last refuges of many species of endangered wildlife, including the Sumatran Rhino, Tiger and Elephant. We help fund wildlife protection teams who manage illegal logging and poaching. These units also provide community education programs, including the promotion of sustainable living.

Sumatra – Way Kambas

We support Rhino Protection Units in Way Kambas National Park to ensure Sumatran and Javan Rhinos are protected. These dedicated and highly trained teams patrol the parks to stop poaching and snaring of rhinos and other species, prevent illegal logging and gather intelligence to ensure successful prosecution of wildlife criminals.

Thailand

We provide funding for two guard stations that protect two areas of the Kui Buri National Park to monitor and reduce human-elephant conflict. Kui Buri National Park is one of the largest remaining populations of Asian Elephants.