The African Travel Industry has come together to support African Rangers & wildlife by embarking on a cumulative 30,000KM bike ride which is being kick-started with an initial Lands End to John O’ Groats bike ride challenge starting on 15th August 2020.
Ride 4 Rangers is an initiative by the UK Africa Travel Industry in partnership with conservation charity Tusk which will see 50+ people ride the 874 miles from Lands End to John O Groats and is inviting hundreds of fellow Africa Travel industry professionals and conservation lovers to join them on the way with the aim of riding the cumulative distance of 30,000 KM – A circumnavigation of Africa.
Tourism is the key funder of conservation in Africa through park fees and a healthy wildlife population is what the industry is built on. Since the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been very little money going into the conservation system. With most holidays on hold until next year, the Africa travel industry is in dire straits and the trickledown effect on the ground across the continent is already being felt.
Money to pay rangers in some of the world’s flagship wildlife areas in Africa is simply not there. Prized wilderness areas such as Tanzania’s Serengeti, South Africa’s Kruger and many more are struggling to pay the salaries of the rangers that are critical to the safety of already highly endangered wildlife. The loss of park and conservancy fees from visiting tourists has meant that budgets have been cut dramatically. Many people have been laid off which is not only having a devastating effect for the families of those rangers, many of whom have 8-10 dependants, but it is also already impacting on wildlife as a result of a widespread increase in reports of poaching. The role of rangers is vital to maintain the long term protection of these wild places. Across Africa, wildlife rangers are the first line of defense against illegal poaching and without them many species like elephant, rhino, lion, giraffe and pangolin would be at even greater risk of extinction.
Charlie Mayhew, CEO of the conservation charity, Tusk, said: “As we come out of lockdown we are starting to realize the effect of Covid-19 across the world, and no more so than in Africa where the economic impact of the global shut down has been devastating with the tourism and conservation sectors starved of vital revenue required to protect both wildlife and livelihoods.”
The Africa Travel industry is and has always been passionate about recognizing the vital role played by rangers on the frontline working to ensure the protection of Africa’s unique natural heritage.
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Chris Mears, CEO of the African Travel and Tourism Association, commented: “The interdependence between travel and conservation in Africa has been thrown into sharp relief. I applaud every effort being made by my fellow Africa travel professionals and supporters in helping protect the livelihoods of rangers on the frontline who play such a vital role in ensuring the safety of Africa’s wildlife.”
The Ride 4 Rangers Challenge aims to raise £100,000+ as part of a wider Wildlife Ranger Challenge being coordinated by Tusk and Natural State – a new initiative specifically designed to support the salaries and deployment of African Rangers during this crisis. The initiative has been established with the support of the Scheinberg Relief Fund which has pledged to generously match all monies raised up to $5m. This means that the UK-based Ride 4 Rangers has the potential to double its impact on the ground.
All funds raised will be distributed by Tusk across some 60+ reserves and protected areas throughout Africa. The fund aims to raise and disburse US$10 million into the field over the next six-nine months supporting over 5000 rangers and their wider families.
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Mayhew added: “We are delighted to support this inspiring challenge. It is wonderful to see the drive and energy of the UK Africa Travel industry coming together to raise valuable funds to keep rangers on the frontline – recognizing the extraordinary bravery and commitment they demonstrate on a daily basis in the protection of our natural world. “
The Route
The route will journey throughout the UK from Lands End to John O’Groats via traditional LEJOG routes. For the full map visit ridewithgps.com
To get involved, visit ride4rangers.com
Ride 4 Rangers is being supported by Land Rover, which is donating the use of one of its new 110 Defenders for the duration of the ride as a support vehicle.
