Wildlife Conservation Zambia Project #40137

Wildlife Rangers

by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Project Report | Apr 14, 2026
Wildlife Rangers - April Update

By Camilla Capel | Development Executive

Rangers prepare for patrol at Musa Camp, Nkala Gam

As 2026 unfolds, we’re excited to share new updates on the impact of your support on the Wildlife Rangers DSWF is proud to work with. Already, it is proving to be another remarkable year of achievements in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and habitat protection.

Rhino Protection: Community Guardians and Blockchain Technology

In Namibia’s Kunene region, our conservation field partners utilise 70 conservancy rhino rangers recruited directly from local communities to monitor the last truly free-ranging population of southwestern black rhinos. These rangers operate across 13 distinct conservancies where rhinos roam without fences, conducting monthly monitoring and intelligence-gathering activities scheduled through March 2027. To ensure maximum transparency and reward ranger effort, our partners are even developing a blockchain-based patrol performance certificate.

In India, our partners protect over 70% of the global greater one-horned rhino population through proactive enforcement and a sustained informant network that has successfully averted at least five poaching attempts in the last year. They bolster these efforts by providing essential field gear to Village Defence Patrol groups who serve as the first line of defence in local communities.

Tiger Conservation: Snare Removal and Real-Time Surveillance

Tiger recovery is a major focus in Thailand’s Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai (DPKY) Forest Complex, where your support helps manage a fragile population of 34 to 36 Indochinese tigers. Protection efforts here have shifted to combat a rise in wire snares, with rangers removing nearly 1,500 traps in 2025 alone. To stay ahead of poachers, 283 officials have been trained to use GSM cameras and EarthRanger software for real-time forest monitoring. In India, tiger conservation is integrated into a broader strategy that uses legal orientation workshops to improve conviction rates for wildlife crimes, which have recently seen an 8-9% increase.

Elephant Security: Elite Units and Aerial Monitoring

In Zambia, our partners safeguard approximately 3,500 km² of critical habitat through the Nkala Conservation Project. This mission utilizes Special Anti-Poaching Units (SAPU) and conventional ranger deployments to conduct intelligence-led patrols that deter ivory poachers and illegal resource users. For 2026, our partners have set an ambitious target of 10,000 Ranger Man Days and 50 flying hours to provide 40% aerial coverage of the most vulnerable entry points in the landscape. To maintain high performance, 100% of these rangers are provided with specialised insurance and access to a qualified nurse.

The K9 Protection Units: A Specialised Tool for Justice

In India the K9 unit and their handlers have a clear operational plan for the year ahead which focuses on intelligenceled enforcement, contraband detection, and broad habitat protection. Working alongside a sustained informant network, they help disrupt wildlifetrade kingpin operations and have already contributed to averting multiple poaching attempts. Trained to detect illegal ivory, tiger skins, and pangolin scales, the dogs provide crucial evidence that supports rising conviction rates for wildlife crimes.

Throughout the year, the unit will patrol 2,400 km² across Kaziranga, Orang, Manas, Laokhowa, and Pobitora, ensuring even remote ecosystems remain protected. The 2026 budget fully covers specialised healthcare, food, and handler honorariums to keep the K9 unit performing at its best.

Pangolin Protection: Hidden Monitoring and Community Surrenders

Because pangolins are difficult to track due to their low abundance, conservationists are using creative methods to ensure their safety. In Thailand, long-term camera trap routes covering 387 km² are used to detect Sunda pangolins and monitor their habitat for illegal logging or poaching. In Zambia, community outreach and radio broadcasts have become so effective that local individuals have begun surrendering captive pangolins to authorities, moving the species away from the illegal trade and back into the safety of protected landscapes.

By funding these rangers, dogs, and technologies, you are helping to create zero-poaching zones where wildlife can thrive alongside the communities that protect them.

Thank you for your ongoing support to protect wildlife.

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Dec 17, 2025
Wildlife Rangers - December Update

By Camilla Capel | Fundraising and Events Executive

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re excited to share updates on the impact of your support on some of the Wildlife Rangers DSWF is proud to work with. It has truly been a year of achievements in wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and habitat protection.

Rhinos – In India, playing a critical role in the protection of Rhinos, our field partners report three K9 sniffer dog units are now able to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day in rhino habitats, supported by a round-the-clock information network for law enforcement. These incredible dogs— Veera in Kaziranga, Harley in Burapahar, and Nova in Nagaon—play a vital role in anti-poaching efforts. In sad news, however, after undergoing a successful splenectomy in September and returning to active service, eight-year-old K9 Jubi passed away. She provided years of outstanding service in fighting wildlife crime and poaching in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. A huge loss for the entire team.

Painted Dogs – In Zimbabwe,the remarkable growth of the Umkhonto pack—from just 6 individuals to 25 strong—is the result of extraordinary dedication by our field partner’s rangers. Over the past three years, our partners have worked tirelessly to keep this pack of dogs safe from poaching and road accidents, often going to incredible lengths. They physically moved the pack away from poaching hotspots and dangerous roads, even escorting them across high-risk routes like the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls Road to prevent fatalities. To make the landscape safer, they installed road signs and built speed bumps near Hwange National Park to slow traffic. They also harnessed technology by deploying solar-powered GPS collars, developed with partners, to monitor movements and respond quickly to threats. When poaching pressure intensified, the team created a “virtual fence,” cleared thousands of snares, and mobilized more than 70 scouts to secure the area, turning it into a recognized no-go zone for poachers. Even during critical times, such as when females were heavily pregnant, rangers prioritized safety and moved packs to secure areas despite immense challenges.

This unwavering commitment has led to eight pups being born safely and a thriving pack that symbolizes hope for the species. Your support empowers these frontline heroes to continue their life-saving work and create an environment where painted dogs can flourish for generations to come.

Elephants – In Zambia, our field partner rangers put themselves on the frontline to protect elephants, secure habitats, and keep communities safe from illegal wildlife crime. Their courage and commitment are extraordinary—and your support makes it possible.

Over the past six months, rangers have delivered 3,336 patrol days, covering more than 10,000 km to safeguard critical areas. They carried out 150 patrols, recovering five illegal firearms through intelligence-led operations, and dedicated 540 patrol days to protect the Elephant Release Facility in Kafue—giving orphaned elephants the chance to thrive in safety. Training has been a priority too, with 232 days focused on First Aid and Human Rights, and 23 aviation training days reviving aerial surveillance with a DSWF-funded aircraft.

A priority for our partners is investing in ranger welfare. A new 20-unit accommodation block has boosted morale and living conditions, while full kits and equipment ensure safety and efficiency in the field. The team has even launched Zambia’s first Ranger Welfare Forum, a platform to champion wellbeing and recognition.

Their excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Rangers proudly secured 1st place in Zambia in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge and celebrated World Ranger Day at Lusaka National Park—a testament to their dedication and skill.

But challenges remain. Delayed funding has strained operations, aging vehicles need urgent replacement, and rising human-wildlife conflict is stretching resources thin. Despite these hurdles, rangers continue to stand strong for wildlife. Every donation strengthens ranger capacity, provides better training and equipment, and improves living conditions for those who risk their lives daily.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to protecting and empowering Wildlife Rangers across Africa and Asia.

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Aug 21, 2025
Wildlife Rangers - August Update

By Eleanor E | Individual Giving Executive

This summer, we’re delighted to share a glimpse into the vital work of wildlife rangers that your support makes possible, and the effects that this has for India’s wildlife and the communities who live alongside them.

On the frontlines of rhino protection, our four DSWF-supported K9 sniffer dog units continue to play a vital role. Each team made up of a highly trained dog and their dedicated handler is now strategically stationed in key rhino-bearing areas across Assam. These include Orang National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary and multiple ranges of Kaziranga National Park. Working alongside forest officials, police and the Special Rhino Protection Force, these K9 units carry out joint patrols and enforcement operations, helping deter illegal activity and respond rapidly when threats emerge.

In the heart of Kaziranga, August marks a dramatic seasonal shift as we enter the peak monsoon season. The monsoon rains swell the rivers of Kaziranga, flooding large parts of the park and triggering sweeping movements of wildlife. Deer, rhinos and elephants amongst plenty more seek higher ground, and tigers, ever adaptable, follow their prey into these new areas. These conditions can increase the chances of human-wildlife conflict, particularly around the park’s fringes, where displaced animals pass close to villages and farmland. Our support ensures rangers and rapid response teams are ready, trained and equipped to step in, helping prevent conflict and protect both people and big cats.

Tigers in this season often become more elusive, seeking shelter in the dense undergrowth left lush and thick by the rains. The abundance of water and cover supports a spike in prey availability, and females with cubs take advantage of this temporary richness to feed and raise their young. Monitoring tigers during the monsoon requires skill, patience and deep knowledge of the landscape, all of which your generosity helps to sustain through ranger patrols and field-based research.

None of this work would be possible without you. From the majestic rhino to the elusive tiger, your support is equipping rangers with the equipment and knowledge to protect wildlife at every stage of life, from the youngest calf to the oldest bull. Thank you for standing with us and for making a tangible difference in the work of Wildlife Rangers.

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