Wildlife Rangers

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.

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.