At any given moment there are thousands of wildlife rangers scattered across Africa performing the difficult and dangerous job of protecting wild things in wild places. The Wildlife Ranger Challenge raises awareness and funds internationally for conservation efforts across Africa while it connects these individuals as they compete in an epic challenge for bragging rights.

This year more than 100 teams of rangers are competing in the 4th annual Wildlife Ranger Challenge. The individual challenge events include sit-ups, push-ups, K9 handling (for dog units), and a Wildlife Ranger Quiz, all culminating on September 16th when the teams compete in a 13 mile half-marathon race where each person carries a 46 lb pack!

Many rangers from projects we love and support are participating, including teams from the Recovery of Murchison Falls Program with Uganda Conservation Foundation, the Mount Kenya Horse Patrol Team with Mount Kenya Trust, the 9-1 and 9-2 Anti-Poaching Teams with Northern Rangelands Trust, and the K9 Detection & Tracking Unit with Conservation Lower Zambezi.

You even know one of the dog participants: Skye. Skye is one of the puppies born in a local Zambian village who has been learning K9 conservation skills like tracking and detecting illegal wildlife products as a member of the CLZ/DNPW K9 Unit in the Lower Zambezi, Zambia. She has grown to become a full-fledged conservation dog, finishing 4th place in the K9 Challenge—only a few seconds from a third place finish. You can watch Skye and her ranger handler Sunday Kaonga in the video below.

Join the international fundraising effort to support rangers and the critical work they do protecting wildlife throughout Africa. Whether big or small, your donations add up to impactful change for elephants, wildlife, and to those on the front line of conservation in Africa.

Did you know that August is also National Make-A-Will Month? This makes it the perfect time to discuss the benefits of estate planning for you, your loved ones, and the causes you care about.

Take this time to leave a legacy in your will for elephants, protecting them for years to come. In addition to wills there are many other ways to support elephants, including gifts of stock and directing your Donor Advised Funds. Giving in these ways can help with next year’s taxes while making a bigger impact protecting the elephants we love. We’re always here to help guide you through the process.