Illegal harvest for various local, regional and international markets remains a threat to wildlife species all over the world. Poaching is particularly problematic for rare, high value species such as elephants, rhinoceros, pangolins, and big cats. Indeed, trade in ivory and rhino horn was one of the primary drivers of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Flora and Fauna in 1975.
SCI Foundation has been supporting efforts to combat poaching for many years, in Africa and around the world. Although well-equipped and trained rangers are critical to any anti-poaching effort, evidence shows that “boots on the ground” alone will not win the fight against poaching. A show of force can be a big deterrent in some areas; however, successful anti-poaching programs encourage a community-based appreciation for the value of wildlife. There must be a fundamental change in how individuals, communities and governments view wildlife.
Wildlife and the habitat that supports it must be valued. Above all, those who live with wildlife every day, must be able to derive financial and/or nutritional benefit from that wildlife if it is to survive. Without the ability to use and benefit from wild flora and fauna, poaching is often seen as the only option in many areas of the world.
Rural communities must be provided alternatives for herding and other practices that do not encourage responsible wildlife management and be rewarded for supporting the efforts of those dedicated to protecting wildlife if anti-poaching efforts are able to succeed in the real world.
SCI Foundation is proud to be a part of the greater picture of wildlife conservation and sustainable use. Over the last eight years, the Foundation has provided more than $500,000 to anti-poaching efforts worldwide. Below are some programs we’ve supported over the past five years, with a focus on Africa where many of the most significant illegal trade issues are focused.
Chiredzi River Conservancy
SCI Foundation allocated funds to the Chiredzi River Conservancy to promote its anti-poaching activities through the deployment of Game Scouts (anti-poaching rangers) that patrol the conservancy.
Zambia Anti-Poaching: Grzimek’s Help for Threatened Wildlife, Inc.
The Foundation sujpported anti-poaching activities in the North Luangwa National Park in partnership with Frankfurt Zoological Society, Grzimek’s Help for Threatened Wildlife, Houston Safari Club, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2013. This large scale anti-poaching effort provides law enforcement support to North Luangwa National Park and all surrounding Game Management Areas.
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Friedkin Conservation Fund
Funding from the SCI-FOundation empowered the Friedkin Conservation Fund (Tanzania) to conduct surveillance flights with microlight aircraft covering more than 9 million acres of protected areas.
Zambia North Luangwa Black Rhino Project
SCI Foundation partnered with the Frankfurt Zoological Society for large-scale anti-poaching law enforcement support to the North Luangwa National Park and surrounding game reserves for the reintroduced population of black rhinos.
Matching Grants – Coutada 9 Cape Bushmeat Project
Via SCI Foundation’s Matching Grants Program, we contributed to defraying the cost of relocating squatters out of Coutada 9 in Mozambique to help in restoration efforts for Cape Buffalo.
Wildlife Conservation Foundation of Tanzania
In 2014, the Hunter Legacy Fund donated two fully outfitted Toyota Land Cruisers to the Wildlife Conservation Foundation of Tanzania for use in anti-poaching efforts. These vehicles are still in use in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve.
Zimbabwe Lion Consultancy
In 2016, support was provided to the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association in response to a recent report that found lion hunting contributes over a third of total revenue to conservation on private land. All that money goes back to conservation, anti-poaching, maintenance, research, and community support assistance.
Namibia Anti-Poaching Project
In 2017, SCI Foundation assisted in training Namibian game guards who were not trained or prepared to deal with sophisticated organized poaching syndicates from Asia and elsewhere targeting ivory and rhino horn. Traditional knowledge and skills will be paired with modern technology and training to enable effective and innovative resource protection.
College of African Wildlife Management, Mweka
The SCI Foundation contributed to anti-poaching efforts in the Selous Game Reserve, perhaps the most iconic African safari destination. The Selous is home to large herds of elephant, a small but critical population of black rhino, thousands of African buffalo, and East Africa’s largest lion population. Poaching over the last decade poses significant threats to rhino and elephant populations in the Reserve.
Savé Valley Conservancy
Through a generous contribution from the Hunter Legacy Fund, SCI Foundation is proud to assist the Savé Valley Conservancy (SVC) in Zimbabwe with support for the community-based organizations in anti-poaching efforts in the Conservancy. The SVC supports large populations of black and white rhinos, elephants, and lions and represents one of the best examples of the conservation benefits arising from hunting in Africa.
Dyck Advisory Conservation Trust
This year SCI Foundation aworked with the Dyck Advisory Group to combat the rising tide of poaching in near the border between South Africa and Mozambique. The focus is to conduct “Counter-Poaching” in the Greater Lubombo Conservancy on the border of Kruger National Park, a primary corridor used by poachers to reach the coast of Mozambique. This area is home to globally significant populations of black and white rhino.
SCI Foundation is “First for Wildlife.” We prioritize working with local communities to resolve wildlife problems, like illegal harvest, and provide long-term sustainable solutions. The more people who get involved in conservation here at home and abroad, the better. SCI Foundation will continue to work with governments, communities and individuals to promote conservation and support anti-poaching efforts across our valuable planet.
For more information on SCI Foundation go to our First For Wildlife blog, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram, or visit our website at www.safariclubfoundation.org.
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Safari Club International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that funds and directs worldwide programs dedicated to wildlife conservation and outdoor education. Any contribution may be tax deductible under Internal Revenue Code section 170(c) as a charitable contribution to the extent permitted by law. Tax deductible amount of gift is reduced by the Fair market Value of any goods, services, or advantages that a sponsor receives for the donation. EIN #86-0292099.
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