Tusk donation announcement

We’re really pleased to announce that we have just donated £780 to Tusk Trust to support their African wildlife efforts. The threats to Africa’s unique wildlife is more urgent than ever due to continued poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict but your purchases will make a real difference in tackling these issues. The fact that the Black Rhino is critically endangered with its population falling by 97% demonstrates how dire the situation is unfortunately.

So, what are the main issues facing African wildlife? The first and most well-known issue is poaching. Unfortunately iconic African species, such as elephants and rhinos, are still being hunted for their tusks, teeth and horns. If you were ever unsure of the scale at which this poaching takes place, the illegal wildlife trade is now worth an estimated $20billion per year. This makes it the fourth largest criminal industry behind drugs, arms and human trafficking. This isn’t a select number of individuals hunting for sport; this is a fully fledged industry that needs tackling.

Meanwhile habitat loss remains the greatest threat to wildlife globally with roughly half of the world’s forests gone. In Africa, species that require large ranges and migratory routes are left struggling. The African lion now has to live on 10% of the land that it once occupied. This problem is only set to worsen, along with the other main threat to wildlife: human-wildlife conflict. Africa’s human population continues to grow significantly putting further strain on the limited resources the wildlife has left. Africa has to find solutions that benefit both people and the wildlife, which poses one of the toughest challenges.

As Tusk work with local organisations to amplify their expertise, we can’t say for certain what the money will be used for but examples of what that amount can achieve include:

• Cover a community scout or wildlife ranger’s salary for two months
• Feed and care for an anti-poaching tracker dog for eight months
• Equipping a wildlife ranger with a digital radio and portable solar panels for anti-poaching patrols
• Provide materials needed to build two predator-proof livestock enclosures to prevent human-wildlife conflict
• Provide annual field rations for two wildlife rangers

Whilst we’re always aiming higher and as we grow the donations will grow, this money will have a real meaningful impact. 

Our purpose has always been to make doing your bit for the environment as easy as changing your drink but that’s not possible without you. We want to say a massive thank you to all of you that have supported us because it’s you and your money that is making a difference.

There’s a long way to go and we have lots of plans for fundraisers to make Arrowtown’s impact bigger and better so watch this space. But for now, thanks for all your support and keep doing your bit.

Cheers,

Rob and James