At the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya, a dedicated anti-poaching team watches over a group of rhinos grazing peacefully in the golden savannah. Armed with binoculars, radios, and cutting-edge technology like drones and motion sensors, the rangers work day and night to protect these endangered animals from poachers. Each rhino is tracked and known by name, with the team’s vigilance ensuring their survival in a world where the threat of poaching is never far. For the rangers, safeguarding Lewa’s rhinos is not just a job — it’s a mission to preserve the future of a species.

Thanks to their hard work, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Northern Kenya maintained a zero rhino poaching rate in 2020 amidst the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic (and have maintained that ever since). Some of these challenges included significant drops in tourism revenue (a critical funding source for conservation efforts) and increased poaching and illegal activities. The nonprofit Tusk is a long-term partner of Lewa and was able to support the conservancy with Covid relief grants raised through their Crisis Appeal and Wildlife Ranger Challenge, ensuring that rangers could continue their vital work without the fear of being laid off. This is just one of many initiatives Tusk supports across Africa for wildlife conservation.

Tusk‘s mission is to accelerate the impact of African-driven conservation by partnering with local organizations and conservationists. They provide donor funding to empower grassroots groups, elevate African leadership, and boost visibility for conservation efforts, addressing regional challenges more effectively. Tusk focuses its funding on tackling Africa’s biodiversity threats, protecting endangered species, promoting human-wildlife coexistence, sustaining habitats, and providing conservation education. In 2023, it supported projects across 23 countries, mitigating over 1,000 human-wildlife conflicts, educating thousands of adults, planting over 150,000 trees, and protecting millions of hectares of wildlife habitat.

Friends Fund Partnership with CAF America

Tusk has a Friends Fund with CAF America. Our Friends Funds offer foreign charitable organizations a cost-effective way to raise funds from U.S. donors while avoiding the complexities of establishing a 501(c)(3) organization. By partnering with CAF America, organizations can solicit tax-deductible donations, receive dedicated support, and benefit from over 30 years of experience.

Through its collaboration with CAF America, Tusk receives support across five key areas of its mission:

1. Protecting endangered species
Tusk helps safeguard over 40 threatened species, including elephants, rhinos, lions, painted dogs, gorillas, and vultures.

2. Preserving areas of natural habitats
More than 50 million hectares of land are protected by Tusk partners, providing crucial environments for endangered wildlife.

3. Promoting human-wildlife coexistence
Tusk’s partners work to resolve thousands of human-wildlife conflicts each year, helping communities and wildlife coexist.

4. Providing environmental education
Tusk engages children with wildlife through fun, educational programs, including the Pan African Conservation Education (PACE) project.

5. Advocacy and Awareness
Tusk raises awareness of conservation challenges through initiatives like the Tusk Conservation Awards and the Tusk Conservation Symposium, supporting collaboration and giving a platform to African conservation leaders.

Tusk’s impact in Africa is far-reaching, with dedicated efforts in wildlife conservation, environmental education, and advocacy creating lasting change across the continent. From safeguarding endangered species like rhinos and vultures to empowering local communities with knowledge and resources, Tusk’s partnership with CAF America amplifies its ability to protect Africa’s rich biodiversity. Through innovative collaborations and community-driven conservation, Tusk continues to be a vital force in ensuring a sustainable future for both wildlife and people across Africa.