Global Conservation Force is dedicated to the protection of endangered species and their habitats through wildlife protection, conservation, counter wildlife trafficking and education efforts. There is currently a race to save the worlds’ threatened wildlife. Anti-Poaching Rangers stand between the poachers and the wildlife they desire. Due to the intensity of the recent outbreak of rhino and elephant poaching; anti poaching rangers, in some regions of the world, have become more like military teams.
“More than 1,000 rangers have been killed worldwide and many more injured over the last 10 years. In Africa a recorded number of 27 rangers have lost their lives in the line of duty in the last 12 months, with nearly 80% of them killed by poachers.’’
“With poachers responsible for more than half of ranger deaths over the past two years, IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the International Ranger Federation (IRF) call for a toughened stance against wildlife crime globally” IUCN (July 2014)
Rhinos are being killed at an alarming rate for their horns. 1,215 rhinos were murdered for their horns in South Africa in 2014 and the trend for 2015 is not showing any signs of slowing down. At this rate the worlds’ rhinos could be extinct by as early as 2020- 2030. Some rhino habitat ranges have already seen the local extinction of the rhino. The demand comes from primarily China and Vietnam being used for anything from a status symbol to a cure for cancer. Rhino horn has no medicinal value, it is made of the same structure as your hair and finger nails. The ivory trade is still alive and strong on the illegal markets and it is driving the deaths of 33,000, on average, elephants a year. Organized Wildlife crime is the 4th largest market in the world, coming after drug trafficking, human trafficking and weapons trafficking. Organized wildlife crime is a vast network including every walk of life and the money rarely generally funds more criminal activity, including terrorist groups. More than just elephants and rhinos are in trouble. Giraffe populations are down by 40% in the last 15 years. Lions have gone from a population of 450,000 in the 1940s to approximately 20,000 today. For some species of Vultures there has been a decline of 97%. It is the 11th hour for many species of wildlife and GCF is stepping in to make an impact. Education is the key to environmental protection. GCF works with local and international communities to pursue success in its missions. If we do nothing, your grandchildren may never get to see a living rhinoceros, tiger, or elephant in their lifetimes. GCF approaches the solution to all these major issues in three simple categories
Anti poaching units – The APUs hold the shield for the wildlife, buying time for action in international laws, local policy change and political stability. We get them the necessary gear to do their jobs effectively. This includes focusing on new, customized gear for their region of patrol and technologies that can assist them daily. Awareness and Education – Without the knowledge of the issues and the correct way to approach solving each problem the rest of the world cant get involved. We understand that there are many problems in the world but this is where we focus on the human element of the issue. Educating local communities on sustainable tourism and the value of wildlife is just as important as talking to high school and college students about the crisis’s on the ground. On the ground action – our staff and president Mike Veale actively work on the problems, in situ, to gain the real insight from the places that are in trouble. Mike spends part of his year working with Anti Poaching units doing all types of patrols, wildlife protection details and enforcement. This is vital to ensure that the gear is getting to the correct place, the gear is appropriate and useable for the region and that it is worth continuing to supply the gear, equipment or new technology. Founded by Mike Veale in 2014, Global Conservation Force is dedicated to saving endangered species and protecting habitats. Join the fight. Pick a campaign and enlist today.
