A LIFE'S AMBITION
The Rhino Whisperer” is inspired by the true story of a young girl who fulfilled her ambition of one day becoming Head Ranger of a nature reserve, to defend and protect Africa’s black rhino.
This is just one of many stories born from the 20-year partnership between Defender and Tusk, which continues to this day.
Advanced all-terrain capability and cutting-edge technology are essential for conservationists and rangers working in the field. Together, we have supported the efforts of thousands of courageous individuals, like “the Rhino Whisperer”, to protect more than 50 million hectares of wildlife habitat and over 40 endangered species.
THE PLIGHT OF THE RHINO
Once abundant across Africa, black rhinos are threatened with extinction due to poaching and the illegal wildlife trade—the world’s fourth-largest criminal enterprise after drug, arms, and human trafficking.
Driven by the demand for rhino horn, poaching saw Kenya’s black rhino population plummet from 20,000 in the 1960s to fewer than 300 in the 1980s. While conservation efforts supported by organisations like Tusk have helped restore numbers to just over 1,000 in Kenya, the species remains critically endangered across Africa.
Conservancies such as Borana and Lewa in Kenya play a vital role in these efforts, backed by Tusk. In this 93,000-acre landscape alone, the black rhino population has grown from just 15 individuals in 1983 to 264 today. Together, these two reserves are home to 12% of all black rhinos in Kenya.
THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The success of anti-poaching efforts funded by Tusk across Africa is driven by teams of rangers dedicated to our shared mission.
Rangers are tasked with protecting critically endangered rhinos. Enabling rangers and conservationists to monitor the animals safely from within the vehicle, Defender can carry everything they need as they navigate the nature reserves.
Rangers rely on their vehicles to patrol these vast, remote landscapes every day, often under the sweltering heat of the African savannah. With focus being essential, Defender’s advanced climate control comes into its own, keeping occupants cool and alert to potential threats.
What they see and hear is vital. Sightings are relayed by patrols back to a central command centre. Wildlife managers use this critical, real-time information to coordinate teams on the ground.
RESPONDING RAPIDLY TO THREATS
When time is of the essence, Defender’s uncompromising all-terrain capability enables rangers to respond rapidly to threats. Often supported by a tracker dog unit, members of an anti-poaching team can work together to intercept poachers, tracking them down using advanced detection techniques.
It is thanks to these courageous men and women, who put their lives on the line every day, that we can hope one of the natural world’s most majestic animals will survive.
HOW TO SUPPORT TUSK
With your generous support, Tusk can and will continue to protect Africa’s wildlife and people, effectively and sustainably.
