Wildlife Conservation Society - Nigeria - Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2024

Rangers are Africa’s unsung heroes. They hold diverse roles as conservationists, teachers, community support workers, leaders and much more.

The Wildlife Ranger Challenge, organised by Tusk, is a celebration of solidarity, connection and camaraderie for the ranger profession. Culminating on 21st September 2024, the campaign raises vital funds for Africa's biodiversity guardians.

Situated in Bauchi State in north-eastern Nigeria, Wildlife Conservation Society - Nigeria - Yankari Game Reserve is the country's richest wildlife oasis and covers a total area of 2,244 km². Yankari contains the largest surviving elephant population in Nigeria, and one of the last remaining in West Africa, estimated at 100-150 individuals. In addition, Yankari Game Reserve also supports an important population of the critically endangered West African lion, leopards, buffalo, hippopotamus, roan and hartebeest.

WCS signed a co-management agreement with the Bauchi State Government in 2014 for WCS to manage all the ranger patrols and other conservation activities in Yankari on behalf of the government. The rangers are employees of Bauchi managed by WCS.

Before WCS's intervention, the rangers were not trained, kitted or provided with incentives and were frequently attacked and sometimes killed by poachers. WCS has invested considerably in the ranger program and rangers are now well trained, kitted and better motivated. 

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