As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on an extraordinary first year for the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa. Launched on Earth Day, 22 April 2024, our mission to conserve, rewild, and protect Africa’s wildlife and wilderness has flourished in remarkable ways. Guided by our three core pillars—Space for Species, Wildlife and Biodiversity, and Conservation for Communities—we have taken significant strides towards building a more sustainable future for both wildlife and people. One of the highlights of this year has been the expansion of our programmatic footprint. Beginning with initiatives in South Africa and Zimbabwe, we extended our reach into Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya in November. By focusing on strategic partnerships and community engagement, we are creating a ripple effect of conservation impact across the continent.
Milestones in Conservation
One of our most impactful achievements this year was completing our first rhino translocation. A group of white rhinos, rescued from a captive breeding operation, were relocated to Dinokeng Game Reserve in South Africa. This landmark effort was made possible through a collaboration with WeWild Africa and African Parks. This milestone was made even more special by the involvement of Anele Ntshiyane and Vuyisanani Busakwe, graduates of our Greening Young Futures program. They experienced many firsts during the translocation, from flying in a plane to working closely with rhinos—an unforgettable journey that deepened their commitment as wildlife ambassadors.
Rhino Conservation
Following the deployment of an AI-enabled rhino alert system at Founders Lodge in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, significant advancements have been made in safeguarding rhino populations. The lodge team can follow movement patterns and alert responses, allowing real-time interventions to mitigate potential threats. This advanced technology has proven invaluable in enhancing the protection of these iconic animals, ensuring their safety within the reserve.
Cheetah Rewilding
Nkanyiso, the first cheetah rewilded through our program, has shown remarkable progress this year. Despite recovering from a serious leg injury, she is thriving in her enclosure at Nyosi Wildlife Reserve. Her four cubs, now nine months old, represent a brighter future for their species, contributing to the genetic diversity critical for the long-term survival of cheetahs. With cheetah populations under threat, these cubs bring hope for reversing the decline and stabilizing their numbers. Plans are underway to carefully release them into the wild, ensuring their adaptation is seamless and sustainable. This project highlights the importance of genetic diversity, and the role rewilding plays in the survival of vulnerable species.
African Penguin Conservation
In partnership with SANCCOB, we continued advancing African Penguin conservation efforts. This year, we supported the expansion of SANCCOB’s chick-rearing unit in Cape Town and celebrated a successful penguin release event in which 12 penguins were returned to the wild. These iconic indicator species serve as a vital barometer for ocean health and biodiversity.
Water for Wildlife
In Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, our Water for Wildlife initiative tackled one of the region’s worst droughts in decades. By maintaining key watering holes and upgrading solar-powered water pumps, we ensured life-saving resources for countless species. A particularly heartwarming success was the rescue of a baby elephant trapped in thick mud, made possible through equipment we facilitated.
Rewilding Landscapes
Our acquisition of a 682-acre reserve within the Bushman’s River Corridor was another landmark achievement. This property is part of a broader biodiversity corridor initiative aiming to create one of the world’s most biodiverse conservation areas. Work is already underway to restore this land through vegetation mapping, alien species removal, and soil erosion control. This effort epitomizes our vision of linking landscapes to provide space for species to thrive – in particular, megafauna like rhinos and elephants.
Empowering Communities through Conservation
Conservation is only sustainable when it uplifts communities, and our Greening Young Futures program embodies this principle. In 2025, 20 young people from communities neighboring Nyosi Wildlife Reserve will once again participate in an immersive four-week Siyazenzela Employability, Wellness and Leadership training course by Wilderness Foundation Africa. Two former graduates, Anele Ntshiyane, our 2023 Cheetah Champion, and Vuyisanani Busakwe, our 2024 Cheetah Champion, are now actively pursuing opportunities in conservation education and field guiding.
Looking Ahead
Looking to 2025, we’re excited to announce further projects like K-9 ranger support in Rwanda and a wildlife rescue unit in Uganda, with a focus on elephants. These efforts will address critical threats, including poaching through snares and bear traps, and bolster wildlife patrols to enhance protection. Community empowerment will also take center stage, with the appointment of ten new scouts to support rangers and increase patrol capacity. Additionally, lion and hippo recovery initiatives aim to counteract population declines in Murchison Falls National Park, while the critically endangered Mountain Bongo at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy will receive focused recovery efforts.
Elephants will serve as a key driver and catalyst for further conservation progress, as we continue our efforts in expanding rangelands and providing water for wildlife, while improving the lives of animals and people in conservation landscapes.
None of this is possible without the dedication of our partners, the generosity of our donors, and the support of the communities we serve. Here’s to another year of working together to protect wildlife, empower communities through conservation, and care for our planet.