Force For Nature

Repost: @africanparksnetwork Matusadona National Park (@matusadonanationalpark), a partnership between African Parks and @_zimparks since 2020, is thriving, with notable wildlife recoveries and increased sightings of a range of different species. This success marks a turning point for this biodiverse area, home as it is to five critically endangered, seven endangered, and six vulnerable species. This progress highlights the impact of stable and collaborative conservation efforts. To expand these gains, Matusadona is working with partners and communities beyond the park boundaries, addressing habitat challenges, and supporting communities through sustainable livelihood projects. Efforts include tackling the illegal wildlife trade, creating community-led conservancies, and establishing wildlife corridors. These initiatives aim to ensure lasting ecological balance and long-term ecological and economic benefits for the Nyaminyami region. 📸 @donalboyd #forcefornature #conservationevolved #wildliferangers #wildlifehero #wildlifeconservation

Though leopards are the most resilient big cat, they have declined by more than 30 percent over the last 22 years. They have disappeared from entire swathes of their historic range and may now be extinct in 26 countries that they formerly roamed. These findings, released on June 27 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are part of an update to its Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN lists leopards as “Vulnerable,” but some subspecies are in critical condition. Because leopards are adaptable and secretive, living in places that most wild cats won’t, it’s difficult to evaluate their status. Trying to understand the prevalence and whereabouts of a species across two continents requires on-the-ground surveys, mapping, and computer models. But with a nearly three-million-square-mile range, large areas have never been surveyed. Shrinking habitat, along with diminishing prey and conflict with people, pose the top threats to leopards’ long-term survival, as well as escalating climate change and mushrooming human population. However, leopards face a plethora of threats, from mines, roads, civil unrest and armed conflict to logging, railroads, wildfire, poorly managed trophy hunting, poaching and more. Source: @natgeo #nationalgeographic #leopards #ranger #appreciation #wildliferangers #wildlife #conservation #heroes #inspiration #nature #endangeredspecies #forcefornature #community

Repost: @nswnationalparks The overall health of our largest national park, Kosciuszko National Park, has been assessed for the first time through our EcoHealth Scorecard Program. The Scorecard is the result of an unprecedented survey effort with 100 permanent monitoring sites, more than half a million animal images, 16,000 hours of acoustic recordings, 4,000 plant records and 1,225 bird records. The data was collected in 2022/23 and will provide a baseline for measuring the health and changes to the park over time. Kosciuszko remains a stronghold for many threatened species. However, there are significant challenges with 11 feral animal species (including wild horses) and over 50 weed species detected at monitoring sites. Sadly, several native mammal and bird species are no longer found in the park. Horse impacts have contributed to water quality in many areas of the park failing to meet guidelines related to turbidity (clarity) and other ecological requirements. In 2023/24, KNP has increased invasive species control with over 9,000 feral animals removed, including 7,285 horses and over 1,800 deer, pigs, cats, foxed and rabbits. We’ve treated 12,008 hectares of the park for weeds and will continue to adjust our fire management to protect critical habitats. The next report is due for release 2025-26 and will include targeted surveys for koalas, yellow-bellied gliders and several threatened plants. This is the second of 8 locations in our world-leading program to audit the health of our national parks. View the #NSWParks EcoHealth Scorecard report here: https://lnkd.in/eCFnnC8Z #forcefornature #conservationevolved #wildliferangers #wildlifehero #wildlifeconservation

Repost: @cici_png_ Teamwork in Action: Protecting Turtles Under the Stars In the stillness of the night, our community rangers, both new recruits and seasoned protectors, come together for a vital mission: safeguarding turtle nests. For our new community rangers, these night patrols are part of hands-on training, learning to track nesting turtles, collect eggs, and protect them from threats. Guided by the wisdom and expertise of our long-standing rangers, this collaboration ensures every patrol is both educational and impactful. Pictured here: Our dedicated team at the hatchery, diligently recording data at 1:00 AM after returning from outer island patrols with turtle eggs ready for safe relocation. Every step we take together strengthens our mission to conserve marine life and empower communities. A big shoutout to all our rangers for their hard work and commitment to making a difference! #forcefornature #conservationevolved #wildliferangers #wildlifehero #wildlifeconservation

Planned burns are protecting bats and biodiversity in central QLD 🔥🦇⁣ With over 80% of Australia's breeding population of little bent-wing bats and one of the nation's few colonies of the vulnerable ghost bat, #MountEtnaCavesNationalPark is a sanctuary of immense ecological significance, and a recent planned burn played a vital role in conserving these protected bat species. ⁣ ⁣ Ranger Bryce said the planned burn showcased a collaboration between First Nations school students, dedicated #OldGuysRehabilitatingEcosystems (OGRES) volunteers and Rangers to maintain and restore the national park's delicate ecosystems following catastrophic bushfires in 2018. ⁣ ⁣ 'The planned burn will support the local bat colonies by managing grass—reducing hiding ability of predators like cats and foxes as well as helping the bats forage for food,' Ranger Bryce said.⁣ ⁣ Planned burns not only enhance ecological resilience, ensuring the conservation of species and habitats that rely on these sensitive landscapes but they also reduce the risk and intensity of bushfires. Repost: @qldparks #forcefornature #conservationevolved #wildliferangers #wildlifehero #wildlifeconservation

Our founder, Jamie, recently spoke to @universityofbristol about Force For Nature and how studying a PhD with the university impacted his view of the world. Full video: https://lnkd.in/gy43QZZz #forcefornature #conservationevolved #wildliferangers #wildlifehero #wildlifeconservation

Meet the Kenyan ranger finding new ways to fight poaching When Edward Ndiritu joined Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, central Kenya, as a rhino monitor in 1996, poaching had already reduced the nation’s black rhino population from 20,000 in 1970 to fewer than 300. Driven by a fear that they might disappear completely, Edward worked his way up the ranks to become the head of Lewa’s anti-poaching unit. In 2015, his team’s community-minded approach to conservation won him the first Wildlife Ranger Award from conservation charity Tusk. While a rhino hasn’t been killed by poachers in Lewa since 2020, the threat endures. What kind of skills do you need to be good ranger? "You need be honest and hardy — wild animals don’t have weekends. But you also need to be motivated: a happy ranger is a good ranger, and that’s why we’ve invested in proper training, proper equipment, and made sure they have time to see their families. Today, my job is to ensure their happiness and wellbeing, but when I was first promoted, nobody understood that ensuring the rangers’ wellbeing was the first step to minimising poaching. Conservation is all about people." Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/eNWZJwqc Sources: @natgeo @lewaconservancy @edward.ndiritu #nationalgeographic #rangerspotlight #ranger #appreciation #wildliferangers #wildlife #conservation #heroes #inspiration #nature #endangeredspecies #forcefornature #community

What is a snare and why should we care? Repost: @cslzambia Snares are simple yet deadly traps, made from wire, cable, loop and or string. When triggered, they tighten around an animal’s neck or leg, causing severe injuries, infections, or even death. Snares are often hidden along animal trails, making them nearly invisible. These traps are frequently set by poachers targeting species such as elephants, lions, and rhinos. Unfortunately, snares don’t discriminate—they can capture any animal that passes by, including carnivores, primates, and birds. Once trapped, animals endure painful suffering, and many are left with permanent injuries if they manage to escape. At Conservation South Luangwa , we run snare removal operations to clear wildlife corridors and rescue animals in need. We also work closely with local communities to prevent poaching and encourage sustainable livelihoods that don’t harm the environment. Let us protect South Luangwa’s wildlife and end the use of snares for good. 💚 📸 | @philomena_photos for CSL & @mjosejozie #WildlifeConservation #AntiPoaching #CommunityEngagement #CSL #ProtectWildlife #ConservationLeadership #SouthLuangwa

The Black Mambas Crime Prevention Unit has many tricks up their sleeves to combat the night and keep our wildlife safe. With this equipment, the CPU team can keep a watch on wildlife in vulnerable places even at night. Repost: @theblackmambas #forcefornature #conservationevolved #wildliferangers #wildlifehero #wildlifeconservation

Let’s take time to celebrate cheetahs! In 2010, Dr. Laurie Marker designated December 4th as International Cheetah Day. The annual celebration was set in remembrance of a cheetah cub named Khayam, that she raised at Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. Khayam was a cheetah trained for the first research project in rewilding. The research was to determine if captive-born cheetahs could be taught to hunt. In 1977, Dr. Marker took Khayam to Namibia for the research project. This trip gave her an understanding of just how endangered the cheetah was becoming. As a way to protect their livestock, farmers were eliminating cheetahs from the landscape in very large numbers. In 1990, Dr. Marker launched @ccfcheetah and relocated to Namibia to mitigate the problem of farmer-cheetah conflict. Because of her interactions with Khayam, Dr. Marker dedicated her life to becoming the cheetah’s champion. She chose December 4th – Khayam’s birthday – to be the day the world would join together in celebration of the fastest land mammal. Find out more about how to get involved and celebrate by visiting https://lnkd.in/gqSZpp2 Source: @ccfcheetah #cheetah #internationalcheetahday #ranger #appreciation #wildliferangers #wildlife #conservation #heroes #cheetahs #nature #endangeredspecies #forcefornature #community