Mount Kenya Trust Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2021
WILDLIFE RANGER CHALLENGE 2021
LAST CHANCE TO DOUBLE YOUR DONATION FOR OUR RANGER TEAM, FORESTS and WILDLIFE. THANK YOU!
THE FINAL EVENT

On September 18th, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge culminated in the 21km half marathon. Across the African continent, wildlife rangers strapped on their 22kg kits and raced across their respective protected areas in one last push to showcase their strength and dedication to their work.

Mount Kenya Trust’s Joint Wildlife Protection Team was joined by nearly a dozen other MKT rangers and staff in support during their race. The team completed the strenuous 21km race in just 3 hours and 12 minutes! We are so incredibly proud of our team and everything they have accomplished over the course of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge.

As a reminder, the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact communities and wildlife across Africa. Mount Kenya Trust has undergone substantial budget cuts that are essential for supporting our rangers whose work is crucial for the protection of the wildlife and environment of Mount Kenya.

We are so grateful to everyone who has contributed so far. Continue reading below to learn more about our team’s success in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge!

THE LAST DAY TO DONATE IS
SEPTEMBER TODAY.

EVERY DONATION IS MATCHED SO PLEASE MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO HELP UNLOCK FURTHER FUNDS. Every little bit counts.

A huge thank you to those of you who have already donated.
Donate Now
The Joint Wildlife Protection Team with their 22kg kits before the start of the race.

THE HALF MARATHON

Our team trained extremely hard in preparation for half marathon, completing many lengthy treks with heavy backpacks over the past month and a half.

Spirits were high when the race began at exactly 8:06am on September 18th.
The start of the race!

The Joint Wildlife Protection Team was joined by other MKT rangers and operational staff as well. They cheered them on the whole way, keeping the team motivated and their energy level up!
Top left: The kits being weighed prior to the start of the race. Top right: The rangers walk through the forest. Bottom left: Edwin gives two thumbs up in support. Bottom right: Jimmy cheers on the team.
The team sprints to the finish line. Congratulations to everyone!

In just 3 hours and 12 minutes, our team finished the 21km race. A huge thanks to all those who supported the team in person and virtually!

THE PRIOR CHALLENGES
Pushup competition
On August 16th, the team participated in the first challenge. All of the ranger teams across Africa who did over 300 pushups were asked to redo the challenge on August 24th in in a push-up shoot out! Our team were included and did an impressive 230 push-ups with no compromised push-up form. Incredible. David Mwiraria led the pack with 65 push-ups in total. We were placed 6th out of the total 47 competing teams!
Think like a ranger
On August 26th, our team was prepared to compete in a ranger knowledge quiz when an emergency called them into the field. A fire, suspected to be started by illegal herders with cattle and semi-permanent bomas, was spotted the night before and was spreading rapidly across the Rutundu area. Mount Kenya Trust teamed up with Kisima, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, Rhino Ark, and Lewa Conservancy, and within 72 hours they had successfully put out the fire.

So no quiz for our WRC team but we can promise you their challenge over the next 3 days of fire fighting with their colleagues and partners was no mean feat!
Fighting fires on Mount Kenya’s north-eastern moorlands in late August.
We applaud all of our firefighters. Congratulations to all the WRC teams that took part in the Quiz!
Sit-up challenge
On September 1st, the team performed exceptionally well in the third challenge, doing a total of 289 sit-ups in two minutes! Once again, David Mwiraria was our leader with 78 sit-ups. For this challenge MKT were put in joint 2nd place!
Support MKT Today

The effects of the pandemic are still being felt throughout Kenya and within MKT as an organisation. Our annual 10to4 fundraising event was postponed due to Covid-19 that usually fills critical gaps in our ranger team funding. The total amount raised on this event was less than 50 percent of the usual amount and we are still looking for funding to cover our operations until the end of the year. Some of MKT’s donors have reduced or deffered support out of necessity. As the pandemic continues to disrupt tourism and other services, the future still looks uncertain. But our forests and wildlife still need protection. Our catchment areas provide vital ecosystem services to the economy people across the country way beyond Mount Kenya’s slopes.

Support in 2021 would fund the Joint Wildlife Protection Team for a full 12 months once emergency funding runs out in June 2021. MKT are still looking for financing for this highly effective and impactful team that have been supported by Tusk Trust for years. If this team is moved out of the field, illegal activities immediately increase within a matter of weeks in the Ruthumbi area. 2022 events and operations are dependent on what the next 6-10 months holds for Kenya given the ongoing pandemic. Tusk and their partners have thrown us a lifeline through this incredible event. Please help to increase the support with whatever you can manage.

Every donation will be matched by the Scheinberg Relief Fund, doubling the impact of your contribution.

THE LAST DAY TO DONATE IS SEPTEMBER TODAY.
Please support the team today!
To learn more about the Wildlife Ranger Challenge please click the picture below. Thank you for your support!
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ATCNews: 

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome is the founder and publisher of ATCNews, Eastern Africa’s leading aviation, tourism and conservation news blog of its kind. Wolfgang has over 48 years of experience in the tourism, aviation and conservation fields in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, covering all aspects of safari-, hotel- and air-operations. 

The Managing Editor of ATCNews is Mrs. Esther C. Goossens.

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