WHAT
WE DO
OUR
APPROACH.
We firmly believe in an integrated approach to solving conservation problems. Our methods address multiple fronts: educating and supporting wildlife rangers, empowering local communities, and supporting our local partners and their conservation projects and initiatives.
Influencing positive change through a multidimensional approach.
Training Wildlife
Rangers
Wildlife rangers are some of the most undervalued frontline workers in the world. They are in desperate need of funding, proper training, and equipment to do their jobs effectively. We aim to bridge these gaps by providing critical skills training, life-saving medical training, education, and equipment donations. Now more than ever, we must support our wildlife rangers so they can safely and effectively do their jobs.
Empowering Local Communities
Communities are at the intersection of conservation problems and solutions. We strongly believe the key to lasting change is education and aim to contribute in this space in any way we can. We directly support education and outreach projects that benefit local people who are most affected by conservation issues and often marginalized from decision-making. Our goal is to contribute towards generational change through livelihood alternatives to poaching, higher education, and career programs.
Preserving Wildlife and Biodiversity
Every 30 minutes, one elephant is slaughtered. That is 55 elephants every day. Today, we have the data to prove this global crisis has taken the lives of over 100,000 elephants in just 3 years, with some areas of Africa seeing a 64% loss in their elephant population. We are active in conservation initiatives in the Greater Kruger region collaborating alongside our affiliates on de-snaring operations, rhino dehornings, wildlife rescues, and research projects.
OUR
REALITY.
1 in 7
Wildlife rangers is faced with a life-threatening injury while on duty each year.
4 in 5
Roughly 80% of children within 2km of Kruger National Park have never viewed iconic wildlife.
<3%
Of charitable dollars go towards environmental nonprofits.
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will SAVE IT." - Robert Swan
PROGRAMS &
PROJECTS.
Environmental Education
Creating the next generation of conservation leaders and changing societal perspectives starts early. SFW directly and financially supports primary and secondary education programs that bring environmental awareness and conservation to local schools.
After-School Programs
After-school activities that teach discipline, leadership, and teamwork in the context of conservation and outdoor education are not common. SFW supports organizations with well-established after-school programs that provide a hot meal, mentorship, and educational activities for children after school.
Kids to Kruger
Approximately 80% of children in the vicinity of Kruger National Park have not been into the park or seen iconic wildlife once in their lives. SFW aims to change that with sponsored bus rides for children into the park to allow them to reconnect with nature, their heritage, and learn to love wildlife.
RCCC Medical Training
The Ranger Casualty Care Course (RCCC) is a focused medical training program, created in collaboration with The Paradocx, specifically structured to train rangers on how to stop life-threatening bleeding. This is the number one cause of ranger deaths, so these skills are absolutely critical. Most rangers receive very little or no medical training, and this course may be the only exposure they get to field medicine.
Rhino Dehornings
Rhino dehorning is a poaching deterrence method used as a last resort in high-risk areas. The procedure is only temporary, as the horn will grow back in 18 months. Unfortunately, because of poaching, corruption, and a worldwide demand for illegal rhino horn products (primarily in Asia), we are at a point where this is a necessary measure. SFW sponsors and participates in rhino dehorning missions across South Africa.
Dog Program
Our puppy pilot program has been a huge success and our dogs continue to support both local conservation operations and regional wildlife reserves in South Africa. Donations to support this program will offset expenses related to the care and raising of the puppies, including food, veterinarian bills, handler training, kennel upkeep, etc.
Snare Removal Operations
Wire snare traps are a silent killer for thousands of animals each year in Africa. This poaching method is often used to feed the illegal bush meat trade and is especially brutal. SFW joins other local and regional volunteer groups to remove snares from the bush and save lives.
WE SUPPORT THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATIONISTS
OUR
IMPACT.
Use our interactive map to follow our completed conservation projects in Southern Africa. See quantifiable metrics of our impact in this region, and real people, projects, and organizations that we have supported. Many of the locations tagged in this map reference general areas versus specific locations due to the sensitivity of different activities. Thank you for understanding.