Since launching on World Ranger Day, teams of wildlife rangers from across Africa have been facing tests of strength and skill to prepare for the gruelling 21km half marathon that will decide the winner of this year’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge on 18th September.
The challenge was born in 2020 to raise money for rangers and their communities that have been severely impacted by Covid-19. While many Western nations are progressing with vaccination programmes at pace, the same cannot be said for many countries in Africa, where communities still find themselves in the grip of the pandemic, with livelihoods under as much threat now as in 2020.
Our ranger teams have thrown themselves into our mini-challenges, demonstrating the incredible physical fitness and depth of experience required to be a great wildlife ranger. Over the last three weeks, teams have competed to see who can do the most push-ups and sit-ups in 2 minutes, as well as taking part in our Ranger Quiz to test their wildlife knowledge. All teams delivered incredible results, but our winners in each mini-challenge were:
Most push-ups in 2 minutes
Benguerra Dugongs from Oceans Without Borders (333 push-ups)
Highest Ranger Quiz score
Ekuthuleni Conservancy from Transfrontier Africa
Most sit-ups in 2 minutes
Tarangire Team B from African People & Wildlife (291 sit-ups)
With 18th September approaching fast, thoughts and training now turn to getting race day ready. This goes not only for our rangers, but our participants around the world running in solidarity and raising money for the cause.
There’s still time to register to take part and run for rangers. If you’re not one for running, you can also show your support by donating to your favourite team.
Follow the rangers’ journeys on social media at #WildlifeRangerChallenge #ForWildlifeRangers