Above: Last year we rescued this baby warthog and its sibling.
Read more about their journey below.
Our donors, partners, and friends were the highlight of our year, as always. We couldn’t do this without them and in 2023 they came through for us again. Despite a decreasing trend in the charitable contribution space in general last year, we experienced a modest increase in donations and donors from 2022. We surpassed our 2023 Year-End Challenge goal, raising $15,308, thanks to a generous challenge grant from a Florida donor.
In 2024, we’ll be relying on the unwavering support of our donors and friends to ensure our success in the face of projected philanthropic challenges in the space, which are expected to continue.
We’re thrilled about what 2024 has in store regarding conservation programming and the inspiring possibilities a new year brings. We’re in the process of recruiting a vet student to our team and are excited to announce that we’ve successfully secured a new DNA sequencer to enhance our research on rhinos and lion genetics to assist in husbandry and forensics to fight the illegal wildlife trade.
For Wild Africa,
Jessica Dawson
Executive Director
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Warthog double trouble: It’s that time of year again; the rains are here bringing with them some heavy storms that often flush out burrowing creatures from their homes. These two storm-drain babies (below) were separated from their mother during one such storm. They were on a specialised milk formula when they came in, and they have since transitioned to a solid food diet.
It’s been very challenging avoiding getting close and cuddly with these little cuties, but we’ve been careful to minimise their interaction with people so that they have the very best chance of not imprinting and living a wild life uncomplicated of human contact.
From flightless to fit and flourishing: Last year, some rafting guides rescued this struggling White-backed vulture from the bottom of the gorge below Victoria Falls (pictured below). She was unable to fly at the time and very malnourished. Over time, we managed to build up her strength and also engaged with raptor experts to assess her long-term survivability in the wild, given that she is blind in one eye. The news was good! The below video shares the moment where we celebrated the end of 2023 with her heartwarming release.
Release day! This white-backed vulture was saved thanks to some great teamwork and we hope she will continue to contribute to the survivability of the species.
Wildlife Rescue & Snare Removals
Last year we helped impalas and elephants, lions and buffaloes, duikers, hyenas, and numerous other species in between. From navigating hair-raising distances through thick mopane scrub to traversing scorching plains and dodging elephant herds, our team went to great lengths to rescue a total of 43 animals. The unwavering motivation comes from the remarkable animals we encounter—and from supporters like you. Your ongoing support is vital, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for keeping us in action!
Above + Below: Our team safely darted and treated this beautiful gentle bull elephant. But this incident was particularly challenging: he was found at dusk, so the situation required he be darted as the light was fading. To top it all, there were around 60 elephants milling around the area in thick bush – a hair-raising affair!
Exciting new projects for 2024
We are thrilled to launch two new projects this year and look forward to working with our wildlife authority partners to enhance the security of Zambezi National Park, utilising a range of technologies, as well as capacity-building for the teams on the ground. The second project will focus on building a wildlife crime database with the local wildlife authority. By working together, we expect to make significant strides in disrupting wildlife crime.
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Zambezi Cycle Challenge July 12-14, 2024
Are you ready? Are you set? Are you getting fighting fit? Just look at that beautiful view! It’s not too late to make good on those New Year’s resolutions by signing up for this epic scenic off-road cycling event and make a holiday out of a visit to Victoria Falls. And do we have to remind you that it raises funds for VFWT… hooray! For more information, please visit www.zambezicyclechallenge.com.
Zambezi River photo credit: Mana Meadows
Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust | PO Box 23183, San Diego, CA 92193 www.vicfallswildlifetrust.org
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