Start Time: 19th September 2008

Tusk Trust

Tusk Trust is a dynamic UK based African Wildlife Trust, with over 17 years experience of conserving wildlife, promoting education and supporting community development programmes across Africa.

Supported by UK celebrities such as Rory Bremner, Ronnie Wood, Griff Rhys Jones, Joanna Lumley, Zoe Ball, Ben Fogle and Alistair McGowan, the charity's work to deliver direct sustainable conservation has been widely covered on television and in the media. In December 2005, HRH Prince William chose Tusk as one of just two charities to which he is granting his Royal Patronage.

Tusk's current portfolio of 30 field projects spread across 17 countries is designed not only to protect wildlife, particularly endangered species, but also to encourage poverty alleviation and sustainable development amongst many poor rural communities who co-exist with wildlife. The charity however contributes substantial funds towards the protection of many threatened species such as Elephant, Rhino, Cheetah, Chimpanzee, Mountain Gorilla, African Wild Dog, and even marine species such as the Turtle and Dugongs.

As the ever expanding human population and its demand for more land brings it into increasing and often disastrous conflict with wildlife, Tusk, with its project field partners such as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, has been at the forefront of establishing and promoting community driven wildlife programmes. Tusk's holistic approach to conservation recognises that the long term future for wildlife and Africa's other natural resources is dependant on sustainable human development. Therefore a number of the charity's initiatives incorporate valuable work to improve environmental education, security, healthcare, and responsible tourism. One such programme, the Northern Rangelands Trust, supported by Tusk has seen 1 million acres of community land recently come under a common conservation policy with initiatives that are directly benefiting 62,000 people and a significant wildlife population in northern Kenya.

Tusk strives to provide practical, logistical and financial support to a diverse range of projects. In the past this has included the purchase of vehicles, aircraft, radio equipment, as well as the construction of schools, water projects, roads, buildings, bridges and airstrips, as well as covering the direct costs of rangers. The charity enjoys a reputation for operating on low overheads with an average of 85% of the net funds raised reaching the field.