African Steppingstones Foundation is on a mission. Their mission is to conserve wildlife resources and educate the public with on-the-ground conservation practices around the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve at Lake Albert, Uganda. At Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF), we support their mission and critical conservation efforts like anti-poaching patrols.
Lake Albert is the second-largest lake in Uganda after Lake Victoria and Africa’s 7th largest lake, spanning 5,300 square kilometers. This area is known for its diversity of wildlife including Uganda kob antelopes, Nile crocodiles, hippos, turtles, numerous birds, and over 50 fish species. Recognizing these values, the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve was created in 2002 to conserve the wildlife resources of Lake Albert. Forming an anti-poaching unit by African Steppingstones was paramount to protect these species from illegal harvest were to be conserved.
The African Steppingstones has formed 2 anti-poaching units that constantly patrol in vehicles that were provided through a negotiated long-term agreement with Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings Limited to help local nongovernment organizations (NGOs) in developing countries like Uganda to conserve their wildlife. The two patrol units apprehend poachers, collect wire snares and illegal fishing nets, and much more.
It was easy to form this partnership as African Steppingstones Foundation and SCIF have the same interest in conserving wildlife. SCIF, an international organization, has conservation programs all over the world. Because of this, we set up negotiations with Toyota representatives to get the best price to pass this on to local anti-poaching NGOs in developing countries.
Aston Sparks, leader of the 2 anti-poaching units, said, “Having 2 Toyota patrol vehicles in the field has helped us tremendously make an impact on poaching.” This allows for 2 teams of scouts and rangers, each patrol unit comprised of 5 members. Since the formation and utilization of the teams, Sparks estimates they have seen a 70% decline in poaching activity. This is primarily due to the team constantly patrolling in the field, creating a greater deterrence and apprehension of poachers.
Sparks noted that 3 years ago, when they started using vehicles with 2 teams, they were collecting upwards of 400 snares a month and it was common to find a kob caught up in a wire snare. Now, it is less frequent to find a snared kob and they are only removing about 100 wire snares per month, resulting in a 75 percent reduction in poaching. Sparks also noted that it was great to be able to have such reliable field vehicles as they are constantly in remote areas as poachers often have snare lines that are strung out over 50 kilometers.
Here at SCIF, we are proud to partner with Sparks’ organization, providing a reduced cost reliable vehicle for their conservation work in Uganda. This is a mission multiplier effect for both foundations, allowing us to partner for the benefit of wildlife. We applaud African Steppingstones Foundation’s antipoaching work.
If you are interested to see if you qualify for a reduced cost Toyota for conservation work, please contact Dan Brooks, SCIF Conservation Program Manager at [email protected]. By partnering together, we can take action in preventing poaching and help developing countries to conserve wildlife around the world.
