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The well documented importance and benefits of wildlife monitoring are endless, and forms a crucial component of wildlife reintroduction projects and of a reserves' management program. Wildlife ACT runs monitoring projects free of charge, acquiring funds using a network of research students and volunteers from across the globe.

However, there is a dire need to source additional funding for the expensive technical equipment and procedures (i.e. radio, satellite and GPS tracking collars; remote camera traps and sensing units) needed to monitor these endangered species.

Wildlife ACT therefore initiated the Wildlife ACT Fund, which objectives are to purchase and fit sophisticated wildlife monitoring equipment and to assist in the monitoring and capture of endangered species inside and outside of protected areas in Southern Africa

Buy a collar - Save a life:

To track endangered species we use various forms of tracking equipment on the animals, VHF collars mostly and some GPS and satellite collars. Some of the collars we use have anti-snare plates which we are developing and currently testing - so a collar can literally save an animals' life! Since we cannot use collars effectively for the rhinos, we place VHF transmitters inside their horns, which allow us to locate them on a daily basis.

Shoot endangered animals... and save them:

To date we have had great results using remote camera traps to 'shoot' endangered animals and we propose to extend our efforts into more reserves. The resulting photographs provide us with fantastic information, allowing conservation managers to assess the status of their endangered species and monitor all management interventions.

As an example here is the first-ever record of the cubs from a very shy female cheetah (she had not been seen for 6 months!) on Mkhuze Game Reserve. We had no idea she had cubs or whether she was still alive until we managed to capture this photo of her at a waterhole at 2am!

Below is another example of how remote camera trapping can benefit endangered species conservation. By capturing images of the black rhino (on an undisclosed reserve), it was possible to establish how many rhino's there are on the reserve and create accurate identity kits of the individuals. Without this information it is impossible to create effective conservation management programs fro the continued survival of these species.

ACT now - make a difference

The Wildlife ACT Fund needs your help raising funds to purchase equipment needed to effectively monitor endangered species across Southern Africa.

Every little bit helps!

• One VHF collar can literally save an animals' life, and it costs only $500. At the moment we have 15 Wild Dog, 5 Cheetah and 3 Elephant which need collaring.
• Remote camera traps allow conservation managers to estimate the status of their endangered species and costs $600. We are starting a Cheetah survey on a 180 000 ha park and will need 40 camera traps to complete the survey. These cameras have a life span of over 5 years and we will be able to use them for a number of other surveys over the years.
• We have a desperate need for vehicles, and currently have three projects lined up all needing a 4x4 to kick start the projects.

Please contact us to find out how you can make a donation towards the Wildlife ACT Fund's efforts to save Africa's endangered species.

Click here to find out more on the importance and benefits of monitoring.