introduction

BY JONATHAN CHURCHER CEO

2022 was a landmark year for GRI with the opening of the Wildlife Discovery Centre (WDC) in Lusaka National Park This centre is the product of a shared vision for the future of conservation in Zambia; bringing the best of government, private enterprise and conservation organisations together. Thank you to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and International Fund for Animal Welfare for making it all possible

The WDC provides a new and improved home to orphaned elephants on their journey back to the wild and creates a centre for conservation education in Zambia The WDC allows us to invest in the future decision makers and conservation leaders of Zambia, giving them the knowledge and tools to create lasting change.

In 2022, we also opened a new Anti-Poaching Unit in the Lunga Luswishi Game Management Area (GMA), in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, as part of our long-term commitment to the communities that surround Kafue National Park This brings the number of front-line Rangers empowered by GRI to over 160, protecting 23 million hectares across Zambia.

Thanks to our supporters from Jackson Hole, USA, GRI was able to hire a Community Outreach Ranger for the Rufunsa GMA Helping show the communities how to live and work side by side with wildlife in a safe and sustainable way

I am most proud of the work we have done this year on Ranger welfare GRI was devastated by the death of one of our supported Rangers, who was killed by poachers whilst on patrol. While we can never repay his family for their loss and for his sacrifice, thanks to the support from the Thin Green Line and Game Rangers Association of Africa, we were able to provide for them and their futures His death is a constant reminder of the risks that Rangers take every day to protect Zambia’s wildlife and wild spaces.

Finally, I want to thank all our supporters, big and small, you all make a difference to the Rangers we support and communities we serve