Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife (VETPAW) reports successful results from international initiative in Tanzania. More than 25 poachers were apprehended due in part to VETPAW’s support advising and assisting African park rangers.

“I’m really happy to report our first mission in Tanzania in collaboration with Tanzania’s Ministry for Natural Resources and Tourism, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority was an undeniable success,” said Ryan Tate, U.S. Marine and Co-Founder of VETPAW. “Our team, myself and five other members, worked alongside Tanzanian park rangers. Through this joint international effort, more than 25 poachers were apprehended.”

VETPAW’s mission is to utilize the skills of post 9-11 U.S. Military Veterans to train, support and assist African park rangers in their ongoing fight to protect critically endangered and threatened wildlife.

“According to Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Sub-Saharan Africa lacks adequate manpower with approximately one ranger per 168 kilometers of wildlife reserve. International standards suggest one ranger per 24 kilometers for effective patrolling and policing,” said Tate. “VETPAW sees the increasing need to help and we were inspired by the passion and determination of the park rangers.”

VETPAW is expanding their mission locations on the continent of Africa and preparing for their next initiative in East Africa. For more information about VETPAW, visit https://vetpaw.org.