Tusk Trust is a British

non-profit organisation A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

set up in 1990 to advance wildlife conservation across

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...

. The charity funds the protection of

African elephant African elephants are members of the genus ''Loxodonta'' comprising two living elephant species, the African bush elephant (''L. africana'') and the smaller African forest elephant (''L. cyclotis''). Both are social herbivores with grey skin. ...

, African rhinoceros and

African lion The lion (''Panthera leo'') is a large cat of the genus '' Panthera'', native to Sub-Saharan Africa and India. It has a muscular, broad-chested body; a short, rounded head; round ears; and a dark, hairy tuft at the tip of its tail. It is ...

, along with many other threatened species across Africa. Tusk’s mission is to amplify the impact of progressive conservation initiatives across Africa.

History

Tusk Trust was established in 1990 in response to the '

poaching Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set against the huntin ...

crisis' that was widespread in Africa during the 1980s. At that time, poaching was so rampant that it almost led to the extinction of elephant populations in many parts of Africa. The Tusk Trust was set up by Charles Mayhew , who is the Chief Executive. In 2020, Alexander Rhodes succeeded Stephen Watson as Chairman of the Tusk Board, which is supported by the Tusk Development Board. Since 2005,

Prince William William, Prince of Wales (William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is the heir apparent to the British throne. He is the elder son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales. William was born during the reign of his p ...

has been a Royal Patron of the organization. Tusk is a member of the Princes' Charities Forum, an initiative started by Prince William and

Prince Harry Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, (Henry Charles Albert David; born 15 September 1984) is a member of the British royal family. As the younger son of King Charles III and Diana, Princess of Wales, he is fifth in the line of succession to ...

in 2006 as a way of bringing together their charitable interests to develop synergies between the 20 or so organisations they support.

Projects

Environmental protection in Africa

Tusk has supported many project across Africa. One of them is the Big Life Foundation, which focuses on preserving the wildlife and habitats of the Amboseli- Tsavo- Kilimanjaro ecosystem in

East Africa East Africa, also known as Eastern Africa or the East of Africa, is a region at the eastern edge of the Africa, African continent, distinguished by its unique geographical, historical, and cultural landscape. Defined in varying scopes, the regi ...

. Tusk assisted Big Life in establishing a comprehensive patrol network. Tusk also supports

charity Charity may refer to: Common meanings * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...

organization Blue Ventures focused on nurturing locally led marine conservation and rebuilding tropical fisheries with coastal communities. Tusk Trust sponsored the Cheetah Conservation Fund, which has been collaborating with farmers in the Eastern Communal Conservancies of

Namibia Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. Its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south; in the no ...

to test a new Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) mitigation tool—the E-Shepherd Collar. This tool aims to deter would-be predators giving chase. Another supported organization is Conservation Through Public Health that promotes gorilla conservation among local communities by improving healthcare and economic opportunities. Tusk Trust also supports Grévy's Zebra Trust helping endangered

Grévy's zebra Grévy's zebra (''Equus grevyi)'', also known commonly as the imperial zebra, is the largest living species of wild equid and the most threatened of the three species of zebras, the other two being the plains zebra and the mountain zebra. Name ...

, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy working at conservation of wildlife and its habitat, Lilongwe Wildlife Centre aiming to protect

Malawi Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south, and southwest. Malawi spans over and ...

’s wildlife,

Okapi Conservation Project The Okapi Conservation Project (OCP) was founded in 1987 for the protection of the okapis (''Okapia johnstoni'') and their habitat. Okapis are found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are seen as the major flagship species of the Itur ...

Painted Dog Conservation Painted Dog Conservation was founded in 1992 by wildlife conservation biologist Greg Rasmussen for the protection of the painted dogs (''Lycaon pictus'') and their habitat. Painted Dog Conservation works to engage and incorporate local communitie ...

, Botswana Wild Dog Research Project, Tsavo Trust, Honeyguide Foundation.

Lewa Safari Marathon

Tusk is co-organiser of the annual Lewa Safari Marathon across the 42,000 km² of the Lewa Conservancy in

Kenya Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country located in East Africa. With an estimated population of more than 52.4 million as of mid-2024, Kenya is the 27th-most-populous country in the world and the 7th most populous in Africa. ...

, about 140 miles (230 km) north of

Nairobi Nairobi is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Kenya. The city lies in the south-central part of Kenya, at an elevation of . The name is derived from the Maasai language, Maasai phrase , which translates to 'place of cool waters', a ...

. The marathon annually draws around 1,400 runners from 30 countries, raising $500,000. Supporters include Eliud Kipchoge and Geoffrey Kamworor.

Tusk Rhino Trail

The Tusk Rhino Trail was a London-wide art installation held in

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

between August and September 2018. It celebrated the magnificence of the rhino, and highlighted the severe threat of poaching to their survival. Each rhino was specially designed, decorated and embellished by internationally renowned artists. The sculptures were on display from 20 August until World Rhino Day on 22 September. They will be auctioned by the leading London auction house,

Christie's Christie's is a British auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie (auctioneer), James Christie. Its main premises are on King Street, St James's in London, and it has additional salerooms in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, Milan, Geneva, Shan ...

, on 9 October 2018. The funds raised were to support conservation projects protecting rhino and other endangered African species. Each rhino was specially designed, decorated and embellished by internationally renowned artists including Glen Baxter, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Eileen Cooper, Adam Dant, Nancy Fouts, Nick Gentry,

Zhang Huan Zhang Huan (; born 1965) is a Chinese artist based in Shanghai and New York City. He began his career as a painter and then transitioned to performance art before making a comeback to painting. He is primarily known for his performance work, but ...

, Patrick Hughes, David Mach, Harland Miller,

Marc Quinn Marc Quinn (born 8 January 1964) is a British contemporary visual artist whose work includes sculpture, installation, and painting. Quinn explores "what it is to be human in the world today" through subjects including the body, genetics, ident ...

, Axel Scheffler,

Gavin Turk Gavin Turk (born 1967) is a British artist from Guildford in Surrey, and was considered to be one of the Young British Artists. Turk's oeuvre deals with issues of authenticity and identity, engaged with modernist and avant-garde debates surround ...

, Dave White,

Ronnie Wood Ronald David Wood (born 1 June 1947) is an English rock musician, best known as a member of the Rolling Stones since 1975, and a member of Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. Wood began his career in 1964, playing lead guitar with several Brit ...

, David Yarrow and Jonathan Yeo.

Tusk Trustees

The Chairman of the Tusk Board is Alexander Rhodes. He is also Head of Purpose at Mishcon de Reya, providing strategic Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) advice. He was the founding CEO of Stop Ivory and head of the Secretariat to the inter-governmental Elephant Protection Initiative. He joined Tusk’s Board in 2014, and was appointed Chairman in 2020. Other board members are Dr Susan Canney, Patrick Harverson, Beatrice Karanja, Nick Maughan, Jill May,

Deborah Meaden Deborah Sonia Meaden FRSA (born 11 February 1959) is a British businessperson and TV personality who ran a multimillion-pound family holiday business, before completing a management buyout. She is best known for her appearances as a 'Dragon' on ...

, and Mark Tyndall.

Tusk Conservation Awards

The Tusk Conservation Awards, in partnership with Ninety-One (formerly Investec Asset Management), is an annual event to celebrate African-based conservation leaders and wildlife rangers, and their significant impacts in the field. Tusk Trust has presented the annual Tusk Conservation Awards every year in London since 2013. Kate Silverton presented the Tusk Conservation Awards ceremony until 2022. There are three Tusk Awards presented annually: * Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa: This lifetime achievement award, sponsored by Ninety One, honors a distinguished individual for their outstanding dedication and exceptional continued contribution to conservation in Africa. Past winners: Hipólito Lima (2020), Dr. Carlos Lopes Pereira (2019), Pete Morkel (2018), Rian Labuschagne (2017), John Kahekwa (2016), Garth Owen-Smith (2015), Richard Bonham (2014), Clive Stockil (2013). * Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa: Sponsored by

Land Rover Land Rover is a brand of predominantly four-wheel drive, off-road capable vehicles, owned by British multinational car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), since 2008 a subsidiary of India's Tata Motors. JLR builds Land Rovers in Brazil ...

, this award recognizes an emerging conservation leader, in recognition of their outstanding success shown in their chosen field. Winners: Fanny Minesi (2023), Miguel Gonçalves (2022), Julie Razafimanahaka (2021), John Kamanga (2020), Tomas Diagne (2019), Vincent Opyene (2018), Brighton Kumchedwa (2017), Cathy Dreyer (2016), Dr Emmanuel de Merode (2015), Herizo Andrianandrasana (2014), Tom Lalampaa (2013). * Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award: Sponsored by The Nick Maughan Foundation, this award gives international recognition to the dedication and commitment of an individual who works in the field to protect Africa’s wildlife. Past winners: Amos Gwema (2020), Benson Kanyembo (2019), Julius Obwona (2018), Lucky Ndlovu & Solomon Chidunuka (2017), Manuel Sacaia (2016), Edward Ndiritu (2015). On 12 September 2013,

and his wife

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge Catherine, Princess of Wales (born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton; 9 January 1982), is a member of the British royal family. She is married to William, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne. Born in Reading, Berkshire, Readi ...

attended the 1st annual Tusk Conservation Awards. At the Tusk Conservation Awards 2016 Sir David Attenborough was also honoured for his services to conservation by Prince William. In 2022, Tusk celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Tusk Conservation awards, with Prince William in attendance and presenting the awards to the winners. In 2023, during the Tusk Conservation Award, Prince William called for climate action in his speech, urging for 'no let up' in efforts to halt the 'terrifying' loss of wildlife in Africa.