2023Annual Report© Wild Wonderful World - December 2023WILD WONDERFUL WORLDCONSERVATION FUND
BY MICHELLE PENGILLYJust like that, 2023 is drawing to a close and what a year it hasbeen. It feels like yesterday that I was welcoming you to our2022 Annual Report and yet here we are, a year down theline. It is with great pride that I look back on our achievementsin 2023 and I am thrilled to share some of our highlights withyou in this report. 1© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual ReportIf our theme last year was growth, the theme for 2023 is definitely “consistency”. With thanks toyou, our wonderful donors, we have been able to offer not just consistent funding support acrossthe board to conservation operations, but extend support to new and exciting conservationinitiatives, too.Indeed it was our ‘Frontier Projects’ pillar that dominated our conservation spend this year, with73% of our budget going to fund projects that are protecting endangered species and wildernessareas, with a key focus on improving our knowledge of land use in order to more effectivelydeploy limited resources. The biggest of these projects was a GPS collaring project in IonaNational Park, Angola which saw 8 Oryx antelope, 8 Hartmann's Zebra and 16 Springbokantelope fitted with GPS tracking collars. We look forward to returning to Angola in 2024 withsome further exciting projects on the horizon. Rhino conservation has continued to be a pressing issue through 2023 with over $11,000 spentto protect Southern Africa’s rhino. Much of our efforts centered around horn-trimmings and anti-poaching in the Greater Kruger area. We continue to work toward technology based solutionsthat will provide a less invasive method of protection but until that time, removing the value fromthe head of a rhino is still the only effective method we have. Our Rapid Response Fund has been running non-stop this year, with 125% more emergencyoperations funded in 2023 than in 2022. Wire snares continue to plague the poor animals thatget caught, but of the 13 animals we de-snared this year, only 1 (hyena) didn’t make it. Looking ahead to the next 12 months, we have some exciting intra-Africa projects on the horizonand will continue working toward our goal of operating a helicopter for conservation in theLowveld region of South Africa. We hope you enjoy this report and thank you again for your wonderful support. Sincerely,Michelle PengillyFROM OUR CEO
2Your choices today can change our world tomorrow!No matter where you are in the world, you can #InvestInOurPlanet today &contribute to making a difference for the better. Wild Wonderful World exists for thisexact purpose, to empower anyone to #IgniteChange in the world of conservation.
3MISSION & GOALSWild Wonderful World Conservation NPC empowers key projects with funding and theresources they need to keep our wild spaces thriving. We enable experts on the ground todo what they do best, collaborating with like-minded organisations and working together toconserve wildlife for future generations. Our goal is to restore, protect and enhance wilderness areas and the species within them,taking direct action to help animals in need and funding longer term projects that arepioneering solutions to help conserve wildlife into the future.Wild Wonderful World Conservation NPC runs on a dedicated volunteer basis, and 100% ofdonations are allocated to conservation projects and teams on the ground. Our passionateteam of directors have a collective 30+ years of expertise as field guides, safari experts, anda wildlife helicopter pilot. All administrative expenses and overheads are covered by our sister safari company; WildWonderful World Safaris. The challenges facing wildlife are varied and complicated. We choose to adopt a multi-faceted approach based on three core pillars that address the short, medium and long termchallenges of wildlife conservation:Rapid Response Fund1.Frontier Projects2.Flying for Conservation3.© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report
Photo: Joel Alves4
2. FRONTIER PROJECTSProviding support to impactful conservation projects that protect wildlife andwilderness areas across Africa. Pre-planned and considered, we fund keyconservation teams in frontier locations as well as people pioneering tomorrow'ssolutions for today's conservation challenges. Wildlife research projects Endangered species conservation Enabling long-term anti-poaching effortsPhoto: Jonty Bozas© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report5
Providing aerial support and aviation-focused funding, improvingthe accessibility of helicopters and light aircraft for use in wildlifeoperations as key conservation tools.Assisting with helicopter costs associated with veterinary gameworkNVG flying for "eyes in the sky" anti-poaching supportAnti poaching patrols & deploymentsWildlife monitoring & counts3. FLYING FOR CONSERVATIONPhoto: Joel Alves 6
RAPID RESPONSE FUNDUSD 5,119FRONTIER PROJECTSUSD 34,231 FLYING FOR CONSERVATIONUSD 7,8192023 HIGHLIGHTSCONSERVATION SUCCESSIn 2023, we raised a total of $62,476 for conservation and spent $47,169 onconservation operations and projects.We are thrilled to have maintained the high levels of funding reached in 2022 ($62.5k raisedand $46.9k spent), proving consistency across the years and readying ourselves for a big 2024!From saving an elephant calf in Botswana, supporting human-wildlife conflict prevention throughdonating a Wild Dog collar in Zimbabwe, to supporting none other than African Parks with layingthe foundations for the new Iona National Park in Angola, we feel our impact in 2023 has beenfar reaching and effective. Closer to home, we saw a huge increase in the need for emergencywildlife funding in the Greater Kruger Region of South Africa, with 125% more spent onemergency veterinary operations in 2023 than 2022. Whilst 80% of our work is behind the scenes, meeting and discussing the best way forward withconservation partners, connecting donors with beneficiaries, and learning and communicatingabout the challenges our wildlife faces today, we want to show you some of our highlights of2023 that resulted from this work!A SNAPSHOT OVERVIEW7© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report1324r h i n o d e h o r n e dani m al s d e sna r ed32a n t e l o p e &z e b r a c o l l a r e d3elep h ant coll a red
23161w i l d d o g c o l l a rd o n a t e df l y i n g h o u r sf u n d e df r o n t i e r p r o j e c t ss u p p o r t e d . 3l i o n c o l l a r e d*As at 15 December 2023Page 7 of 17Photo: Ambersunny816%$47.2K11%total funded*73%
$9,017fundedThe APNR Southern Ground Hornbill Project was one of the very first organisations that wesupported through our Frontier Projects & we are proud to still support them today. The Southern Ground Hornbill is a keystone species that contributes to ecological successionprocesses. Because of their large spatial requirements, any successful conservation action hasripple effect on all other savanna and grassland species, including threatened species such asvultures, wild dog and cheetah.Due to habitat loss, Ground Hornbill nesting success rates have declined significantly. WildWonderful World contributes to the reversal of Southern Ground Hornbill population declineby sponsoring the APRN Ground Hornbill project, a research project aimed at improving ourknowledge of these prehistoric looking birds, as well as improving breeding rate through useof artificial nests and working with partners for the raising and re-introduction of redundantchicks. Breeding females lay two eggs, but the family group only raises 1 chick if healthy & strong.Since 2018, the Mabula Ground Hornbill Project has been taking the second, redundantchicks from the nests when they are 1‒2 days old, successfully raising these chicks andreleasing them back into the wild.We want to keep supporting Kyle & Carrie in their work and remain committed to funding athird of their operating budget. Included in this is funding for a minimum of five new nestsfor the 2024-2025 season as well as an additional USD 2,000 for tracking devices and data.This funding is very much needed to monitor group movements - of which there is currentlyvery little known.SOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILLSOUTHERN GROUND HORNBILL RESEARCH SUPPORTED9Click to read more about:Ground hornbill monitoringResearch project needsSecond chick rearing© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report
4chicks transported1yearly salary fundedDONATE a nest2nest boxes donated10
24WATCHthe videoREADthe articleHELPrhino$11.2K62%31%7%total funded2g a m e r e s e rv e s20%budget remaining for follow upr h i n o d e h o rn e dPhoto: Ambersunny© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report11IN NUMBERS
As a follow-up operation to the Sabie Game Reserve horn-trimming operation carried out inMay 2022, Wild Wonderful World funded the helicopter, fixed-wing and veterinary fees forthe dehorning of 21 white rhino on Sabie Game Reserve in October 2023.Pictures & video says more than words, so click here to watch the video of the operation. Awritten report was published in Kruger Magazine, edition 26, December 2023. In July 2023, we funded another follow-up dehorning in Balule Game Reserve on the westernboundary of the KNP. Three white rhino had their horn trimmed in a bid to protect the frompoaching. We choose to support operations like this out of pure necessity. We, and manyother organisations in their own right, are working tirelessly behind the scenes to developnew methods anti-poaching measures to protect rhino from being killed for their horn.Here are three reasons why we choose to fund rhino dehorning operations:Amongst various rhino protection measures, horn trimming has been found to be the onlystatistically significant factor in reduced poaching 1.Rhino horn trimming has the lowest cost/effectiveness ratio out of any other anti-poachingintervention, rendering it the most efficient use of financial resources to support anygiven conservation effort. 2.Trimming of rhinos’ horns is one of the few proactive ways to prevent poaching incidentsfrom happening in the first place3.Thanks to our donors for making this operation possible!$11,155 fundedCONTINUED SUPPORT TO KEEP KRUGER RHINO SAFERHINO & ANTI-POACHINGPhoto: Kayla Zoon12
In 2023, we collared three elephants with Elephants Alive, supporting impactful research of the largestelephant database in southern Africa. With over 2 million data points and 200 elephant collarings,Elephants Alive tracks elephant movements across national boundaries uncovering new migratorycorridors connecting protected areas in South Africa, Mozambique, Eswatini and Zimbabwe (see mapprovided). The data is used to safeguard these pathways and inform evidence-based mitigationstrategies to reduce human-elephant conflict in rural communities situated along the corridors.Currently, the world only safeguards 17% of terrestrial areas and 8% of marine areas, and many ofthese areas are not effectively managed or well-placed to achieve biodiversity outcomes. During the2022 UN biodiversity conference, COP15, countries reached a landmark agreement that aims toreverse the unprecedented destruction of nature. The agreement sets a '30 by 30' goal -- to effectivelyand equitably protect and conserve 30% of all lands, freshwater bodies, and oceans by 2030. As weare nearing this deadline, it has become clear that this goal won’t be reached by expanding ProtectedAreas, but that the corridors between those areas are the key to achieving the 30x30 goal.COLLARING ELEPHANTS TO SAFEGUARD CONNECTIVITYELEPHANT COLLARINGS$9,171 fundedPhoto: Chad CockingClick to read more about:Elephant collaring April 2023Elephant collaring June 202313© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report
COLLARan elephantPhoto: Chris Stamper14
SUPPORT15© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report$5,865 funded
READmoreIn September 2023, Wild Wonderful World funded the transport, veterinary and medicinecosts for the collaring of 8 Oryx antelope, 8 Hartmann's Zebra and 16 Springbok antelope inIona National Park, Angola. The project was completed in collaboration with Back to Africaand African Parks, the latter organisation in charge of establishing the management of thisnew reserve. Iona National Park is a newly-established reserve and forms part of the Namib-Naulduft &Skeleton Coast Protected Area spanning nearly 50,000 km2. This collaring project is one ofthe first of many in rehabilitating Angola's national reserves after the decade-long civil war.The focus of this operation was to collar zebra and antelope currently on the reserve. Thecollaring data will be used to analyse animals' use of the newly established reserve, in orderto identify areas in which to focus currently limited resources. Thanks to Iona National Park, African Parks, Back To Africa and Wildscapes VeterinaryServices for making this collaring operation a success! African Parks is a phenomenalorganisation and this is hopefully the start of a much greater conservation story. Gettinginvolved at this grassroots level is vital for our long-term relationship with park managementand the opportunity to be involved in translocation & other larger projects across Africa.COLLARING TO START NEW NATIONAL PARK IN ANGOLANATIONAL PARKSPhotos: Joel Alves 16
When people ask us which is the most exciting animal to see on safari, there is no doubt in ourmind: the African Wild Dog! Their communication, squeals, calls and sounds, playfulness, agilityand pack mentality leave us in awe every time we spend time with them in the wild.Sadly, Africa’s Wild Dog population is under severe strain. A mere 6,600 adults (in 650 packs)remain, living in 39 subpopulations that are all threatened by habitat fragmentation, humanpersecution, and outbreaks of disease. Shrinking natural habitats are clashing with Wild Dogs’large space requirements, meaning they often have to cross fences and human settlements insearch of new hunting grounds. Collisions with cars, conflicts with farmers or getting trapped inwire snares are the main threats to this endangered species.This year, we successfully raised the funds needed to re-collar a pack of Wild Dogs in GonarezhouNational Park on the border between Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The pack lost their alpha femalein September 2023, having been killed by a poacher’s snare. Our partner organisation in theregion has sent out guardians to mitigate any further human-wildlife conflict, as the pack has nowleft its den with their puppies in tow after the death of their alpha female. As the pack moved intothick & rocky terrain and temperatures have skyrocketed since October, the ground team hasdecided to postpone collaring the new alpha until temperatures become safe again for darting. Thetracking team has been able to monitor the pack in the meantime, and there has been no furtherconflict.Having GPS tracking collars on packs who live in close proximity with human communities is oneof the main tools used by conservation organisations to monitor the dogs' movement patterns andprevent potentially deadly conflict situations.PROTECTING AFRICA’S MOST ENDANGERED PREDATORWILD DOG CONSERVATIONCOLLARa wild dog17© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report$1,791 funded
COLLARING SAVES LIVES7wild dog collared11wild dog relocated13,245USD FUNDED SINCE 20204countries/regionsAs part of our mission to #ignitechange in Wild Dog conservation, we havedeveloped partnerships with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, AfricanWildlife Trust, African Wildlife Vets, Wildlife Act, and the African WildlifeConservation Fund - all of whom have active Wild Dog rescue, research,monitoring and relocation projects across Africa.We assist these organisations with the funding they need to collar the Alphadogs within packs, relocate packs to repopulate protected areas andexpand their distribution, monitor pack movements, prevent human-wildlifeconflict and rescue snared or injured dogs.Collaring is one of the most effective ways to protect Wild Dogs, as it allowsus to identify where they want to go and isolate strange or unsualmovements as potential signs of injuries. However, tracking collars areexpensive, costing around $2000 for one, not including any tracking feesor professional time to locate, collar and monitor the animal.Photo: Jonty Bozas
SUPPORT13 injuredanimals savedby WWW*50%8%25%8%*2023 only. 1 hyena euthanised due to severity of injuries.8%Species inhuman-wildlifeconflict*18%23%10%8%19%*Nov 2020 - July 2023 Greater Kruger Region. Data: Wildscapes Vets2%7%12%HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTWATCHthe rescuePhoto: Joel AlvesPhoto: Mark Viljoen© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report19
Our 2023 year started off terribly, with no less than 4 snared animals in need of emergencyresponse due to a poacher’s snares in January alone. Since then, we’ve seen some of theworst snare cases yet, including 2 very young elephant calves with far-advanced snarewounds (read more about the calf in South Africa & little Robbie in Botswana) and 7 hyena -of which sadly 1 female succumbed to a second snare. As we were writing this report, twomore cases of snared hyena have come in, and we fear they won’t be the last ones this year.The majority of these animals are spotted in privately owned reserves neighbouring theKruger National Park. Two of these areas are notorious for illegal activities such as poachingfor bush meat. This is a clear case of not only Protected Areas needing conservation help, butthe surrounding areas as well. Wild Wonderful World supports the EWT carnivore researchprogramme by funding predator collarings to get a better understanding of why animals maychoose to move outside of the protection of the neighbouring Kruger National Park, wherethey are breaching the fences and how we can stop snaring in these areas all-together.We thank the dedicated Wildscapes Veterinary team for heading out to save these animals, atall hours of the day and night, rain or shine. As well as our like-minded partners for alwaysbeing willing to group costs to save these innocent animals: Down2TheWire, African WildlifeVets and Blue Sky Society.A PERSISTENT PROBLEM IN NEED OF FUNDINGDESNARING & RAPID RESPONSE20$5,119 funded
The Pangolin is the world's most trafficked animal, yet this statistic goes unnoticed in mostconservation debates. Domestic and international trade poses the largest threat to the Africanpangolins - with over 300 000 pangolins being poached annually. All four pangolin species arewidely used in Traditional African Medicines, locally known as muthi - as well as in Asian countries.Pangolins are captured and killed with various parts of the animal – including blood, scales andmeat – being used for traditional purposes. As and when trafficked pangolins are confiscated byauthorities through sting operations, the animals are severely compromised and requireimmediate veterinary care, as well as prolonged intensive care and rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.This year we have donated $2,700 to Provet Animal Hospital, who are rescuing all confiscated pangolin in the Greater Kruger Area. Depending on the condition of the poached animal, this amount can cover the full rehabilitation of two pangolins. We are still fundraising to cover more of the expenses necessary for initial stabilisation and intensive veterinary care of rescued Pangolins, as well as the tracking devices used to safeguard the animals' safetyafter their release back into the wild by the Umoya Khulula Rehabilitation Centre.THE MOST TRAFFICKED WILD ANIMAL IN THE WORLDPANGOLIN CONSERVATIONSAVEa pangolin21© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report
$2,700 fundedWHAT IT TAKESPhoto: Matthew PooleUpon arrival at the veterinary practice, various procedures are conducted to assess the pangolin's generalcondition. The time kept in captivity by poachers will directly determine the animal's condition and level ofcare required. The animal is intensively monitored by the veterinarian and tube-fed under anaesthesia untilthey are able to walk and forage for ants & termites, accompanied by volunteers at night time for a minimumof 4 hours. Once the pangolin reaches a stable condition without needing constant veterinary care, it istransferred to a the registered and approved rehabilitation centre of Umoya Khulula to regain its full health.After this, the pangolin is released back into the wild using a soft-release method. This involves monitoring ofmovements & well-being in gradually-increasing intervals, by using the VHF & GPS tags.22
Deploying a helicopter or fixed wing airplane is one of the most impactful differences we can maketo a conservation operation. We funded close to 24 hours in 2023, ranging from;Anti-poaching patrol flightsRanger & tracking dog deploymentsK9 & ranger helicopter trainingWildlife darting for collarings for research & snare removalsRhino horn trimming operationsIn all of these operations, a helicopter has proven to be a vital tool for success and we continue toadvocate for its use, assisting with funding wherever required. Whilst often being the game changingaddition to an operation, flying hours are becoming more and more expensive with rising fuel costs.More than ever, we need funding dedicated to sponsoring flying hours.THE SINGLE MOST IMPACTFUL CAUSE YOU CAN SUPPORT23© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual ReportPhotos: Chris Stamper
SUPPORTFLYING FOR CONSERVATION$7.8K90%10%total funded24$7,819 funded
Africa’s people and wildlife are facing a wide range of challenges, includingbiodiversity decline, rising global temperatures and declining opportunities for ruraleconomies. In fact, it is not just Africa: half the world’s GDP is dependent on natureand the degradation of ecosystems is affecting about 40% of the world’s populationalready, threatening human health, livelihoods and food security. LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report25
26DOWNLOAD 2023-2024fundraising goalsPhoto: Chris Stamper
FUNDRAISING BUDGET 2024PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2024PROJECTORIGINAL2023/24 BUDGET*2023 FUNDS RAISED2024 STILL TO FUND+ EXTENSIONS/NEW PROJECTSRhino ConservationUSD 32,500USD 11,000USD 21,500Ground HornbillProjectUSD 11,500USD 9,000USD 2,500+ USD 13,800Pangolin ProjectUSD 7,600USD 2,700USD 4,900Angola Iona NPCollaring ProjectUSD 5,800USD 5,800+ USD 9,500Senegal Niokolo-Koba NPUSD 43,400USD 43,400Cameroon FaroLandscape+ USD 11,500Congo Odzala-Kokoua+ USD 20,000ElephantConservationUSD 13,800USD 9,000USD 4,800+ USD 4,600Rapid ResponseFundUSD 3,000USD 5,000+ USD 5,000Flying forConservationUSD 21,800USD 7,800USD 14,000+ USD 4,000TOTALUSD 139,400USD 50,300USD 91,100+ USD 68,400*Amounts are rounded up to account for exchange rate fluctuations.27© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report
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2023 FINANCIALSAN OVERVIEW OF FUNDING FOR 2023INCOME & EXPENDITURE PER PILLARINCOMEEXPENDITURERapid Response Fund$ 2,896.25Rapid Response Fund-$ 5,118.71Frontier Projects$ 22,331.02Frontier Projects-$ 34,230.65Flying for Conservation$ 505.37Flying for Conservation-$ 7,819.38General Donation$ 15,280.01TOTAL$ 41,012.66TOTAL-$ 47,168.74231316124r h i n o d e h o r n e dw i l d d o g c o l l a rd o n a t e dani m a ls d e snar e df l y i n g h o u r sf u n d e d32a n t e l o p e &z e b r a c o l l a r e df r o n t i e r p r o j e c t ss u p p o r t e d . 3l i o n c o l l a r e d3el e phan t co l lar e d*As at 15 December 202316%$47.2K11%total funded*73%© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report29
FINANCIALS - DETAILEDINCOMEEXPENDITURECarried over from 2022$ 15,649.27Rapid Response Funding-$ 5,118.71Shop for Wildlife$ 8,854.58Frontier Projects-$ 32,230.65Direct Donations$ 30,158.08Flying for Conservation-$ 7,819.38Safari Direct Donations*$ 2,000.00Safari Direct Donations-$ 2,000.00Safari Contribution toNPC**$ 12,278.91Total ConservationIncome$ 68,940.84Total ConservationExpenditure-$ 47,168.74LESS Admin costs paiddirect by WWW Safaris***($ 6,517.81)Bank interest on funds$ 53.34TOTAL$ 62,476.37TOTAL-$ 47,168.74Carried over to 2024$ 15,307.63*** Admin costs paid using a portion of WWWSafaris Contributions to ensure 100% of all otherdonations go direct to conservation. Admin costsinclude bank charges, registration & legal fees,accounting fees.** Every WWW Safari bookedcontributes 2% BOOKING VALUE tothe WWW NPC (Approx. 20% profit)* Direct safari donations are fundsdonated to conservation via WWWsafari conservation experiences30
Donations can be bank wired to:Acc. Name: Wild Wonderful World Conservation NPCAcc. No. 62924522198 (Cheque Account - ZAR)Branch Code: 250655 (Johannesburg, South Africa)SWIFT/ BIC: FIRNZAJJ (XXX)Bank Name: First National Bank (a Division of FirstRand Bank Ltd)Bank Address: 4 Merchant Place, Corner Fredman Drive andRivonia Road, Johannesburg, 2196, South AfricaSHOP FOR WILDLIFE ON OUR WEBSITEMake a general contribution to our Conservation NPC or donatethe value of a conservation product for the projects and causesyou really care about!DIRECT DONATIONS**100% of funds donated will spent on conservation activities. WildWonderful World NPC is a registered PBO and we can issue 18A taxdeductible certificates for South African nationals and companies.HOW TO SUPPORTCLICK HERE!31© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report
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33Photo: Emma Gatland© Wild Wonderful World | 2023 Annual Report
THE TEAMMICHELLE PENGILLY | FOUNDER - CEO+27 (0)73 525 6218info@wildwonderfulworld.com GRANT PENGILLY | FOUNDER - HELI PILOT+27 (0)82 927 3164grant@wildwonderfulworld.comJONTY BOZAS | FUNDRAISING & RESEARCH+27 72 260 9390jonty.b@wildwonderfulworld.comEVELYN POOLE | MARKETING & ACCOUNTS+27 (0)78 826 1770evelyn.p@wildwonderfulworld.comMORE ABOUT USANY QUESTIONS? CONTACT OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS34
+27 (0)73 525 6218info@wildwonderfulworld.com @wildwonderful_world @wildwonderfulworldwww.wildwonderfulworld.com Reg no: 2021/940586/08 PBOno: 930 074 047