The 2022 Wildlife Ranger Challenge, which is organised by Tusk, took place on September 17.

The challenge consists of a half marathon that happens around the world with the goal of raising money to support the rangers on the front line of Africa’s protected areas. The event also aims to raise awareness of the increasingly diverse role of wildlife rangers.

The rangers prepared for the race with a series of physical and mental challenges over a three-week period. These included push-up and sit-up challenges, with the winning team the one that completed the most in two minutes. The Ranger Quiz tested the rangers’ knowledge.

The Frankfurt Zoological Society team won this year’s final challenge, completing the half marathon in two hours, eight minutes and 56 seconds. In second place was the African People & Wildlife team in a time of two hours, 15 minutes, and 59 seconds, followed by the Frankfurt Zoological Society women’s team in a time of two hours, 17 minutes, and 24 seconds.

Countries where the races took place included Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Funds are raised through donations, and in previous challenges a total of more than £10 million (R195m) has been raised, according to Tusk. The final fund-raising results for this year’s race have not yet come in, with donations only closing on Friday (September 30), however the Scheinberg Relief Fund has reportedly pledged to match the total donations up to $1 million (R17,9m).

Watch a short video about the challenge below: