Current Projects
The Wild Source Foundation is dedicated to creating lasting wildlife conservation through the empowerment of local communities. We focus on three areas of need: wildlife research and conservation, creation of economic empowerment, and education and job training opportunities. Read our 2024 Annual Report
Wildlife Research and Conservation
Big Cat Research
Yusuf Magoye continues to lead big cat research based out of Njozi Camp and in 2024, we added two trainee biologists, Raymos and Benson. The team continues to collect observational data on big cat species in the Ndutu/Southern Serengeti
and Northern Serengeti regions. Continued mentorship -- from three extremely accomplished and retired American wildlife biologists -- is focused on growing the researchers’ reporting capabilities, developing research questions to be investigated, and eventually lead to published research papers.
Temminck's Pangolin Research
The Foundation has been sponsoring Daniel Rossouw, a South African Masters Degree candidate to track and follow pangolins in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. Daniel set out to quantify the ecological role that pangolins play in the ecosystem at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, hoping to show the vital role they play in the revitalization of soil through their foraging.
Despite their elusiveness, pangolins have become vulnerable due to hunting, trafficking, human agriculture, transportation corridors, and severe weather due to climate change.
Continued research will allow for conservation of these vulnerable animals by highlighting the important role they play in biodiversity and their ecosystems.
Ocelot Research
We continue to support the brazilian based Projecto Jaguatiricas (Ocelot Project).
We sponsor ocelot collaring sessions, including the live trapping and
veterinarian efforts. Both The Wild Source Pantanal group trips were able to be present for the research collaring and the release of two ocelots. Projecto Jaguatiricas is studying how ocelots are using the land -- natural areas and human altered landscapes within Brazil’s Pantanal region.
Jaguar ID Project
We purchased 23 new state-of-the-art trail cameras for the Jaguar Identification Project in Brazil. Jaguars are vital to the health and balance of ecosystems, playing key roles in population control and seed dispersal. Partnering with the Jaguar Identification Project helps to support efforts in monitoring and protecting these incredible creatures.
Economic Empowerment
Flavian's Clothing Shop
The Wild Source Foundation invested in mid-January in Flavian’s clothing shop business. This initial investment will allow her to pay her first 6 months of rent in a new space, ensuring her relaunched shop gets off to a good start. This will also allow her to pay school fees for her children and ensure they can continue their education.
Gudigwa Shop
In 2021, TWSF funded the start up of the Gudigwa Shop in the rural village of Gudigwa, Botswana. This woman-owned enterprise is the only shop in the area providing basic staples to the village. The shop has since expanded to support supplying both food and supplies to the primary school and is being used as a station for government rations delivered to the elderly.
Education and Job Training
Ping's Bush School
In Kenya, legendary Maasai guide Ping, launched a Bush School Program that focuses on providing outdoor environmental education opportunities for Kenyan youth. What started as a small business venture has now grown into a mobile program presenting to over 3,000 students, ages 11-14 at more than 50 schools.
Our funding provided the purchase of a vehicle, established a full-time office, staff member and helped create a curriculum for outdoor learning at Mt. Suswa Conservancy Site.
The project has become our biggest one to date. As it continues to grow, a need to offer multi-day programs has become apparent, as well as developing an education center with overnight accommodations. With 17 acres at the Mt. Suswa site already secured, Ping’s Bush School is only getting started.
Cobras Community Wildlife Protection
Unit
We funded a plan to recruit, train, and hire 4 women for the Cobras Community Wildlife Protection Unit. Cobras are highly trained scouts from local villages who support and protect the area's wildlife as well as alleviate human-wildlife tensions. Adding women to this vital organization will:
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Increase employment
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Advance community awareness and environmental education
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Improve community rhino protection
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Enhance anti-poaching measures
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Inspire younger women
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Increase community liaison and representation
