Friedkin Conservation Fund - Anti-poaching - Tanzania

The Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) proactively assists the Tanzanian Wildlife Division by providing highly motivated, well trained anti-poaching teams to help combat activities such as commercial ivory and bush meat poaching, illegal logging and charcoal burning.

Training and Personnel

We have trained, equipped and deployed 85 full-time field rangers who work under the guidance of 5 concession managers and 2 mobile anti-poaching coordinators in the field who report back to our office in Arusha. These field staff and managers are configured into 12 Rapid Action Teams, 1 Village Game Scout Team and 2 Specialist Mobile Anti-Poaching Units.

Equipment

Each of our anti-poaching teams uses a fully-equipped Land Cruiser, and operates with camping gear, all-weather uniforms, GPS and radio support.

FCF has been fortunate with equipment sponsorship and funding from generous parties, and continues to appreciate assistance to maintain this costly operation. For areas where poaching on water is prevalent we use canoes and motorized boats. Our microlight program was launched in 2006, and has been incredibly productive in identifying high-impact areas that are then patrolled by the teams on the ground. Also at our disposal is the Maule, our small yellow airplane that is used primarily for reconnaissance work.

Results and Recognition

During 2005 and 2006 our teams were responsible for the arrests of some 3,884 poachers. Their seizures included 209 illegal firearms, 15 elephant tusks and nearly 16,000 planks of illegally logged hardwood. 2007 ended on a very high note. The anti-poaching teams finished the year with a total of 2,131 arrests and 91 confiscated firearms.

FCF was recognized as the APHA’s ‘Ox of the Okavango’ for 2007 – an award presented to the conservation organization of the year as decided upon by the members and board of the APHA.

Our training and our work in the field has been filmed and broadcast by ESPN and the Animal Planet Channel.

From Planyoursafari.com

Britt Hosmer says:

January 13, 2010 at 8:06 pm

There are some folks doing amazing things in conservation. The Friedkin Conservation Fund, a 501(c)3 registered in Houston, TX and in Arusha, Tanzania – truly does give 100% of donated gifts to the field. All operating costs, salaries, and overhead is privately funded. For a small NGO they are doing some big things for community development, wildlife, clean water, anti-poaching, education, and scientific research. For more information go to http://www.friedkinfund.org or contact the US Rep atBritt@rockenvironmental.com.

• Johan Knols says:

  January 14, 2010 at 9:25 am

  Hi Britt,

  Nice that the Friendkin fund comes up as I worked between ‘94 and ‘96 for the Friedkins with Ker & Downey in Tanzania. I remember that the emphasis was on the villages surrounding Tarangire National Park. We built an airstrip on communual land and money from planes landing and taking off was put back into the community. We also bought our vegetables from the villagers and the company put in a school and a well-point.

  
  
  • Britt Hosmer, LEED AP says:

    January 14, 2010 at 5:25 pm

    Hello Johan,

    The Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) is a registered (US and Tanzanian) non-profit, non-governmental organization incorporated in 1994 (Certificate of Registration SO.NO.9807). Our role is to assist the Tanzanian Government with the conservation and preservation of more than 9 million acres of Tanzania’s protected areas. We achieve this through our internationally recognized anti-poaching initiative, our innovative community development program and our field research projects. Based out of Arusha, northern Tanzania, we operate in five Game Reserves, two Open Areas, three Forest Reserves and one Game Controlled Area.

    http://www.friedkinfund.org

    Yes, they are – and have been – doing good things. As you know, FCF was started by the Friedkin’s to improve local community relations and privately combat anti-poaching on their 9 million plus acres worth of concessions in northern Tanzania. It’s amazing to see how these humble beginnings, from a humble family, have truly grown to become an impressive NGO.

    We’ve developed some more interesting community and conservation projects:
    Organic/Fair Trade Bee Keeping – honey and wax production
    Village Community Bank (VICOBA) – microfinance and savings
    Reforestation – over 30,000 trees replanted last year
    Environmental Education – mobil film screening
    Anti-poaching – over 2,000 arrested last year alone
    Scholarships – primary, secondary, and advanced degree grants
    Scientific Research and GIS mapping
    Lion Aging and Population Research
    Building Teachers Houses and Schools
    Building of Medical Clinics – with UV water filtration, mircoscopes, and solar panels
    Borehole Drilling

    I feel very proud to be a part of it!

    Cheers, Britt Hosmer