Veterans for Wildlife was founded in 2016 and is composed of separate legal entities registered in the United Kingdom and South Africa. Each charity within the group is nested within the same five-year strategic plan, so as to ensure alignment and maximum impact in relation to resources deployed. This strategic plan is centred on empowering veterans from around the globe and preventing wildlife crime, predominantly within the South African context.

1. STRATEGIC PLAN
2018 - 2023
VETERANS FOR WILDLIFE
PROTECT | EDUCATE | EMPOWER

2. VETERANS FOR WILDLIFE
The Veterans for Wildlife group of charities has two charitable aims:
the empowerment of veterans and the prevention of wildlife crime.
This five-year strategy document will layout the manner in which
the group of charities plans on achieving these aims out to 2023.
Veterans for Wildlife was founded in 2016 and is composed of
separate legal entities registered in the United Kingdom and South
Africa. Each charity within the group is nested within the same five-
year strategic plan, so as to ensure alignment and maximum
impact in relation to resources deployed. This strategic plan is
centred on empowering veterans from around the globe and
preventing wildlife crime, predominantly within the South African
context.
WILDLIFE CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa as a country relies heavily on its biological diversity, in
terms of both its inherent economic value and as a vehicle for social
upliftment. South Africa is the third most biologically diverse coun-
try in the world, highlighting its importance within the global eco-
system. However, the preservation of South Africa's fauna and flora
is a challenging task. With poaching, habitat loss and the over
exploitation of land having a devestating impact.
Over and above the ecotourism industry dependent on this
biodiversity (and which contributes so much to South Africa's
economy), there are a number of other factors to consider. These
include: food security, human health, the provision of clean air and
water, as well as supporting countless communities across the
country. It is, therefore, of paramount importance that South
Africa’s natural heritage is preserved. Not only to ensure that the
ecosystems within South Africa are safeguarded, but also that of
the global environment is as well.
VETERANS IN CRISIS
Veterans for Wildlife aims to aid in the
preservation of South Africa’s biodiversity and
environment by employing the skills and
experience of veterans from around the
world. Thereby empowering these individuals
in the process.
According to YouGov research commissioned
by SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity has
found that more than two in five (41 per cent)
of British Armed Forces veterans surveyed
have felt lonely or isolated at some point since
leaving the military.
More than three in ten of the veterans polled
(31 per cent) admitted they have just one or
no close friends and would be unlikely to
discuss any feelings of loneliness with a family
member or close friend (53 per cent),
suggesting a limited support network for
these veterans.
The most common reasons the veterans gave
for feeling lonely and isolated included: losing
touch with friends in the Armed Forces (41
per cent), physical or mental health issues (33
per cent), and struggling to relate to anyone
in civilian life (23 per cent).
PROTECT | EDUCATE | EMPOWER

3. AFRICAN RHINO
South Africa is home to approximately
93% of the world’s white rhino and 40%
of its black rhino.
PROTECT | EDUCATE | EMPOWER

4. OUR CHARITABLE AIMS
Guided by the Veterans for Wildlife theory
of change the group’s two main objectives
are to reduce the total number of
elephants and rhino poached in South
Africa, and to increase the total number of
military veterans suitably skilled and
qualified to pursue civilian employment
having left the Armed Forces.
VETERANS FOR WILDLIFE
5 YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
2018 - 2023
During this five-year period the strategic plan
seeks to maximize the impact the group
achieves at ground level in order to fulfil its
two main charitable aims:
- reducing the total number of elephant and
rhino lost to poaching in South Africa and;
- increase the total number of military veterans
suitably skilled and qualified to pursue civilian
employment having left the Armed Forces.
This strategy is guided by the Veterans for
Wildlife theory of change and is further
broken down into four intermediate steps or
goals.
REDUCING POACHING OF ELEPHANT AND RHINO
STRATEGY ONE
TRAIN, SUPPORT, MENTOR
Veterans for Wildlife will work in partnership with ground-level
conservation organisations, which typically suffer from a lack of resources,
to train, support and mentor their management and anti-poaching teams.
This will be achieved by employing veteran volunteers from around the
world. The aim being to upskill, better prepare, and increase the morale
and confidence of the anti-poaching teams.
STRATEGY TWO
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Using the diverse and speciliased skills and experience of the group’s
veteran volunteers Veterans for Wildlife will assist and support ground-
level conservation organisations by providing technical support and
assistance to their various anti-poaching programmes.
Without the technical know-how of a specialist these complex systems
designed to dectect, deter and detain poachers are often rendered
ineffective.PROTECT | EDUCATE | EMPOWER

5. 2030 VISION
The Veterans for Wildlife vision is to make a
worthwhile contribution in the reduction of
the total number of elephant and rhino
poached in South Africa.
To partner with local wildlife crime prevention
programmes, identify shortfalls in their imple-
mentation, and work to rectify these issues.
To work with veterans to prevent wildlife
crime, and by so doing, empower those
veterans with the aim of aiding in their
transition from the Armed Forces into the
civilian sector.
PROTECT | EDUCATE | EMPOWER
VETERAN EMPOWERMENT
STRATEGY THREE
VETERAN EMPOWERMENT
Veterans for Wildlife projects allow individuals to operate in familiar
circumstances, tapping into a set of well-honed skills, amongst
like-minded people, in support of an undoubtedly worthy cause.
Thus, boosting their confidence, providing them with invaluable work and
life experience, as well as the opportunity to develop and grow
their own support network, all whilst feeling deservedly proud of what they
have achieved and been involved in.
STRATEGY FOUR
VETERAN REHABILITATION
Through the unique Veterans for Wildlife Footprint of Hope project,
Veterans for Wildlife aim to assist those suffering with mental health issues
as a result of serving.
Through the use of various therapies such as animal-assisted therapy,
veterans are taught targeted approaches to dealing with negative
emotions and their consequences for the individual.

6. VETERANS FOR WILDLIFE PARTNERSHIPS
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to know more
about how you can help Veterans for
Wildlife empower veterans and pre-
vent wildlife crime, please contact
us:
Phone: 0044 20 3778 0345
Email: info@veterans4wildlife.org
Website: www.veterans4wildlife.org
veterans4wildlife
@Veterans4Wild
REGISTERED OFFICES
United Kingdom
Veterans for Wildlife
95 Horseferry Road
Westminster
London
SW1P 2DX
South Africa
Veterans for Wildlife
153 Lipizzaner Road
Beaulieu
Midrand