Protecting Elephants and Rhinos in Malawi

Thanks to steadfast supporters like you, Earthwatch made significant progress in 2021 towards recovering from the devastating impacts of the pandemic. Last spring and summer, we were able to resume five U.S.-based research expeditions, and in the fall, we began welcoming back volunteers onto several expeditions overseas.

All returning expeditions feature modifications and new protocols to comply with the latest COVID safety guidance and standards established by trusted health and travel authorities such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. State Department, and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as our independent security advisor, On Call International. Additionally, proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is now required for all Earthwatch volunteers and participants.

Nations in which we are conducting our conservation efforts continue to impose varying travel, quarantine and vaccination requirements that can be confusing, change suddenly with little notice, and are at times difficult to obey. Earthwatch’s enhanced safety requirements will give our volunteers the best opportunity to safely and easily enter and exit countries where our research is located, and as a result, have expanded the number of suspended programs that we can bring back. Despite ongoing policy and now many economic challenges, roughly 2/3rds of Earthwatch expeditions are actively recruiting volunteers for 2022 teams, and we are working diligently to have the remainder re-opened by the end of the year.

Regarding Protecting Elephants and Rhinos in Malawi, while the world was on hold last year, Dr. Leslie elected to conclude her broad multi-species research on ecosystem dynamics in Malawi, in favor of narrowing her focus onto one of the world's most endangered species – the African wild dog. We were very excited to introduce this new study this year; however, due to ongoing challenges caused by the lingering pandemic, Earthwatch has made the difficult decision to postpone it for one more year.

That said, recent contributions to Dr. Leslie’s research will still be used to support threatened wildlife conservation this year as part of Earthwatch's three (and possibly more) returning programs in Africa: 

- Walking with African Wildlife in South Africa
- Conserving Threatened Rhinos in South Africa
- Protecting South African Penguins

Altogether, almost 70 volunteers will head to Africa this year to support these efforts, and we can’t wait to send you research updates at the end of the season!

We know that there are many worthy charities that you can support, and we are honored that you chose to invest in Earthwatch scientists and volunteers as they collect data and search for solutions to our most pressing environmental problems. Your support over the last two years has made all the difference for Earthwatch and more than 30 important conservation efforts around the world. We look forward to updating you on the impact of your gifts later this year, and with any luck, finally putting the pandemic behind us!

Stay well! We are almost there!

Gratefully,

Your Friends at Earthwatch

Links:

• African wildlife conservation expeditions returning in 2022