Wildlife Warriors USA Inc.

Waterways across northern Australia are home to one of the most mysterious and misunderstood predators in the world, the saltwater or estuarine crocodile. In 1996, Steve Irwin began formal crocodilian research using his own capture and study techniques to unlock the secrets of this ancient reptile.

Working in partnership: the University of Queensland, Australia Zoo and Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors continue to make monumental strides in the field using Steve’s
techniques. An annual research trip focuses on capturing and tagging estuarine crocodiles in the Wenlock River which runs through the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. Since 2008, the team have fitted more than 160 crocodiles with acoustic tags, making it the longest and most comprehensive research project on the species ever conducted. The aim of the study is to provide insights into crocodile habits and their movement, to better understand how crocodiles and people can co-exist. If we can keep people safe we will also protect the crocodile.

Wildlife Warriors Worldwide is working in partnership with Fauna & Flora International (FFI) on an extremely effective and successful tiger conservation program. FFI has been working in Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP), one of the largest national parks in south-east Asia covering over 1.4 million hectares and one of the last remaining habitats for the Sumatran tiger.

We have had great success with the Tiger Conservation and Protection Units (TCPU). The TCPUs are the most successful tiger law enforcement program in south-east Asia - they consist of mobile teams of trained personnel that gather information about illegal activities such as poaching, logging and illegal settlements in and around the national park. Their main aim is to deter these activities, and also to remove snares that are set by poachers to catch wildlife.

These patrols work in extremely harsh conditions - each member of the patrol carries approximately 35kg of equipment and supplies, and covers between 10 and 15km every day on foot through terrain that is incredibly tough. The rangers are also often put at great personal risk, apprehending some of the dangerous people who poach wildlife. Sometimes they even have to go undercover to expose illegal wildlife dealers and the middlemen they work with.

In addition to being the biggest financial supporter of the program, Wildlife Warriors has provided the TCPUs with vehicles and an assortment of other necessary equipment, including global positioning systems (GPS), digital cameras, veterinary drugs, uniforms and spotlights. We are also involved in generating and updating tiger information, surveying of key species, training of key field personnel, and tools for the TCPUs including packs, boots and other equipment.

Setting up the TCPUs within Sumatra has resulted in thousands of square kilometres of forests being patrolled and protected, in the protection of local communities and their livelihoods, an increase in community education, and benefits not only to tigers, but to other species who call KSNP home.

In the past 12 months alone, the TCPUs have deactivated hundreds of snares, including nearly 100 set specifically for tigers, and made 6 arrests, so this project is fundamental to the protection of the Sumatran Tiger, as well as the other native wildlife that inhabit KSNP.