The Ford Wildlife Fund (FWF) is celebrating a decade of operation and retains its commitment to community empowerment and environmental conservation. Building on more than 30 years of conservation support, Ford South Africa launched the FWF to formalise and enhance its contributions to environmental preservation. Initially supporting 15 conservation projects, the foundation has since expanded its reach to include 17 wildlife and ecosystem conservation initiatives, seven research projects, and five education programmes.
These projects span South Africa, Namibia, and Mozambique, addressing challenges ranging from poaching to habitat restoration and species relocation.
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Lynda du Plessis, FWF’s manager, emphasises the foundation’s unique approach. “Our goal was to provide conservation organisations with capable and reliable transport, allowing them to focus their limited resources on their vital work rather than on vehicle costs,” she explains.
A Fleet for Conservation
The FWF started with the donation of 12 Ford Ranger bakkies, two Ford Ikon sedans, and one loan vehicle in 2014. Recognising the dynamic needs of their partners, the foundation shifted in 2017 to a two-year loan arrangement, ensuring that projects benefit from the latest vehicle models equipped with modern technology, enhanced safety, and improved fuel efficiency. Since then, 92 Ford Rangers have been loaned, with many organisations purchasing their vehicles after completing loan cycles.
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One of FWF’s flagship collaborations is the Black Rhino Range Expansion Programme (BBREP), managed by WWF-South Africa. This initiative has safeguarded critically endangered black rhino populations by relocating them to protected habitats to boost breeding potential. Since its inception, BBREP has secured some 350 000 hectares of habitat, fostering a population of 350 black rhinos. Notably, dehorning efforts have reduced poaching by an average of 80%.
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Similarly, the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has utilised FWF support to advance projects such as the Carnivore Range Expansion initiative. This project recently relocated 16 African wild dogs over 1 200 kilometres, contributing to the growth of cheetah and wild dog populations in Southern Africa.
Ocean, Wetland, and Grassland Conservation
FWF’s impact extends to marine ecosystems through its support of the Oceanographic Research Institute’s Coral Reef Programme, which monitors coral health along South Africa’s coastline. The foundation has also provided critical backing to the Overberg Renosterveld Conservation Project, preserving fragmented and at-risk Renosterveld habitats in the Western Cape.
Another notable partner, BirdLife South Africa’s Landscape Conservation Programme, focuses on protecting vulnerable terrestrial birds and their ecosystems.
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In addition to conservation, FWF champions education and community outreach. The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) runs initiatives like the Eco-Schools Programme, fostering environmental awareness among students and educators. Meanwhile, the Cape Leopard Trust leverages FWF vehicles for research, education and human-wildlife conflict mitigation, ensuring leopards’ long-term survival in the Cape.
FWF continues to adapt to pressing conservation needs. Recent additions to its portfolio include WWF-SA’s North Eastern Cape Grasslands National Park Project and the University of Mpumalanga’s Anguillid Eels Project, addressing ecosystem challenges through research and restoration.
As it marks a decade of service, the Ford Wildlife Foundation celebrates its partnerships with conservation organisations across Southern Africa.
“We are exceptionally proud of the lasting impacts achieved by our partners,” says Du Plessis. “Together, we’re preserving vital ecosystems for future generations.”
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