Category News & Updates

15 Apr

Coffee and Conservation with Mike Veale – Episode: Karen Odendaal

Pour yourself a fresh cup and join Mike Veale for a compelling episode of Coffee and Conservation, featuring Karen Odendaal, Chief Operating Officer of Zululand Conservation Trust (ZCT) and Managing Director of Manyoni Private Game Reserve. Karen has been a driving force in South African conservation since 2005, from her early days as a Black Rhino Monitor to establishing the Zululand Rhino Orphanage and leading groundbreaking community and wildlife initiatives. In this episode, Karen and Mike explore the vital work being done at the intersection of wildlife conservation and community engagement—from pangolin rehabilitation and range expansion to her pivotal role in founding the Zululand Rhino Orphanage in response to the poaching crisis.

READ MORE

12 Apr

Saving Lives in the Field: GCF Fully Sponsors 2025 K9 First Aid Course in South Africa

Global Conservation Force is proud to announce that we are fully sponsoring the next K9 Field First Aid Course for anti-poaching and conservation K9 units in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This life-saving training will take place on May 30th, 2025, in collaboration with Ikhala Veterinary Hospital in Grahamstown, South Africa.

READ MORE

12 Apr

Coffee & Conservation – Jaidacyn Madrigal “Fright for Future”

New Podcast Episode! Join Mike Veale in conversation with Jaidacyn Madrigal, environmental educator, Climate Reality Leader, and team member at Earth 350 San Diego. Jaidacyn shares how everyday choices—like the coffee we drink—connect to global conservation efforts. With a background in hospitality, environmental outreach, and her EcoGirl YouTube channel, she brings a fresh perspective on sustainability that’s both practical and powerful. Don’t miss this inspiring chat on Coffee & Conservation. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts!

READ MORE

25 Mar

Sponsor a Future Guardian of Wildlife

At Global Conservation Force (GCF), we are committed to equipping the next generation of rangers with the skills, training, and gear they need to protect some of the world’s most endangered wildlife. Thanks to a generous grant from the United Methodist Church in Vista, we have secured the base costs for our instructors and the community-selected recruits participating in this year’s Annual Ranger Training Course in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. However, additional funding is still needed to ensure these recruits complete their training fully prepared.

READ MORE

11 Mar

How To Become A Ranger

The path to becoming a wildlife ranger, anti-poaching ranger, or field ranger is both rewarding and demanding. It requires dedication, physical fitness, and a deep respect for wildlife and conservation. Whether you are looking to protect rhinos from poachers, patrol reserves for illegal activities, or work alongside K9 teams in wildlife protection, there are many avenues to enter the field. At Global Conservation Force (GCF), we are committed to preparing the next generation of wildlife protectors through rigorous training programs designed for real-world conservation challenges.

READ MORE

7 Mar

Rhino Poaching Crisis Update

From January to December 2024, 420 rhinos were poached in South Africa—320 on state properties and 100 on private reserves. While this marks a decrease from the 499 rhinos poached in 2023, the fight is far from over.

READ MORE

3 Mar

2025 Global Conservation Force Training Courses

Global Conservation Force (GCF) is excited to announce a series of immersive, hands-on conservation training courses for 2025! Designed to provide participants with critical skills and education, these programs offer a unique opportunity to contribute directly to wildlife protection efforts while experiencing the diverse beauty of South Africa.

READ MORE

1 Mar

Saving Baby Rhinos – A Fundraiser for Emergency Conservation Efforts

Join Global Conservation Force (GCF), Zululand Conservation Trust, and Zululand Rhino Orphanage for an impactful evening dedicated to protecting and caring for orphaned baby rhinos. The surge in rhino poaching across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has left an alarming number of calves orphaned, requiring immediate emergency funding for their protection, medical care, feeding, and long-term rehabilitation. Additionally, funding is needed for rescue operations and the safe release of rehabilitated rhinos back into the wild.

READ MORE

9 Feb

Protecting Pangolins: How You Can Help on World Pangolin Day

Every year, on the third Saturday in February (February 15th this year), conservationists and wildlife lovers around the world celebrate World Pangolin Day—a day dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to protect the world’s most trafficked mammal. Pangolins, often called "scaly anteaters," are facing a devastating crisis due to illegal wildlife trafficking. At Global Conservation Force (GCF), we are committed to fighting for their survival through a multi-faceted approach that includes counter wildlife trafficking investigations, anti-poaching initiatives, K9 conservation units, and global education programs.

READ MORE

6 Feb

Meet Instructor Mike

I am the founder and CEO of Nomad International, a security consulting and government contracting service. Growing up, I felt a strong affinity to animals and envisioned working with them in some way as an adult. But life can take unexpected twists and turns, and I ended up in military service after the events of 9/11. In the US Army, I served in Special Forces as a Green Beret for 20 years. While exciting and rewarding in its own right, my career also provided the opportunity to travel in West Africa along the border regions of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Togo within the Parc “W” Nationale Parc. It was here that I was first introduced to the exotic animals I read about in my youth, while also offering insight to the challenges parks face in protecting wildlife and their habitats. During repeated trips to the Sahel, I also encountered the results of illegal poaching in Mali—elephants killed for their tusks. This experience was so upsetting, it shifted my personal focus toward conservation.

READ MORE