Over A Decade of Global Conservation: Celebrating GCF’s Worldwide Impact

 

Over a decade ago, Global Conservation Force (GCF) was founded by Mike Veale with a coalition of American and South African wildlife professionals, individuals with decades of experience in wildlife rehabilitation, environmental and wildlife law enforcement, exotic and zoo veterinary practice, and anti-poaching operations across the United States, Africa, and Asia. From the outset, GCF has also drawn on advisors and specialists from a wide spectrum of fields, including community-based conservation, ecology, wildlife biology, technology, and zoological sciences. The vision was clear: to create a diverse and dynamic operational team capable of building, expanding, and elevating wildlife protection and conservation efforts on both grassroots and global scales.

 

Today, GCF continues to uphold that vision with a truly international team of in-situ and ex-situ conservationists, volunteers, and professionals dedicated to protecting wildlife, supporting rangers, and engaging communities worldwide. This team brings decades of expertise and commitment to every project, uniting professionals across disciplines to tackle wildlife threats with precision, creativity, and compassion.

A Global Team for Global Conservation

GCF’s strength lies in its global network of experts and field operatives. Each region contributes unique experience, skills, and perspectives:

  • The Netherlands – Home to world-leading K9 instructors, regularly contracted by militaries, police, customs agencies, and international conservation operations.

  • France – Represented by National Geographic ambassador and ranger Antoine Musy, and award-winning cinematographer Greg Champion, bringing storytelling and conservation together.

  • United Kingdom – Retired and active Royal Marines, alongside senior former London Police officers, contributing tactical, leadership, and training expertise.

  • Southern & East Africa – Rangers safeguarding biodiversity across high-risk landscapes and reserves.

  • Bangladesh – GCF-trained K9s and handlers supporting research initiatives and anti-wildlife trafficking operations.

  • South Africa – A central hub for GCF operations, where anti-poaching rangers now lead the Kariega Anti-Poaching Unit, protecting wildlife across private, provincial, and national parks.

  • Australia – GCF’s lead medic and TECC (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care) instructor, who previously managed the Save Australia’s Wildlife program.

  • United States – Almost entirely volunteer-based, spanning ten states and including former police, federal agents, military, special forces veterans, veterinarians, researchers, and educators, along with one key paid administrative staff member.

  • Canada – Honorary Ranger Blake Moynes and The SOSA collaborate on field projects and conservation events.

  • Japan – STM Studios artists contribute hundreds of educational and artistic projects supporting GCF’s mission.

  • Indonesia – Collaborative partnerships extending GCF’s reach to new landscapes and communities.

  • Thailand–Myanmar – Teams advancing wildlife protection, education, and community-based conservation in Southeast Asia.

  • New Zealand – Coming soon, expanding GCF’s reach in education, fundraising, and program development.

Importantly, all ex-situ team members traveling to project zones do so as volunteers, donating their expertise and professional services to maximize the impact of GCF’s in-situ ranger support and wildlife protection operations.

Our Four Pillars of Action

 

GCF approaches global conservation challenges through four strategic pillars:

 

1. Anti-Poaching

  • K9 and K9 conservation programs

  • Mounted anti-poaching patrols

  • Sponsored ranger training and gear programs

  • Technology development, application, and field training

  • Supporting regional standardization of anti-poaching efforts

2. Veterinary, Rehabilitation, and Research (“True Conservation”)

  • Supporting in-situ conservationists and research efforts

  • Veterinary and wildlife rehabilitation training and equipment

  • Wildlife GPS collaring and emergency relocations

  • Camera trapping and animal population monitoring

3. Education and Awareness

  • Community-based conservation education programs in Africa and Asia

  • International classroom programs for students worldwide

  • Filming and participation in wildlife documentaries

  • Projects addressing wildlife product demand reduction

  • Professional education for law enforcement and the public

4. Counter Wildlife Trafficking

  • Intelligence-driven operations at local, regional, and international levels

  • Actionable intelligence provided to international law enforcement

  • Government consulting and liaison services

A Global Stage for Conservation

 

GCF has also dedicated its mission to engaging the global media landscape, connecting with movie studios, news outlets, television channels, and independent filmmakers worldwide. These collaborations have resulted in multiple award-winning programs that have reached millions of viewers, raising awareness of conservation issues and showcasing frontline wildlife protection work.

Through these efforts, GCF has attracted major celebrity ambassadors and honorary rangers, including Coyote Peterson, Bear Grylls, Blake Moynes, and Antoine Musy. Media projects such as The Last Ranger—an Oscar-nominated and shortlisted film—demonstrate the power of storytelling to inspire action and educate global audiences about the urgent need for wildlife protection.

A Network of Partnerships Across 30 Countries

 

Along the way, GCF’s impact has been magnified through a robust network of partnerships spanning community organizations, international NGOs, provincial authorities, governments, and universities. These collaborations have extended GCF’s operational reach to more than 30 countries, enabling the development of programs, projects, and initiatives with measurable impact—from on-the-ground anti-poaching operations to research, education, and community-based conservation programs.

A Decade of Collaboration and Expertise

 

Since its founding, GCF has continually expanded its global network, incorporating specialists from top law enforcement, military, research, veterinary, zoological, wildlife rehabilitation, counter-trafficking, and educational organizations worldwide. This unique convergence of skills and experience enables GCF to implement conservation solutions that are not only effective but also collaborative, adaptive, and far-reaching.

 

As GCF celebrates over a decade of conservation impact, its commitment remains steadfast: to protect wildlife, support rangers, empower communities, and unite experts across the globe in the fight against wildlife crime. Together, through our four pillars, global team, media collaborations, and international partnerships, GCF continues to make wildlife protection not just a mission, but a worldwide movement.

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