Tag anti poaching

28 Apr

Brews for Baby Rhinos

Join GCF Founder & CEO Mike Veale and Karen Odendaal of Zululand Conservation Trust and Zululand Rhino Orphanage for an inspiring afternoon! Hear about our latest projects while enjoying delicious brews — Pretzels & Pints is generously donating 10% of sales during the event to support our mission! Casual, fun, and full of conservation spirit.

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19 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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11 Jan

Coffee and Conservation: The Story Behind The Last Ranger with Cindy and David Lee

At Global Conservation Force, we believe in the power of storytelling to inspire action and awareness about critical conservation issues. In this blog, we’re thrilled to share highlights from our latest podcast episode of Coffee and Conservation, where we spoke with the creative minds behind the award-winning short film, The Last Ranger.

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6 Jan

Meet Natasha Frolander

My name is Natasha Frolander, and I am the Vice President of U.S. Operations for Global Conservation Force (GCF). I joined the organization in 2018, bringing with me a rich background of volunteer work with animal rescues and several years working at a local zoo. For anyone considering a path in conservation, my advice is simple: keep going. My journey wasn’t linear—I didn’t grow up dreaming of working with animals. At different points, I thought I’d become a teacher, a psychologist, or a social worker. It wasn’t until I was 28 years old that I found my true calling. Life has a way of presenting opportunities when you’re ready for them. So, no matter where you are or how uncertain the path may seem, take that first step. Passion can lead you to places you never imagined.

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