Prince William sends personal thanks to Africa's wildlife rangers
The Prince of Wales, Prince William, has thanked wildlife rangers across Africa in a personal note signed simply “W”.
The note was brief. Posted from the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram account, it said: “A huge well done to every ranger who took part. Proud to support such an extraordinary community and the incredible work you do. W” It followed this year’s race on Saturday 19 September, as reported by Hello! Magazine.
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is an annual fundraising campaign. Rangers from 21 African countries compete over 21km. This year teams gathered at hub events in Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and Uganda, while others ran from their own posts.
The 2026 edition used four-person ranger teams. Each team raced 21km carrying up to 22kg of kit. That load reflects the packs worn on patrol.
What makes this stand out is the scale behind a single morning’s run. Since 2020 the Challenge has raised over $25 million, according to Tusk. The charity says it has supported 11,500 rangers across 24 African countries and benefited more than 500,000 people.
William has been Royal Patron of Tusk since 2005. The role means his name is formally attached to the charity’s work. Tusk focuses on conservation and community development across Africa.
Tusk says it has backed conservation work in Africa since 1990. Its partners have helped secure more than 50 million hectares for wildlife, support 41 threatened species and reach more than 10 million people. Its school materials, known as PACE, are used by 200,000 children, and 45 of its supported projects help address the illegal wildlife trade.
William later built on his work with Tusk to create United for Wildlife, a group focused on tackling the illegal wildlife trade. Tusk remains a prominent supporter of that effort.
Days before the race, William and his wife, the Princess of Wales, Princess Kate, visited the Isle of Bute on 17 September to celebrate community spirit and volunteering. The couple, who use the titles Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when in Scotland, helped pick up litter from Ettrick Bay Beach and joined in a game of shinty, the fast stick sport played in Scotland.
After the official visit the couple stayed on in Scotland for the weekend. They were believed to have travelled to Royal Deeside, an area long linked with royal holidays.
