Dear Friend

What astounds me every time I read a report or visit one of our projects, are the unsung heroes of conservation. Spending time with them is a humbling experience. While I return to the safety of my home these guys are out there fighting evil, well-armed criminal gangs, risking their lives - sometimes on a daily basis - sleeping rough for weeks at a stretch and spending the vast majority of their time far away from their families.

But these are the brave men who stand between survival for tigers, rhinos, elephants and other critically endangered mammals and EXTINCTION……..

Dr Bibhab Talukdar - India
The last time I met Bibhab he was an hour late having got lost on the tube! And yet this is the man who has led me through the tall grass jungles in Kaziranga National Park for hours at a time, always ending up at the exact pin pointed location. Bibhab takes his job to save India's rhinos extremely seriously. He is skilled at negotiating wildlife legislation with key government ministers and equally adept at interrogating poachers! But he also has a charming sense of humour and is always warmly welcomed by the local people in villages on the outskirts of Assam's parks.

Bibhab is an amazing person. Despite his right hand man having been murdered in the line of duty and his own life threatened, he remains utterly driven by his dedication to save the last great one horned Indian rhino. His tireless efforts are paying off. Poaching, which was out of control throughout Assam during the 1990s, has now been considerably reduced.

"I could earn more money with no danger but being able to contribute to rhino conservation gives me full satisfaction. I want to see rhinos survive into the next century."

Don't miss seeing Bibhab and the project on the BBC's Saving Planet Earth on the 29th June.

Simson Uri-Khob - Namibia

I have known this charismatic man for many years and watched him mature from when he first joined Save the Rhino Trust as a trained mechanic. Simson has since completed his Masters degree and is now Director of Research and doing a marvellous job - I don't know what they would do without him! His enthusiasm and love of wildlife is always clearly evident regardless of the never-ending fight to keep the rhinos safe in such harsh arid conditions. Despite the tragic death of SRT founder Blythe, who was his mentor, Simson has come through and is now ever more determined to continue her work. Typically his is more than a full time job that often forces him away from his young family. Monitoring the rhinos and running the anti-poaching patrols takes him away for weeks at a time but it is proving such an effective deterrent against poaching.

"When I was young I witnessed the slaughter of our rhinos and elephants in Damaraland. The conservation of these magnificent creatures is my calling, to save them for our children".

Sergei Bereznuk - Russia

Sergei works too hard - but then as he says, how can you not work hard for wildlife! If you call at 11pm he is more often than not still at his desk or out in the field. As Director of Phoenix Fund based in Vladivostok, he struggles to protect vast areas of the Russian Far East. He devotes himself to one of the most worthwhile causes I know of today - fighting to save the rare Amur tiger.His everlasting enthusiasm helps him to cope with various different tasks - one day he will be lobbying local authorities, the next on patrol deep in the Taiga forest. Sergei and his extraordinary team work in unimaginable conditions risking their lives against gangs of Russian and Chinese poachers and fighting against smuggling, corruption and lack of political will. They rarely see their loved ones and fewer than twelve men patrol a region larger than Britain! Against insurmountable odds Sergei's vision and dynamism are the reason for the phenomenal success of the project and remarkable growth in numbers of Amur tigers.

Jealous Mpofu - Zimbabwe
How people can work through the current crisis in Zimbabwe - the difficulties of just living day to day - and still smile, is beyond me. But Jealous does! And he has never been any different. The project director knew how keen Jealous was to join the Painted Dog Conservation project when he arrived a week early for his interview!

Jealous has been with PDC for ten years and has won the respect of everyone. He has a remarkable sixth sense about the dogs that is at times simply astounding. His is an awesome task - he is responsible for saving hundreds of painted dogs, and other innocent victims, from illegally set snares. He was the one who recently spotted the first signs of rabies and isolated the disease that could have killed countless numbers of this critically endangered species. Jealous gives unlimited time and energy to PDC and has breathed new life into the project. His determination and his smile are also having a positive effect in the communities who through him are now beginning to see the value of this rare species to their livelihoods and their heritage.

The value of these men and their teams is immeasurable. Such is their commitment that they don't think about the risk to their lives and, when funding is scarce, they have even been known to forgo their own salary. These men are quite simply remarkable - please help them. Their funding needs are urgent but a little can go a long way. For example:

• £10 pays for vital intelligence from informers to catch illegal traders
• £25 covers fuel costs for a five-day anti-poaching patrol
• £30 will pay for a rugged back pack to use in the toughest conditions imaginable
• £70 will pay for a pair of tough field binoculars
• £100 will pay a month's salary of an anti-poaching ranger

I know it's a lot to ask but once again I'm hoping I can count on your support for a single gift or a commitment to a regular contribution. Without our rangers these critical projects will lose their frontline support. Without them our precious wildlife is so vulnerable. Do please sponsor Bibhab, Simson, Sergei or Jealous, and help them in their conservation efforts. Your donation will reassure them that we really do care and offer them a vote of thanks for all they are doing.

We pride ourselves on getting the money to where it is needed most. On this occasion, there is no greater need and it really WILL make a difference.

With warmest wishes and sincere thanks

David Shepherd
Founder and President