Steve Backshall Live raises thousands for Tusk

We are proud to announce that TV presenter and naturalist Steve Backshall’s half term show raised more than £25,000 for conservation charity Tusk.

Both Steve and ourselves are committed to conservation and his show was an opportunity to support Tusk which fund projects across Africa which have been vital to conserving habitats, educating communities on how to live side by side with wild animals and supporting breeding programmes.

Seats at Steve’s shows were booked with a £1 per person booking fee with all proceeds going to Tusk. And the figure is set to be doubled as part of Tusk’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge campaign due to a match funding initiative. The Challenge aims to raise $3m to support 10,000 rangers in more than 70 protected areas across 22 African countries.

Darren Beasley, Head of Animal Operations at Longleat, said: “We raised a fantastic £26,331 which is an incredible amount in just nine days. We are really grateful to people who supported the event as they are contributing to the huge difference which Tusk is making.

“Many of the animals who call Longleat home are under threat in the wild so our support for our charity partners is helping preserve the species for future generations. Tusk’s work is protecting over 40 species including elephants and rhinos.”

Steve said: “I’ve been passionate about the wild world since I was a child and being able to support Tusk through my residency at Longleat was a great opportunity to both inspire people about nature as well as funding conservation work which is so vital if we are to ensure wildlife is protected for future generations.

“We had an absolute ball despite the mixed weather which didn’t dampen the spirits of the crowds. From the wonderful Aplomado falcon, hovering and soaring to the sheer size of Tarik the wolf dog, we were able to introduce people to animals they may never otherwise have the opportunity to see. It’s been fantastic to see everyone’s enthusiasm for the natural world matching mine and that of the Longleat keepers.”

Charlie Mayhew OBE, co-founder of Tusk, said: "We are thrilled to have the continued support of Longleat towards our conservation work across Africa and are enormously grateful to Steve Backshall for his part in helping to raise such a fantastic amount for the charity’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge campaign.

“This initiative is supporting the vital work and livelihoods of thousands of brave men and women who act as guardians of our natural world, protecting the endangered species and habitats that are so integral to preserving biodiversity for our planet. I am delighted that the funds raised and donated by Longleat and Steve will be doubled through a generous match fund we have available for this campaign and thereby also doubling the impact of this wonderful donation,"

Find out more about our work with Tusk here