Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Da Month Year From 01 01 2022 To 31 12 2022
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1166614 Charity's principal address 9 The Clock Tower Redlers Waterside, Dudbridge Rd. Stroud, Gloucestershire Postcode GL5 3LH
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Gary Gilmour Chairman Full year
2 Andrew Weir Full year
3 Valerie Swanson Secretary Full year
Rodney Graeme Full year
4
Dacomb
5 James O Murray Full year
6 Helen Buckworth Sept 14 [th] , 2022 started
7 Barry Hemans Dec 1 [st] , 2022 started
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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
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Type of adviser Name Address
Veterinary Michael Thorne
Zoology Andrew Loveridge
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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
CIO Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Trust How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Elected by a majority of Trustees Trustee selection methods
- (eg. trust, association, company)
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
VFWT held quarterly board meetings and reviewed relevant procedures and policies and networking for Trustees not able to attend meetings in person
VFWT maintained the company risk register and reviewed any new risks and updated outstanding risks each board meeting. VFWT also continued to hold virtual meetings with downstream implementing project partners to review their risks and procedures.
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
To promote, for the benefit of the public, the conservation and protection of the natural environment in Southern Africa by providing grants and undertaking research in connection with animal welfare and the environment.
To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the natural environment of Southern Africa
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Grant funding was been secured from Ernest Kleinwort CT with the objective of protecting significant breeding colonies of critically endangered species of vulture (in particular the white backed vulture) established along the Zimbabwe and Zambian border. The project goal was to address the decline in numbers of breeding pairs (estimated 15% decline in 2021). In 2022 this was achieved by the following:
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preventing the destruction of trees used by nesting pairs by installing protective wire netting around the base of 100 identified trees to deter elephants.
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Monitoring 11 key vulture breeding colonies during the breeding season (over 120 known nest sites)
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In collaboration with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Vulpro from South Africa helped deploy tracking devices on 8 white backed vultures in the Victoria Falls area.
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The tracking devices on white backed vultures are providing an early warning system for poaching incidents. This assists in timely response and investigation.
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Working closely with regional partners, monitoring breeding habitats and nest sites.
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Monitoring poisoning incidents; 50 and 43 dead birds were found in two incidents in August and November respectively, both in Botswana.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
Public benefit is derived from the conservation of endangered species of vultures, primarily white backed. The steps being taken are not only protecting endangered species but also enabling a quicker response time when carcasses are identified by vulture movement, for anti-poaching efforts.
Generous support from the Oak Foundation is enabling the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Disease and Forensics Laboratory to expand its technical and diagnostic capacity. This funding has been used to:
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Develop capacity for molecular work for zoonotic disease diagnostics and wildlife forensics
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Transboundary regional assessment on the role of fences in disease prevention and transmission in wildlife and livestock.
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Regional assessment on laboratory capacity in the KAZA TFCA Set up a new test for lion genetics helping to identify lion parts, where they come from and from which lion. This will greatly assist the authorities in casework studies of poached animals for the illegal wildlife trade.
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In collaboration with SOFA, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust is developing a booklet on wildlife identification and protected species in Zimbabwe and provides references for morphological (physical) identification of wildlife.
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In collaboration with UK NGO TRACE, US Fish and Wildlife Service and the team leaders from the region (KAZA), training has rolled out on the Morphological Identification of ivory.
Public Benefit is derived from VFWT being an active member of the Kavango Zambezi Animal Health Sub-working Group. This organisation works with the partners in the five member states to improve wildlife and animal health.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
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You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
Section D Achievements and performance
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
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During 2022 we achieved some important goals including:
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42 rhino darted for notching and some dehorned, 6 were fitted for transmitters. 2 white rhino were translocated to a new founder population. The development of an SNP panel lab test for Black Rhino is planned for 2023. 88 genetic samples have been collected.
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3925 Laboratory procedures and tests were performed. With generous support from the Oak Foundation the laboratory is in the process of expanding its technical and diagnostic capacity. These functions will expand in 2023 into bacteriology and additional molecular genetics work.
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561 children participated in the conservation education. This project, which was on hold for 2 years due to the pandemic, is now back underway. A new team member spearheading the project has joined our team. She has 5 years teaching experience, including establishing Eco-Clubs and augmenting curriculums to enhance knowledge and experience. She has developed new lesson plans in line with the primary school curriculum and has established a great network with local teachers, headmasters and the Ministry of Education. Students are now enjoying the weekly conservation education interaction.
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4300 rocket stoves were distributed. VFWT has partnered with Harare –based My Trees to supply Victoria Falls high-density areas with rocket stoves which replace open fires. This reduces the need for large solid fuel by 66% by efficiently using branches, twigs and small wood scraps while reducing harmful wood smoke. Consequently, we are seeing a significant reduction in timber extraction from the forest. We will continue to meet with our partners during the coming year to discuss challenges, suggestions and feedback and monitoring the fuel effectiveness, wood collection rates and other livelihood improvements. The programme will also be auditing changes to CO2 emmisions.
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VFWT continue to manage and monitor Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) with the help of Community Guardians in area Hot Spots, the use of Chilli strings (elephant deterrent) and mobile predator proof bomas. Working with Herding for Hope (H4H) VFWT conducted a feasibility study and theory of change to improve rural livelihoods and livestock. This will continue in 2023.
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VFWT, working together with the Victoria Falls River Brewery, have developed a mini value-chain for some small scale rural farmers. The Brewery purchases millet from the farmers, providing them with much needed income. A small percentage of the grain is then used in fermenting a craft beer that is sold to the local public. The residue from the fermented grain is then donated to VFWT who collect and dry the grain and distribute it back to those communities with livestock bomas who use it as a supplementary feed providing nutrition for livestock.
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132 vulture nest sites assessed and monitored. We are working hard to protect the habitat and mitigate poisoning. In collaboration with Vulpro from South Africa, 8 tracking devices were deployed on white backed vultures from Victoria Falls. The resultant spatial data provides scientific evidence on rehabilitation success. 7 further tracking devices were deployed and the data will provide information on nest site areas and potential poaching hot spots.
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Elephant conservation and research project, a collaboration between VFWT and Connected Conservation teams, deployed 6 satellite collars on elephant that were identified as problem animals. Monitoring of this project continues.
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Section D Achievements and performance
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Conservation and VFWT collaborated to provide farmers with the opportunity to grow chilli crops and provided concentrated chilli powder to other small scale farmers to protect their maize and millet crops from crop-raiding elephants. Successful training with the community also facilitated better understanding of the drivers of human-elephant conflict.
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1500 doses of rabies vaccination and over 1000 doses of distemper vaccine were given to dogs in the rural communities. This is an important part of what VFWT do in keeping our communities, animals and ecosystems healthy.
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531 direct beneficiaries from maize and millet seeds
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42 snares and foreign objects removed from wildlife in the Victoria Falls area
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The High Care Rehabilitation Centre was busy with a variety of orphaned and injured animals, most of which were eventually successfully released back into the wild
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Development of ID Booklet on Wildlife Morphology enhancing the technical knowledge of ecologists and investigators. Two training events were held in collaboration with UK NGO TRACE, US Fish & Wildlife Service and other teams in the region. One was held in South Africa where 25 laboratory technicians were trained and the other held in Namibia where wildlife investigators and CITIES officers from the KAZA region were trained.
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VFWT facilitated an Epidemiologist position in the KAZA region to further the activities and aims of the working group.
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VFWT deployed a further 5 satellite collars on lions. Using the downloads from all the satellite collars on lion, we have been able to update people as needed to keep both people and lion safe. We are able to use the spatial movements from satellite collars to remain aware of how and where the prides are moving.
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Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
The charity policy on reserves at this time is to hold a minimum of £50000 as reserves
Details of any funds materially in deficit
None
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
The charity’s principal sources of funds have continued to be mainly grant driven, with the bulk of funding for grants coming from the Oak Foundation.
Funding has gone principally to projects supporting the objectives of the charity. The bulk of the funding has gone to the budget lines allocated in the respective grants for projects in Zimbabwe, and restricted donation requirements (e.g. towards a vehicle for wildlife researcher in Zimbabwe), for laboratory support and an epidemiologist under the Oak grant.
The charity only has a bank account and makes no investments.
- investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Graeme Dacomb Full name(s) Gary Gilmour Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair Finance etc) Date 31 March 2023
Get rid of
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VICTORIA FALLS WILDLIFE TRUST
CHARITY NUMBER: 1166614
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE 12 months to 31 December 2022
UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
| RECEIPTS Donations Lion Collars Gift Aid Interest TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Bank Charges Brochures Transfers to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust in Zimbabwe for use in Rescue & Rehabilitation Payments to professional fundraisers, incl expenses Purchase/donation of vehicle Darting Supplies SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) Transfers from Restricted Funds Net Movement in Funds |
£ £ 59,882 0 0 0 59,882 59,882 192 0 46,385 0 18,303 0 64,880 -£4,998 0 -£4,998 2022 |
2021 £ £ 41,448 41,000 10,250 0 92,698 92,698 4 0 25,804 0 15,875 91 41,774 £50,924 23349 £74,273 |
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VICTORIA FALLS WILDLIFE TRUST
CHARITY NUMBER: 1166614
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE 12 Months to 31 December 2022
RESTRICTED FUNDS
| 2022 £ RECEIPTS DFID Grant 0 IUCN Grant 0 Oak Foundation 22,500 Oak Foundation KAZA 124,583 University of Oxford - Human/Wildlife conflict mitigation 0 University of Oxford - Wildlife Conservation Research 0 Ernest Kleinwort Trust - Vulture conservation 5,000 Beit Trust - Interpretive Centre 0 Total Receipts £152,083 PAYMENTS DFID Grant transferred to VFWT Zimbabwe 0 IUCN Grant transferred to VFWT Zimbabwe 0 Oak Foundation Grant transferred to VFWT Zimbabw 29,091 Oak Foundation KAZA Grant transferred to VFWT Zim 34,691 Interpretive Centre 0 Ernest Kleinwort Trust - Vulture Conservation 5,000 Wildlife Conservation Research Grant expenses 0 Total Payments 68,782 Net Receipts/Payments 83,301 Cash funds at beginning 29,714 Cash funds at period end £113,015 |
2021 £ 254 25,051 37,500 0 0 0 0 21,000 £83,805 26,109 26,108 17,286 3,858 21,000 0 14,070 108,431 -24,626 54,340 £29,714 |
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VICTORIA FALLS WILDLIFE TRUST
CHARITY NUMBER: 1166614
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2022
| CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments Bank deposit accounts CURRENT LIABILITIES Creditors and accruals falling due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS FUNDS At 1 January Net movement in funds At 31 December Of which:RESERVED FUNDS UNRESERVED FUNDS ANALYSIS of RESTRICTED FUNDS IUCN Grant Oak Foundation Grant Oak Foundation KAZA Grant Ernest Kleinwort Trust Oxford WildCru Grant Signed |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 0 0 0 96,080 113,015 209,095 0 0 0 £96,080 £113,015 £209,095 101,078 29,714 130,792 -4,998 83,301 78,303 £96,080 £113,015 £209,095 £50,000 £113,015 £163,015 £46,080 0 £46,080 0 23,123 89,892 0 0 £113,015 in Approval 2022 |
Unrestricted Restricted Total 0 0 0 101,078 34,714 135,792 0 5,000 5,000 £101,078 £29,714 £130,792 26,805 54,340 81,145 74,273 -24,626 49,647 £101,078 £29,714 £130,792 £50,000 £29,714 £79,714 £51,708 0 £51,708 0 29,714 0 0 0 £29,714 2021 |
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R. G. Dacomb - Finance Trustee
10 March 2023
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Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report R•port to the trustees Vthria Falls Wildlife Trust On accounts for the year ended 31 D8MbOr 2022 Charlty no (If any) 1166614 Sot out on page8 1-3 Irwi*nbfrr to lh9 pago of slittelfyl I report to the trustees on my ex8minatK)n of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust") for the year erKled R•sponslbllltlo8 and ba813 ol report As th6 charftys trustees, you are responslble for th8 preparadon of th8 accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities AGrt 2011 (Ihe Act.). I report In respect of my 8xaminatk)n of the Trust's 8co)unts c4rrled out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Acl and in carrying out my examlnauon, I have foilowed all the applicable DirectK)ns given by tho Chanty Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the ACL Independent lThe charity's gross income exed £250,OCQ and l am qualified to •xamlnerf8 Statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Iln8ert name of applicable lisled b¢)dy]]. Debte [ l rfnot 8pplicgble. I have rnpleted my examinatlon. I confirn that no maierfal matters have me to my attention In connectlon wlth the examinatlon (other Ihan that disclosed below ') whith gives e4use to believe Ihat in. any materlal the accountlrKJ reo)rds were not kept in accx)rdance with sectlon 130 of th8 Charities Act: or the accounts did not ac¢ord with the accounting records,. or the aectiunts did not comply with the applicable requlrements conceming the form and (x)ntent of accounts set out In the Charlties (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2CK)8 othor than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view whlch is not 8 matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters In conn8Ctlon wlth the examination to which attention should be drawn In this report in order to enable a prOpr understsnding of the accounts to be reached, se delets the words in bckets ifthey do not apply. Slgned: 10Marth 2023 Name: Gavin Power Relovant professlonal quallficatlon(s) or body IER Oct 2018
(If any): Addr. 77 (knrd Road South Lon(k)n W4 3DD Seclion B DisclosLJre Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters of conrn (see CC32, Independent examinatr<)n of charity awunts: directbns and guidan for examiners). Glv• h•r• brlef dgtalls ol any Ilams that the oxamlner wishes to dlsclose. IER Oct 2018