## **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**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
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
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)**
**Name Dates acted if not for whole year**
March **2012**
**TAR**
1
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Type of adviser Name Address
Veterinary Michael Thorne
Zoology Andrew Loveridge
**----- End of picture text -----**
**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:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
- 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.
- relationship with any related parties;
- 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
March **2012**
**TAR**
2
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:
- preventing the destruction of trees used by nesting pairs by installing protective wire netting around the base of 100 identified trees to deter elephants.
- Monitoring 11 key vulture breeding colonies during the breeding season (over 120 known nest sites)
- 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.
- The tracking devices on white backed vultures are providing an early warning system for poaching incidents. This assists in timely response and investigation.
- Working closely with regional partners, monitoring breeding habitats and nest sites.
- 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:
- Develop capacity for molecular work for zoonotic disease diagnostics and wildlife forensics
- Transboundary regional assessment on the role of fences in disease prevention and transmission in wildlife and livestock.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)**
March **2012**
**TAR**
3
You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about:
- policy on grantmaking;
- policy programme related investment;
- contribution made by volunteers.
## Section D Achievements and performance
March **2012**
**TAR**
4
## Section D Achievements and performance
**Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year**
- During 2022 we achieved some important goals including:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
March **2012**
**TAR**
5
Section D Achievements and performance
- 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.
- 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.
- 531 direct beneficiaries from maize and millet seeds
- 42 snares and foreign objects removed from wildlife in the Victoria Falls area
- 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
- 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.
- VFWT facilitated an Epidemiologist position in the KAZA region to further the activities and aims of the working group.
- 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.
March **2012**
**TAR**
6
## **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:
- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
- 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
March **2012**
**TAR**
7
## **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|
|---|---|---|
Page 1
## **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|
|---|---|
Page 2
## **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**|
|---|---|---|
R. G. Dacomb - Finance Trustee
10 March 2023
Page 3
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