8
## **Trustees' Annual Report for the period**
Period start date Period end date Day Month Year Da Month Year 01 01 2024 31 12 2024 **From To**
Section A Reference and administration details
**Charity name** Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust **Other names charity is known by** Victoria Falls Wildlife Fund **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 Andrew Weir Chairman Full Year
2 Valerie Swanson Secretary Full year
Rodney Graeme Treasurer Full year
3
Dacomb
4 James O Murray Full year
5 Helen Buckworth Full year
6 Barry Hemans Full Year
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Names of the
trustees for the
charity, if any, (for
18
example, any
custodian
trustees)
Dates acted if not for whole year
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## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
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**
Type of governing document
CIO Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
Trust
How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company) Elected by a majority of Trustees Trustee selection methods (eg. appointed by, elected by)
## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)**
VFWT held quarterly board meetings and reviewed relevant procedures and policies and networking for Trustees not able to attend meetings in person.
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about:
policies and procedures VFWT maintained the company risk register and reviewed any new risks adopted for the induction and and updated outstanding risks at each board meeting. VFWT also training of trustees; continued to hold virtual meetings with downstream implementing project partners to review their risks and procedures.
- the charity’s organisational structure and any wider VFWT continues to implement the 3 year strategy plan and align projects network with which the charity with the UN’s Sustainable Development goals. works;
- relationship with any related parties;
- trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
## **Section C Objectives and activities**
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**Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document**
**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)**
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
Working together with TRACE Wildlife Forensics in the UK, VFWT and TRACE jointly initiated a project to genetically map individualization of the black rhino population of Zimbabwe. This is an ongoing project that is in the process of assessing ~80 individuals. The project will be used to make recommendations on translocation to help improve population genetics. It will also be used to maintain a biological database of genetics on relatedness and to be used for individual matching in cases of poaching. Public benefit is derived from the conservation of critically endangered species of black rhino. The steps being taken are not only protecting endangered species but also enhancing populations. VFWT works alongside many rural communities to try and find sustainable solutions for communities to co-exist with wildlife. With partial funding from Rotary Club South Derby, VFWT was able to refurbish a borehole in the rural community. This borehole was crucial to providing water for many households as well as a water trough for local livestock to utilize. 2024 was a terrible drought season and this project provided crucial resources to households that would have been negatively impacted with both the drought and lack of access to water. Public benefit comes from the many households, people, and their animals that are now able to survive with this basic livelihood staple. Continued 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: Complete species identification on seized evidence for wildlife crime cases on behalf of the wildlife crime investigators Enhance diagnostics into bacteriology with the purchase of new equipment Build capacity of wildlife crime investigators with their counterparts in Zambia through shared knowledge and information on wildlife crime casework, geographic areas of concerns, hot-spots for illegal wildlife crime Assist forensics laboratory technicians in travelling to Mozambique to process and analyse a large scale ivory seizure using DNA analysis to provide results to the government of Mozambique on the origin of the ivory. Facilitate travel of the laboratory team to the African Wildlife Forensics Network Meeting in Malawi to share emerging trends in wildlife crime, methods for overcoming challenges in casework, and analysis of different species.
The public benefits from this project in the conservation of a wide range of species and helping to put protective measures in place to prevent the biodiversity loss of these species.
Public Benefit is derived from VFWT being an active member of the
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Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Animal Health Sub-working Group. This organisation works with the partners in the five member states to improve wildlife and animal health. VFWT is also a member of the KAZA Elephant Conservation Sub Working Group and Carnivore Conservation Sub Working Group. These groups help guide strategy and develop objectives and workplans for partners to achieve larger conservation goals and connectivity of wild areas. A donation that was received in 2023 was also put to use in purchasing two more lion collars for monitoring of the lion population in Zambezi National Park.
**Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)**
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You **may choose** to include further statements, where relevant, about:
- policy on grantmaking;
- policy programme related investment;
- contribution made by volunteers.
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## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year**
- During 2024 we achieved some important goals including: VFWT immobilized 71rhino in 2024 for de-horning and ear-notching exercises, 38 black rhino and 36 white rhino were immobilized across three geographic areas of Zimbabwe. VFWT assisted in the translocation and reintroduction of rhino in the South East of Hwange National Park in an effort to protect the species and reintroduce the rhino through community derived benefits.
- 11 new devices were fitted on white backed vultures that provide real time data to monitor spatial movements, as well as provide an AI derived mapping of “clusters” that are prioritized for further assessment and ground truthing. This assists in early identification of wildlife carcasses (natural, disease, poaching) as well as vulture mortalities.
- 152 vulture nest sites were surveyed for breeding activity and use 6523 laboratory procedures were completed 4 more new mobile predator proof kraals were deployed, bringing the total up to 13 kraals
- 207 human wildlife conflict incidents were responded to of which 180 involved livestock and 27 involved crop damage
- 1703 livestock are now in 13 mobile predator proof bomas, benefitting 216 households and small scale farmers
- 0 lions were lost due to human wildlife conflict
- 1221 participants in the conservation education programme 2000 doses of rabies vaccine and distemper vaccine were given to dogs in the rural communities. This is a key factor in preventing disease spillover between animals and humans and ensuring a One Health model.
- 53 animals were immobilized for removal of wire snares and foreign objects
- The High Care Rehabilitation Centre was busy with a variety of orphaned and injured animals, most of which were eventually released into the wild
- The KAZA Animal Health Sub-Working Group Epidemiologist worked together with ReHerd to begin undertaking an assessment on the State of Livestock regionally in an effort to get actual numbers of total livestock in KAZA by member state.
## **Section E Financial review**
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## **Brief statement of the**
The charity policy on reserves at this time is to hold a minimum of £50000 as reserves
## **charity’s policy on 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 for lion collars, 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)**
**Full name(s)** R G Dacomb
**Position (eg Secretary, Chair,** Treasurer **etc)**
**Date** 25 May 2025
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## **VICTORIA FALLS WILDLIFE TRUST**
## **CHARITY NUMBER: 1166614**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE 12 months to 31 December 2024**
## **UNRESTRICTED FUNDS**
|**RECEIPTS**
General donations
Donation for mobile boma
Donation for Lion Collars/Drone
Gift Aid
Interest
**TOTAL RECEIPTS**
**PAYMENTS**
Bank Charges
Newsletter/brochures
Transfers to VFWT Zim for use
in Rescue & Rehabilitation
Purchase of mobile boma
Lion collars
Construction of Admin block at
VFWT Rehab Centre
Donation to Malilangwe iro TRACE
**SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)**
Transfers from Restricted Funds
**Net Movement in Funds**|£
£
33,207
3,000
4,759
2,965
462
44,393
44,393
378
3,515
0
2,980
0
40,519
17,183
64,575
-£20,182
0
-£20,182
**2024**|**2023**
£
£
27,703
24,600
6,150
0
58,453
58,453
273
2,242
7,800
1,694
0
0
12,009
£46,444
19,580
£66,024|
|---|---|---|
Page 1
## **VICTORIA FALLS WILDLIFE TRUST**
## **CHARITY NUMBER: 1166614**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE 12 Months to 31 December 2024**
## **RESTRICTED FUNDS**
|**2024**
£
**RECEIPTS**
Oak Foundation
3,950
Oak Foundation KAZA II
125,647
University of Oxford - Human/Wildlife conflict mitigation
0
University of Oxford - Wildlife Conservation Research
0
Ernest Kleinwort Trust - Vulture conservation
0
**Total Receipts**
£129,597
**PAYMENTS**
Oak Foundation Grant transfer - VFWT Zim
3,950
Oak Foundation KAZA Grant transfer - VFWT Zim
99,443
Oak Foundation KAZA II Grant transfer - VFWT Zim
43,663
Ernest Kleinwort Trust - Vulture Conservation
10,000
Wildlife Conservation Research
Grant expenses
0
**Total Payments**
157,056
Net Receipts/Payment
-27,459
Cash funds at beginni
109,443
Transfer to Unrestricted Funds - Oak expenses paid by V
0
Cash funds at period e
£81,984|**2023**
£
0
139,879
0
0
10,000
£149,879
23,123
110,748
0
0
133,871
16,008
113,015
-19,580
£109,443|
|---|---|
Page 2
## **VICTORIA FALLS WILDLIFE TRUST**
## **CHARITY NUMBER: 1166614**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**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|**Unrestricted**
0
141,922
0
£141,922
162,104
-20,182
£141,922
£50,000
£91,922
|**Restricted**
**Total**
0
0
81,984
223,906
0
0
£81,984
£223,906
109,443
271,547
-27,459
-47,641
£81,984
£223,906
£81,984
£131,984
0
£91,922
0
0
81,984
0
0
£81,984
**2024**|**Unrestricted Restricted**
**Total**
0
0
0
162,536
109,443
271,979
432
0
432
£162,104
£109,443
£271,547
96,080
113,015
209,095
66,024
-3,572
62,452
£162,104
£109,443
£271,547
£50,000
£109,443
£159,443
£112,104
0
£112,104
0
0
99,443
10,000
0
£109,443
**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|
Signed in Approval
R. G. Dacomb - Finance Trustee
10 March 2024
Page 3
CHARITY COMMISSION,,
FOR ENGLAND AND N/,LES:.
Independent examinerfs
report on the accounts
'ction.A'
Independent,Ex
Report to the trusteesl
members of
Or:. accounts for the year
ended
31 DeT,bE :-')l?."
Charity no . 1166614
{if any,
Set out on pages
I report to Ir.JSi my examinatiop. of the accounts of the above
charty ("the Tn il"
'.o- I.e year ended 31,'1212024. 3:" ,.
Responsibiltties and As the tharity rrusieps of Ehe Trust, you are responsible for the PparatIOn
basis of report of the accounts in >ccordailce with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 ("the Ac¥').
I report in rebOccI "T my eAamination of the Trust's accounts C?led out
under section 145 Jftne 2011 Ad ano iri .?rrying out my examination, I
have followe-
"plicaile DirectiDns given i)y the Charity Cornfftissiori
under section
-"F5 j) (i) f the Act.
I have completed n',y examination. I confimi that no material matters have
come to my attep,tign (
") in connec.tion with
the examina ior. whidi. gi,eS tr.e cause la believe that in. any material
respect..
accoui)tiiig :=coKis were not kept in accordance with section 130 of
the Act Gr
the ac4x)'Jnts do r,0", accord with the accounting records
Indepenaent
examinerfs statement
! h.ave nc ca.Icerp.o 2nd have corp.e acrcsi no other tnatters in connection
wilh the exari;ir.4tic,ry to inICh attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper undest-i(4'.,g of tne accosinls to be reached.
ase del&+e *1= words ,'n the btsckets if they do not apply.
SFgned:
Date:
12 March 2025
Name".
Cav.n Pcwe".
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body
(if any):
Address:
77 Oxford R03G SGUth
London W4 3D)
IER
October 2018