While coronavirus is unlikely to decimate wildlife populations, a lack of rangers and guards stopping the killing of recovering species could undo 50 years of work.
Without guards and rangers, a couple of months in the Kruger uncontested by a rhino poaching gang, could see the world losing thousands on rhino.
There were 40,000 rangers operating across Africa (Africa covers 11.7 square miles) and with many big and small reserves rangers often cover hundreds or thousands of square miles- its thought the number of rangers in Africa has halved due to the epidemic.
If we wish a post covid world to still have elephants and lions, we need to support charities working with rangers on the ground- particularly over the next year when few people will be able to safely visit to support this essential work in person.