LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING, EQUIPMENT DONATION SUPPORT AFRICAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION; SERVICE RECOGNIZES CABELAS ASSISTANCE

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Cabelas, a major U.S. outdoor retailer, are providing training and equipment to support the Lusaka Task Force, a wildlife law enforcement coalition of nine central and southern African nations. This new public-private partnership, which was announced today by Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark and Richard Cabela, the companys Chairman of the Board and co-founder, will help meet some basic needs for Task Force officers as they work to protect elephants, rhinos, and other animals from poaching and illegal trade. Safari Club International (SCI), a worldwide charitable organization that promotes wildlife conservation and education, is also supporting this effort. "We are proud to team with Cabelas and SCI to help the Lusaka Task Force field a well-trained, well-equipped force to fight wildlife crime," Clark said. "Lack of proper training or equipment can quickly derail any undertaking. We hope that the generous donation from Cabelas, the additional gift from SCI, and the training assistance provided by our special agents will help the Lusaka Task Force surmount these potential obstacles to the success of their conservation mission." Clark presented the Directors Corporate Wildlife Stewardship Award to Cabelas, which donated more than $40,000 worth of outdoor equipment and clothing to the cooperative African anti-poaching campaign. This honor recognizes corporations for substantial contributions to the protection of fish and wildlife resources.

"Like the sportsmen, sports women, and outdoors enthusiasts who are our customers, we know the threat that poaching represents to wildlife," Cabela said. "Our goal at Cabelas is to serve people who love the outdoors. Now we also have a chance to serve people who are trying to protect part of it." The goods donated by Cabelas include radios, GPS units, compasses, knives, backpacks, canteens, boots, belts, and clothing. This gear will equip 32 African officers who will complete a special three-week training program at Task Force headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, this month. The program