The Sunday Times’ Rich List is eagerly awaited in May every year, as it reveals the 1,000 wealthiest individuals and families in the UK. Brexit has done no favours for most people on this list, but fear not, those featured still have at least £80m (over US$100m) in net wealth.
Significantly, since 2005, as part of the Rich List, The Sunday Times has also produced an annual Giving List, which tracks the most generous philanthropists in the UK as a proportion of their wealth. In 2018, it was reported that of the 300 philanthropists listed in the Giving List, a total of £3,207 billion (US$4.1 bn) was given away – impressive!
Less known is the Red List. The Red List of Threatened Species, founded in 1964, is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. With its strong scientific base, the IUCN Red List is recognized as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity.
Some species on the Red List include:
- White rhino
- Black rhino
- Orangutan
- Arctic Fox
- Hammerhead Shark
- Wolf
Those on the Rich List (especially those in the Giving List) can help the animals on the Red List, and have an incredible travel experience to boot.
Here are the top 5 ways how the Rich List can help save the Red List:
5. Fund and witness a rhino relocation whilst on safari
On one of your safari days in South Africa, participate in a rhino relocation from a heavily poached reserve to a safe one in Botswana. You get to sit in the helicopter with the veterinarian while he darts the rhino, spend time with the sedated rhino on the ground before seeing it airlifted off to safety in Botswana.
Combine this with exploring South Africa’s winelands and Cape Town, Victoria Falls, and Namibia’s towering sand dunes, and more.
4. Fund the re-homing of an orangutan family in Indonesia
Orangutans are on the endangered list due to habitat loss caused by rampant palm oil production, and you can fund and witness the relocation of an orangutan family to a protected reserve where they can thrive.
Combine this with sailing around the islands on a luxury yacht, diving, or head to Bali for spa treatments, cooking classes, surfing and more.
3. Fund the creation of a hammerhead shark nursery in Costa Rica
Join marine biologists and research teams in their tagging and tracking efforts of the Hammerhead Shark, spending the day in one of the largest marine protected areas in the world.
You can help to collect scientific data on shark fisheries and identify and describe critical habitats for the Hammerhead Shark through a shark tagging program. Help fish, catch, measure, tag and then document the vital shark data.
Combine this with submarine exploration, helicopter flights over volcanoes, get immersed in the cowboy culture, and much more.
2. Donate to snow leopard conservation in India and track them in the wild
The snow leopard (also known as the “ghost cat”) is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia. It is listed as Vulnerable on the Red List because the global population is estimated to number less than 10,000 mature individuals and is expected to decline about 10{fd1018b708dc11e6d771fa6d5ce8eacdee7a6add7c2315f27e48bc4e47591114} by 2040. It is threatened by poaching and habitat destruction following infrastructural developments.
With a donation to the World Wildlife Fund, you can embark on a private expedition to track them with expert guides and naturalists in the wilds of Ladakh, India.
1. Donate to help complete a wolf corridor and witness how wolves saved Yellowstone
Colorado is the “missing link” in a wolf corridor from Mexico to Canada which would strengthen and preserve this vital apex predator. Legislation is needed to be passed in Colorado to enable the corridor to be completed. You get to explore Ted Turner’s ranch in Montana to see wolves thriving, and then head to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to see “Ground Zero” where wolves were reintroduced in 1989 after a 70 year absence.
The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone has had a profound effect not just on creating sustainable populations of other wildlife in the park, but also on the rivers and ecosystem of the park – view an inspiring video about this here.
Rich Listers can leave a legacy and have incredible stories to tell by experiencing any of these encounters and making a difference to save an endangered species…and playing a part in securing their long-term viability and getting them moved off the Red List.
And whilst not cheap, you don’t have to officially be on the Rich List in order to participate – you too can be the change…and be changed yourself!
Christopher Hill is Founder and CEO at Hands Up Holidays. Hands Up Holidays is an award-winning travel company specialising in tailor-made luxury family trips that combine sightseeing with hands-on service projects.
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