A comprehensive wildlife protection framework (ITR)

At LEAD Conservation, Integrated Threat Reduction (ITR) is the cornerstone of everything we do. This holistic framework combines proactive, reactive, and preventive measures to effectively address and reduce the threats to wildlife and natural ecosystems. Through a structured, multi-tier approach, ITR empowers organisations to anticipate, respond to, and mitigate threats, ensuring long-term conservation success.
By integrating training, mentoring, and tailored strategies at every level, ITR helps teams build resilient systems capable of tackling complex conservation challenges.

How can we support you implementing ITR?

We help conservation organisations put Integrated Threat Reduction (ITR) into action by developing the essential building blocks for reactive, proactive, and preventive wildlife protection.

Our tailored training courses and hands-on mentoring equip teams with the skills, systems, and mindset needed to turn ITR from theory into daily practice. From ranger patrol tactics to threat analysis and strategic planning, we guide you step-by-step in strengthening operational readiness and long-term resilience.

Whether you’re just starting with ITR or refining your approach, we’re here to help you build a stronger, more adaptive protection strategy—one that works on the ground, where it matters most.

MODULE SPOTLIGHT

Foundations of Problem Solving

This module is about one thing: equipping you with the mindset and tools to tackle challenges effectively.

The Foundations of Problem-Solving e-course provides a structured approach to identifying, analysing, and resolving problems in various contexts. Drawing from established methodologies and real-world applications, it emphasises practical techniques that can be applied immediately.

Over the course, you’ll delve into the core principles of problem-solving, including defining problems clearly, exploring potential solutions, and implementing strategies efficiently. The content is designed to be accessible, engaging, and directly applicable to your professional and personal life.

This isn’t about theoretical concepts; it’s about actionable skills that make a difference. By the end of the module, you’ll have a toolkit of strategies to approach problems with confidence and clarity.

Because effective problem-solving isn’t just a skill—it’s a foundation for success in any endeavour.

Practical Information

Entry requirements

This module is open to anyone working in conservation, community engagement, or field operations who is expected to take initiative or make decisions under pressure. No formal qualifications are required. A working knowledge of English and basic digital literacy (ability to navigate an online learning platform) is necessary.

The online platform (LEAD Academy Online) can be found here.

Ranger Life Saver ™

In the Ranger Life Saver module, rangers learn to take immediate action when someone is badly injured and help is hours away. Over 6 intensive days, they develop non-invasive, lifesaving skills based on international best practice (C-TCCC and TECC), adapted to the realities of conservation work.

The focus is on what kills first: catastrophic bleeding, airway and breathing problems, and hypothermia from blood loss. Or as we teach it—stop the bleeding, keep them breathing, and keep them warm.

The module includes short, focused lectures to build foundational understanding, but around 85% of the time is spent on practical application. Training is delivered through drills, repetition, and realistic scenarios. Rangers work in their own field kit, under pressure, using what they would have with them on patrol.

This is not a medical qualification. It is a practical module that gives rangers the ability to buy time—enough to keep someone alive until evacuation or definitive care is possible.

Participants who meet the standard receive an RLS certificate, valid for 2 years. The techniques taught have already saved lives – of rangers, colleagues, and community members.

LEAD Conservation is a Committee for Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (C-TECC) Recognised Training Partner.

Practical Information

Entry requirements

This module is designed for active field rangers and conservation personnel who operate in remote or high-risk environments. No prior medical experience is required. However, participants must be physically fit, able to work under pressure, and willing to engage fully in hands-on training scenarios.

Ranger Physical Training Instructor

The Ranger Physical Training Instructor module prepares experienced rangers to plan, deliver, and assess physical training programmes that match the operational demands of modern conservation work. It focuses on the functional strength, endurance, mobility, and resilience needed to carry out ranger duties effectively and safely in the field.

Participants learn how to structure PT sessions that build real-world performance—whether it’s movement on foot, crawling under fire, carrying equipment, or recovering from injury. They gain insight into training theory, energy systems, and injury prevention, and how to apply this knowledge in ranger units.

This module also qualifies instructors to support recruits who struggle to meet physical standards, or to guide rangers returning from injury.

Practical Information

Entry requirements

Participants must have recent instructional experience. They must also pass a pre-course fitness test.

Mentoring

Mentoring is a critical element in operationalising new skills, behaviours, and procedures introduced through training. It provides hands-on support as teams begin to apply the Integrated Threat Reduction (ITR) framework in real-world settings.

Our mentors work alongside key staff to guide implementation, troubleshoot challenges, and reinforce learning on the ground. This support helps teams internalise ITR principles and gives leaders the confidence and competence to drive change within their own departments.

Mentoring ensures that progress isn’t just theoretical—it becomes practice.

Case studies

How LEAD supported Akashinga in developing in-house training capacity

In the vast, untamed wilderness of Zimbabwe, where the battle for wildlife is fought not just with guns but with knowledge, the Akashinga Academy in Phundundu stands as a testament to what can be achieved when local leadership and a commitment to sustainability are placed at the centre of conservation efforts. This case study looks at how LEAD Conservation’s approach to developing in-house training capacity played a pivotal role in shaping the Academy’s ability to meet its own needs, while also preparing its teams for the unpredictable challenges that lie ahead.

By embedding training within the local context and cultivating leaders from the ground up, Akashinga has shifted the dynamics of conservation training. The result? A more efficient, culturally aligned, and self-sufficient approach to wildlife protection that echoes the wider goals of LEAD Conservation’s work—empowering people to lead and adapt to ever-changing circumstances. But in this world, sustainability is never given. It’s earned. And this story traces how LEAD helped Akashinga carve out its own path to long-term success.

Case study