Our Story
Wild is Life USA was founded in 2016 by Greg Merz and Bruce Roberts, in conjunction with Roxy Danckwerts.
The organization was founded to support critical rescue, rehabilitation and rewilding of orphaned and injured wildlife in Zimbabwe. This vision was formed by Greg, Bruce and Roxy while together in Zimbabwe seeing the crucial need to garner support for wildlife rescue and conservation work in Zimbabwe.
Wild is Life USA was instrumental in the formation of the partnership between Wild is Life Zimbabwe and IFAW which contributed to the phenomenal growth and positive impact of the organization for both elephants and local people. Wild is Life USA has made important contributions to the success of the work in Zimbabwe through a wide variety of investments and interventions including: Procurement of specialized milk formula for orphan elephants;drilling of boreholes (wells) to provide clean water for rangers and wildlife;
recruitment and training of community members as conservation rangers; and a wide variety of other critical ongoing investments to and interventions.
recruitment and training of community members as conservation rangers; and a wide variety of other critical ongoing investments to and interventions.
Meet Our Team
Roxy Danckwerts – Founder, Wild is Life Zimbabwe
Conservationist / leader / visionary.
“In my eyes it has always been very simple – humans have a responsibility to protect and look after all animals. Someone was needed to rescue injured wild elephants in Zimbabwe, and I decided that I would step up and try my very best. And that is what I, and my amazing team at Wild is Life Zimbabwe, have been doing with remarkable success since 1998. Rehabilitating and re-wilding elephants is incredibly difficult and fraught with challenges, especially with the limited resources available to us in Zimbabwe. We are very grateful to Wild is Life USA for raising much needed funds for our work, and truly appreciate each and every donor, and donation given. “
Greg Mertz – Founder and CEO, Wild is Life USA
Lawyer / digital media executive and entrepreneur / Stanford University adjunct
“In 2015, my mission to Zimbabwe was fueled by the quest to discover opportunities to champion conservation, particularly for elephants. It was during this expedition that I had the privilege of meeting Roxy, a dedicated conservationist with an unwavering passion. Witnessing Roxy’s rescue of Mutapa, a baby orphaned elephant, left an indelible mark on me. Inspired by this encounter, we established Wild is Life USA, a charitable 501 organisation and remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the remarkable work undertaken by Wild is Life Zimbabwe.”
Bruce Roberts – Co-founder, Wild is Life USA.
Globally recognized composer / songwriter / music publishing executive.
Jos Danckwerts – Conservation Director, Wild is Life Zimbabwe
Conservationist / Project management.
January Gweshe – Head Elephant Handler, Wild is Life Zimbabwe
Exceptional elephant whisperer and handler.
Paradzai Mutize – Senior Elephant Herder, Wild is Life Zimbabwe
Devoted to all animals, especially elephants.
Catherine Jennings – Head of Animal Welfare, Wild is Life Zimbabwe
Dedicated, caring and incredible with animals.
Wild is Life USA is a charitable organisation and fundraising vehicle. We raise funds for Wild is Life Zimbabwe to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-wild orphaned and injured elephants in Zimbabwe. Wild is Life USA is a US501(c)(3) charitable organization. Please consider donating and joining us in making a profound impact on elephant conservation.
Reach us through info(at)wildislifeusa.com
with any comments or questions.
Tax ID # 47-3647012