- Tested by experts: New Defender undergoes testing in Kenya with Tusk Trust to support lion conservation initiatives in Africa
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- Tougher than ever: Specially camouflaged Defender prototype was used by wildlife managers to support conservation operations across the 14,000-hectare Borana Conservancy
- Unstoppable capability: New Defender was put to the test towing supplies in support of operations and fording rivers while tracking prides of lion
- Trusted partners: Land Rover has been an official partner of wildlife conservation charity, Tusk Trust, for 15 years and 2019 is its Year of the Lion, to highlight declining lion numbers in Africa
- Captured on film: Watch the new Defender on test: uk.media.landrover.com
Tuesday 4 June 2019, Whitley, UK: The new Land Rover Defender has moved a step closer to production after successfully completing a demanding testing program with Tusk Trust in Kenya, in support of their lion conservation initiatives in Africa.
A prototype Defender fitted with an integrated raised air intake and wearing a unique camouflage, which was specially devised for the surroundings, supported operations at the 14,000-hectare Borana Conservancy, tracking radio collared lions and transporting supplies.
The unique test programme gave Tusk operatives a chance to put the new Defender through a series of real-world tests as wildlife managers forded rivers, pulled heavily loaded trailers and negotiated challenging terrain. The prototype model was even used to help replace the inoperative tracking collar fitted to a male lion, which was sedated at close range from the security of the new Defender.
The Borana Conservancy is home to flat plains, deeply rutted tracks, steep rocky inclines, muddy river banks and thick forests, giving the new Defender a chance to showcase its unrivalled breadth of capability.
New Defender undergoes testing in Kenya
New Defender undergoes testing in Kenya
New Defender undergoes testing in Kenya
We are now in the advanced stages of the new Defender’s testing and development phase. Working with our partners at Tusk in Kenya enabled us to gather valuable performance data. The Borana reserve features a wide range of challenging environments, making it a perfect place to test to the extreme the all-terrain attributes of the new Defender.
Nick Collins
Engineering Vehicle Line Director, Jaguar Land Rover
New Defender undergoes testing in Kenya
Land Rover has been an official partner of Tusk Trust for 15 years and the Defender was put to work at the Borana Conservancy to support its lion conservation program, to highlight the critical situation faced by lions across Africa. Three-quarters of lion populations on the continent are in decline and black and white rhinos now outnumber the big cat in Africa. Fewer than 20,000 lions survive in the wild globally - a figure that has declined from 200,000 over the last century.
This year marks Tusk's Year of the Lion. Our aim is to raise awareness of the alarming decline in lion populations across Africa. Fortunately, within the Borana Conservancy, there are a number of prides of lion and tracking and monitoring their movements across this vast and tough environment is vital in order to protect them and reduce any conflict with neighbouring communities.The new Defender took everything in its stride, from deep river wading to climbing rocky trails.
Charles Mayhew MBE
Chief Executive, Tusk Trust
The overall initiative was supported by Jaguar Land Rover’s worldwide logistical partner and supporter of Tusk, DHL to help celebrate 2019 as Tusk Trust’s Year of the Lion.
The new Land Rover Defender will make its world premiere later this year but you can register your interest early at: Defender Registration Form
