Defender Trophy: An Epic Adventure Supporting Tusk’s Mission

Where extreme terrain meets extraordinary conservation

Land Rover’s iconic Defender Trophy is back for 2025, but this year’s challenge goes far beyond off-road prowess. While it still celebrates the Defender’s legendary capability in extreme environments, it also carries a powerful mission: supporting wildlife conservation through its ongoing partnership with the charity Tusk.

The Defender Trophy has always been more than a test of grit. It’s an experience designed to push drivers, vehicles, and teamwork to the limit across demanding terrain. But in 2025, every obstacle overcome and every mile conquered directly supports Tusk’s conservation work across Africa.

Tusk supports a network of over 11,500 rangers, working to protect 45 endangered species across 36 million hectares of land. These rangers are on the frontlines of conservation, often operating in challenging and remote environments. The Defender—thanks to its tough, lightweight D7x aluminum architecture—is the perfect companion for such missions, built to thrive where few vehicles can go.

Since 2020, Land Rover’s involvement in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge has helped raise more than $21 million. These funds don’t just keep rangers in the field—they also support local communities through education and healthcare initiatives. And it doesn’t stop at fundraising. Defender vehicles are actively used across conservation landscapes—from transporting rangers and monitoring wildlife to supporting events like the Lewa Safari Marathon in Kenya.

In summary, the Defender Trophy is about connection: connecting people to purpose, vehicles to mission, and adventure to impact. It’s a reminder that bold journeys can serve even bolder goals. With Land Rover and Tusk working side by side, the Defender Trophy becomes more than an event. It becomes a statement—that true capability includes the power to protect what matters most.