NAIROBI, Kenya – Ranger and community work to prevent wildlife crime is difficult and frequently fatal, as poachers have become more militarised and integrated into global criminal networks.
There have been over 1300 ranger deaths on the job in the last ten years alone, and 140 ranger deaths are believed to have occurred this year in 37 different countries while protecting wildlife.
Due to the distant nature of their profession, there are concerns that many ranger deaths go unreported and unrecorded. These deaths only account for those reported through the International Ranger Federation’s (IRF) network.
Kenya joins the rest of the world to mark World Ranger Day 2024 today, Wednesday, July 31. To showcase the arduous work of wildlife rangers, a two-month series of extreme fitness challenges will be launched during the celebrations.
The theme of World Ranger Day 2024 is’ 30 by 30’—now, more than ever, we need to draw attention to the direct and tangible actions that rangers take daily to reach our global 30 by 30 targets, as set out by the Convention on Biological Diversity.
This theme will also be the core focus of the World Ranger Congress in October 2024.
What is the significance of the fitness challenge
Meanwhile, the fitness challenge Y News understands seeks to raise millions of dollars to conserve Africa’s natural landscapes.
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge connects over 170 teams from 24 African countries and symbolises the growing global solidarity movement with the wildlife ranger profession.
Teams participate in mental and physical challenges culminating in a multi-nation half-marathon on September 21, 2024, across some of Africa’s most remote and beautiful landscapes.
The Challenge is organised by Tusk and the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA), with support from the Scheinberg Relief Fund, the founding donor.
The fitness challenge launched in 2020 has already raised over $18.5 million (Sh 2.4 billion) to support more than 13,300 wildlife rangers who protect more than 60 million hectares across Africa – an area larger than Kenya.
Africa’s wildlife rangers are tasked with the daunting role of protecting species and endangered ecosystems. They endure harsh conditions, long hours, and immense risks while facing underfunding, threats, and challenging working environments.
What experts think about African wildlife rangers
When reached for comment, Precious Malapane, Operations Manager, K9 Unit Ranger and Dog Trainer of Southern African Wildlife College, said:
“The Wildlife Ranger Challenge is about honouring rangers who work as nature’s eyes and ears. The more funds raised through WRC, the more boots on the ground there will be to protect the natural world. We must ensure the protection of wildlife for future generations.”
Precious says she doesn’t want her children to know about rhinos and other wild animals from photographs.
“They must see them alive, free and walking on the savanna.”
Precious observed that the cornerstone of a ranger’s role is liaison with local communities.
“Rangers act as diplomats, educators, intermediaries, and peacekeepers, educating local people about the broad benefits of wildlife conservation and encouraging them to live peacefully alongside endangered wildlife,” Precious explained.
On his part, Charlie Mayhew OBE, Founder and President of Tusk, said:
“We all know this is a critical time in the story of life on Earth. In less than 50 years, we have lost nearly 70% of the planet’s mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. This loss of nature and biodiversity profoundly affects us all: we depend on it for survival.”
How African wildlife rangers can help avoid loss of nature
According to Charlie, one pragmatic strategy to help halt the loss of nature is to fully recognise, respect, and invest in the vital work of wildlife rangers: thousands of brave men and women guard vast areas of the planet’s land and water.
“Despite the vital nature of their varied work with wildlife and people, the wildlife ranger profession is not fully understood. To be a ranger in Africa is to carry out hazardous and sometimes life-threatening work,” Charlie explained.
He observed that rangers face threats to life from armed poachers and illegal wildlife trafficking networks, as well as attacks from predatory animals: violence, injury, disease and death are not uncommon in the line of duty.
“Rangers endure tropical diseases, dehydration, bushfires and the isolating effects of long periods away from home. There is also a critical lack of insurance cover for rangers and their families: 50 pc of Rangers have no life insurance,” Charlie lamented.
According to Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer of GRAA:
“Despite the risks they take and the priceless value of their contribution to conservation, Africa’s wildlife rangers are often undervalued, under-resourced, underpaid and under-equipped. They frequently experience poor working conditions,” Andrew noted.
Some of the challenges African wildlife rangers face
Andrew reiterated that long hours, inadequate training, and lack of essential equipment such as first aid kits, boots, radios, tents, and vehicles are all too standard among African wildlife rangers.
“To protect the planet’s remaining biodiversity, we must fully recognise that wildlife rangers are key conservation workers and are integral to urgent global efforts to maintain the world’s ecological balance,” he explained.
Y News understands that the Wildlife Ranger Challenge has become a lifeline for Africa’s Rangers.
It raises vital matched funds that help to improve working conditions and provide professional training and field equipment.
Nick Bubb, CEO of Tusk, said:
“The internationally agreed biodiversity plan of 30×30 would require a huge increase in the number of employed wildlife rangers needed to achieve climate mitigation and biodiversity goals. Focused events such as the WRC allow Ranger teams to unlock much-needed grants and galvanise international support for the profession.”
What are the effects of wildfires on Kenyan wildlife
Tabitha Ndombolo Mjala, a game warden at the Kasigau Wildlife Conservancy, told Y News that part of their work involves addressing fire breaks in the conservancies.
“This leads to the death and migration of our wildlife. Some move to Tanzania, Maasai Mara, and even to the North Rift,” she said.
She disclosed that the last wildfire occurred before the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said, “It started in Kwale and spread to Taita Taveta County, Amboseli, and Northern Kenya. It destroyed thousands of acres of land.”
Mjala’s experience highlights the many life-threatening risks African Rangers face in their fieldwork and why it is essential to ensure they are appropriately trained and resourced to face these risks.
