Vusumuzi Dube
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
ZIMBABWE on Wednesday joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Ranger Day with various stakeholders reflecting and celebrating what they describe as the first line of defense and the best resource in fighting wildlife crime and protecting some of the world’s most iconic and endangered species.
The theme of this year’s Ranger Day is ’30 by 30′, based on the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15).
With the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) regrettably advising that due to unavoidable circumstances, the World Ranger Day Commemoration which was scheduled for Wednesday at Matobo National Park had been postponed to a future date which will be communicated in due course, the authority however reiterated the need to celebrate the brave men and women who protect the country’s wildlife.
Zimparks Head of Communications Mr Tinashe Farawo said for years, rangers across the globe have been at the mercy of poachers and more needs to be done to ensure their security and survival while on duty.
“The World Rangers Day is also to celebrate the successes of conservation in the country and the world in general.
“While rangers spend 21 days on extended patrol in protection of the country’s most priced asset, it is important to spare a thought for the gallant sons and daughters of the country who put their lives on the line, risk limb and life to look after our elephants,” said Mr Farawo.
He said the global recognition that the country’s elephants are not threatened with extinction clearly shows without doubt that they are in good hands and it is important that these men and women who have done so well to protect the wildlife are equipped and well resourced.
“It is not a secret that the biggest threat to the survival of our wildlife is loss of habitat which is mainly caused by the overpopulation of wild animals and poaching although the latter is being fought by these dedicated rangers,” said Mr Farawo.
Mr Farawo also highlighted some of the sad incidents which include two rangers who were killed in the Kariba Dam by suspected poachers in 2019, one Mr Herbert Chimeramombe who was bitten to death by a snake while on duty in the Nyamaneche area in 2006 before Kedha Nkoka was attacked and killed by a buffalo while on patrol in Sengwa the following year.
While these few sad cases are a tip of the iceberg, Mr Farawo said they are a clear illustration of the dangers associated with being a Zimparks ranger.
Meanwhile, ZimParks rangers has received immense support from various partners in their conservation efforts.
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Southern region communications officer Mr Luckmore Safuli said as the guardians of wildlife and the landscapes they inhabit, rangers are our best resource in fighting wildlife crime and protecting some of the world’s most iconic and endangered species which is why they have dedicated much of their time and resources to supporting wildlife rangers.
“Over the past five years, IFAW has supported the ZimParks rangers, helping supply uniforms, patrol vehicles, equipment, training, food rations, and incentives, all of which have greatly improved ranger morale.
“We also supported the construction of a state-of-the-art Makona ranger base in the southern part of the park with much better living conditions than the rangers previously experienced. We are proud that our efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in poaching cases in and around Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest national park,” said Mr Safuli.
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