Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube
TWENTY rangers from Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) took part at the just-ended Econet Victoria Falls Marathon with facilitation from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw).
The two wildlife authorities have a running 25-year partnership whose objective is to promote sustainable conservation through various activities.
This was the third year running when Ifaw facilitated rangers to partake in the annual event to motivate rangers and make sure they stay fit, united and healthy to execute their duties.
Ifaw communications officer Mr Luckmore Safuli said the initiative is aimed at raising awareness and rallying support for collective action on protecting wildlife and demonstrating that the rangers are mentally and physically fit to take care of the natural resources.
“For the third year running, ZimParks and IFAW fielded a team of more than 20 wildlife rangers at the annual sporting event. This was all to raise awareness and rally support for collective action in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage.
“We are excited that the wildlife rangers’ athleticism, bravery and dedication were again on display as more than 20 rangers took to the starting point to tackle the gruelling 21km half marathon at the 2024 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon.
“By participating in the marathon, these courageous men and women entrusted with safeguarding Zimbabwe’s wildlife heritage aimed to spread the message and motivate other citizens to join in the efforts to conserve the nation’s valuable natural heritage.
“As Ifaw and Zimparks, we believe rangers are unsung heroes who make daily sacrifices to safeguard wildlife resources for future generations. We should salute them for their dedication and vital role. Seeing so many people cheering on the team during the event was inspiring,” said Mr Safuli.
He said by participating in the marathon the rangers showed keenness to amplify the message of preserving the country’s natural heritage.
He said Ifaw was proud to have been at the sporting event whose other objective is to promote environmental management as part of the marathon proceeds go towards conservation in surrounding communities.
“They work in challenging environments so sport is a way of showing strength and brevity. For us ranger welfare is the front and center of what we do. Without trained rangers all efforts to stop the destruction of the environment and poaching will not yield desired results,” he said.
This comes as the country is preparing to join the rest of the world in commemorating World Ranger Day which falls annually on 31 July.
Through the partnership with Zimparks, Ifaw has done several projects including the completed Makona Camp in the Hwange National Parks where there is a new ranger base.
Recently Ifaw and Zimparks trained 14 community guardians from Tsholotsho, Lupane and Hwange districts to equip them with skills to better manage human-wildlife conflict.
The global non-profit organisation that helps animals and people to thrive together, has also capacitated rangers with training, equipment, patrol vehicles and food rations among other interventions.
To show the importance of rangers, Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area member states launched the Sadc Training Facility and Programmes for Wildlife Rangers and TFCA Managers as a strategy to enhance wildlife management and law enforcement.
The launch was done in May at the 2024 Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (Kaza TFCA) Heads of State Summit in Livingstone, Zambia.
The training initiative is a regional programme to support needs-driven, workplace-related training for wildlife and TCFA managers in specific conservation areas for transboundary conservation management.
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