World Rangers Day

Every year, thousands of brave men and women put their lives on the line every day to help protect wildlife so future generations will still be able to experience it.  Today, 31 July, is World Rangers Day, a day where we honour all those who have dedicated their lives to protecting the beauty that is nature, and commemorate those who tragically lost their lives on the front line. 

On this special day, I would just like to reflect on just a couple of the very many rangers who play a major role in conservation. 

Whilst on holiday to Zimbabwe during the June school holidays, I did a rhino tracking walk where my family was led by a ranger as well as a member of the Anti-Poaching unit. Whilst speaking to the ranger, he talked about how his parents were rangers and how he always knew he wanted to become a ranger when he was older due to having grown up in the footsteps of Hwange National Park and experiencing the beauty of the natural wildlife. He has been a ranger for over 30 years, and since becoming married (his wife also being a ranger) and most of his children have become rangers. This is what really stood out to me, his passion was passed down and continues to be passed down to his family, and I think this is quite inspiring and that one should look up to. 

I also spoke with an anti-poaching ranger, who shared some of the very harsh challenges that many other anti-poaching rangers also have to face every day. He told us about the long periods away from his family, whilst he was in the bush keeping an eye on the rhinos and ensuring no poachers were able to hurt this animal. In this park we were in there were various other predators and threats that could have seriously hurt or injured him yet when we asked if he has ever used his gun for protection against animals (ever for a warning shot) he said "No, I have only shot poachers, not animals, we are here to protect animals not hurt them." This quote shows how much he was willing to risk and put on the line to protect the rhinos in that national park. He would not think twice about losing his own life if it meant protecting that of the animals. 

Many rangers have unjustifiably lost their lives over the past year. The Green Line Foundation is an organisation that helps support the families of rangers who died in the line of duty (or as a result of the position- as was the case of Anton Mzimba) If any of you would like to make a donation to this cause, please make sure to check them out here.

I really encourage you to show your support for our rangers by helping to share the occasion online using the #IStandWithTheWorldsRangers online, by donating to the Fall Ranger Fund which the Thin Green Line foundation has set up, or by checking out the list of ideas in the image below.