Not only are they involved in wildlife monitoring and law enforcement, but also in community engagement and conservation management activities like alien plant control, fire management, and game capture; often under extremely hazardous conditions and environments, that expose them to excessive health and safety risks.
In supporting the critical role rangers play, the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), based in the greater Kruger National Park, will again participate in the #WildlifeRangerChallenge to raise awareness and champion the work rangers do.
“Launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 to keep wildlife rangers employed, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge has grown into an annual celebration of solidarity, connection, and camaraderie for the ranger profession.
The rangers participating in the Wildlife Ranger Challenge reflect the great diversity within the sector, with many playing wide-ranging roles as conservationists, teachers, community support workers, and leaders. In the lead-up to race day, which takes place on Saturday, 21 September, ranger teams have been preparing by testing their physical and mental abilities with a series of mini-challenges.
Also read: SAWC wins the Wildlife Rangers Challenge
More than 100 teams of rangers from 24 African nations will compete in a 21km half marathon in their respective protected areas,” Jeanné Poultney, executive manager: of marketing, fundraising, and media relations said.
Seven official teams and five unofficial teams will be participating in the event again being held at the college this year. “The teams include five teams from the Kruger National Parks, one team from the Black Mambas, and one team from the SAWC.
They will be supported by the college’s K9 unit, its aerial support unit, with the ranger instructors and trainee rangers cheering the runners along, as they complete the arduous 21km run, complete with weighted backpacks.
Spearheaded by Tusk Trust, the Wildlife Ranger Challenge unites participants around common goals to raise vital money for frontline conservation efforts. In coordinating this transcontinental, collaborative public fundraising and awareness campaign, Tusk has the goal of raising a total of $3 million for the Ranger Fund.
Also read: Join Africa’s wildlife rangers in this challenge to raise awareness
In addition, founding donor the Scheinberg Relief Fund has also generously committed $1 million in matched funds in support of rangers most in need,” she added. She said that the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA), will again play a critical role as an organisational partner of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge, by providing expert guidance, building networks of wildlife rangers, and advocating for their best interests.
“This year the main calls to action for the public to support some of the world’s leading organisations working to champion wildlife rangers across the African continent, and to speak out for the men and women who risk their lives daily to protect Africa’s iconic wildlife, and ecosystems include joining the conversation and showing your support #ForWildlifeRangers, taking part in the challenge yourself and run in solidarity on September 21 and share your experience on social media with #ForWildlifeRangers@ tusk_org & @ gamerangersassociationofafrica, re-sharing posts from wildlife rangers across Africa as they take on the main event and donating via the SAWC’s Wildlife Ranger Challenge fundraising portal: The Southern African Wildlife College – Wildlife Ranger Challenge 2024,” added Poultney
