Minister pays tribute to game rangers

© Keith Levit – 123RF.com

"The work of a ranger is a diverse and complex one. They have and will continue to lead the way for us in conserving our country's natural wonders. In tribute to all that they do, let us follow in their footsteps, each and every one of us," said the minister.

Minister Molewa and SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni hosted a World Ranger Day commemoration at the Marakele National Park in Limpopo on Saturday, 1 August.

World Ranger Day, marked internationally on 31 July, is a day set aside annually to commemorate rangers all over the world who have died in the course of their duties or who risk their lives daily as they work at the forefront of conservation.

Speaking at the event, Minister Molewa pointed out that the Constitutional provision relating to environmental rights emphasised the protection and regeneration of the environment as an inheritance.

"Like many countries, South Africa faces the challenge of managing its natural endowments in the face of increased environmental degradation.

"The threats are varied, complex and multi-faceted, and range from the threat posed by climate change to the activities of transnational, organised criminal syndicates involved in the illegal trade and trafficking of wildlife. It is our rangers who are at the frontline - whether they are battling wildfires or confronting poachers," Minister Molewa said.

She said World Ranger Day 2015 focused on the work of rangers in combating rhino crime.

Many rangers face a daily battle to protect parts of the country's natural heritage, such as the rhino, abalone and cycads.

"One of Africa's most iconic species, the rhino, is increasingly under threat from the poacher's gun. Rhino populations around the country are vulnerable, as are the rangers who have dedicated their lives to protecting the animals.

"In particularly hard hit areas the ranger corps are being militarised with some rangers engaged in daily confrontations with heavily armed gangs in the parks. Poachers pose a major threat to the rhino population, particularly in the Kruger National Park, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, North West and Mpumalanga," the minister said.

She highlighted the success of the Integrated Strategic Management of Rhinoceros in South Africa which was approved by Cabinet in 2014, pointing out that because of integrated interventions rhino had last been poached in the Marakele National Park nearly two years ago.

"The poachers in that instances were tracked down and arrested by rangers in the Park. We must salute our rangers, not just as government, but as all South Africans."

Mketeni said excellent results have been achieved in the Marakele National Park in combating rhino poaching.

"Rangers work in environments that range from peaceful on one day to confrontation the next, this is a line of work where the ranger stands between the criminal and poacher and the country's heritage," said Mketeni.