The heroic actions of the Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency’s field rangers who risk their lives to protect and preserve the province’s fauna and flora were acknowledged, celebrated, and rewarded. These celebrations took place at the ECPTA’s Thomas Baines Nature Reserve near Grahamstown last month .
The celebrations aligned with World Ranger Day celebrated annually on the 31st of July. The day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges facing environmental challenges the Eastern Cape and the world over face due to various factors that include environmental crimes. It is also a means to acknowledge and thank field rangers who put themselves at risk when protecting ECPTAs reserves and wildlife. Every day these brave men and women put their lives at risk to protect the province’s endangered flora and fauna, tracking and detaining poachers, and monitoring animals, thus preventing wildlife crimes from occurring. All at the face of sometimes armed poachers at the tragic cost to their safety. Often outnumbered and outgunned by the poachers, criminal gangs, and uniformed community members, they soldier on and for this, they deserve respect and admiration.
Chairperson of the Board, Tracey Putzier said it is an honour to acknowledge, celebrate and reward the rangers as they continue to fight, protect and conserve Eastern Cape provincial natural resources.
“Across the world, Rangers are subject to life-threatening encounters as they operate in extreme environments, face risks associated with dangerous game, sickness, community backlash, and the threat of armed poachers and militia groups,” said Putzier.
Putzier continued that “Field Ranger’s Day is important to them as it offers a chance to pay tribute to fallen heroes, and all world rangers for continuously risking their lives to serve and protect. It is also a day on which we re-affirm our commitment and assure that we stand behind rangers.”
According to the Department of Forestry Fisheries and Environment, the demand for rhino horns remains a constant threat to our rhino populations as crime syndicates continue to operate within our South African borders. There has been no rhino poached in the Eastern Cape within the last two years, thanks to continuous collaboration with ECPTA partners, community support and donor efforts on ranger’s capacity building, joint law enforcement operations, and connected conservation strategies. Continuous law enforcement and monitoring efforts with the key stakeholder that include DFFE, DEDEAT, SAPS, Game Rangers Association of Africa, Endangered Wildlife Trust, private rhino owners’ association, farmers association, Wilderness Foundation, Hawks, DPCI, Green scorpions, National Prosecuting Authority and Home Affairs amongst others.
The biggest winner of today’s event is the Mpofu Nature Reserve field ranger, Xoliswa Cola after she scooped the Field Ranger of the Year.
This follows after Cola successfully led a team of rangers to hunt down poachers until they were found in the village not far from the reserve. She assisted clients during the hunting season in tracking animals during the hunting season and risked herself to save clients from Buffalo attack.
“I did not expect this award, for me to receive this award for what I did encourages me to do even better, and it makes me feel appreciated. I am very thankful.”
