Speaking at one of the celebration events, SANParks board chairperson, Pam Yako, said it was important to recognise the contribution of rangers who devote their lives and time to protecting “inheritance and heritage for present and future generations”. “These are beacons of environmental stewardship. They inspire the world with innovative conservation practices,” said Yarko.

“It is for that reason that their contribution to wildlife conservation should be celebrated,” she said. According to Yako, a total of 148 rangers around the world lost their lives during a period between June 2022 to May 2023. Their deaths came from various causes ranging from animal attacks, death in service, homicide, and occupational and vehicle accidents.

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“In Africa alone, we have lost 65 rangers and today we want to pay a special tribute to those men and women of honour,” she continued.She said South Africa was battling threats against its fauna and flora on many fronts. This ranges from the poaching of animals for various reasons, to the illegal harvesting of plants and fish. Yako said this resulted in much of the ranger corps duties being focused on antipoaching activities leaving other operational requirements behind.

Despite this, Yako admitted that the poaching of wildlife continues unabated in many parts of the country. She said it would be unfair for the general public to focus on the rising figures of animals being poached forgetting the lives of rangers that were lost in the protection of these animals. “If it were not for the efforts of these rangers, the picture we are currently seeing in Kruger National Park would be much more tragic and desperate than it currently is.

“Therefore, I would like to pay a special tribute to our departed rangers for dedicating their lives while protecting our wildlife,” she said. Anyone who wishes to support the rangers can do so through SANParks Honorary Rang