Rangers observe solemn day in Kruger and other parts
Two fallen rangers were remembered on World Ranger Day, one was a field ranger and dog handler in the Kruger National Park, while the other was the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve's head of ranger services.
Mere days before fallen rangers were remembered on World Ranger Day, another name was added to the list.
Timbavati Private Nature Reserve’s head of ranger services, Anton Mzimba, was killed outside his home on July 26.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment said its Green Scorpions stand ready to work with the police to arrest Mzimba’s murderers. He was highly regarded by all, and tributes came pouring in from all over.
The department’s minister, Barbara Creecy, said she would like to pay a special tribute to Mzimba. “Anton dedicated his life to conservation and the promotion of sound relations between conservation authorities and communities living on the outskirts of protected areas. I take this opportunity to salute his personal courage and the commitment with which he tackled his responsibilities. I will also be sending my sincere condolences to his wife and family.”
Mzimba had 24 years’ experience as a field ranger and was the winner of the Field Ranger of the Year award at the annual Rhino Awards in 2016. He was a key member of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Forum. It said his murder highlights the dangers rangers face daily protecting our country’s wildlife.
Mzimba had spoken passionately about these struggles. “Our duty now is to pick up ranger Mzimba’s fallen spear and continue the battle in his name. There is no greater tribute we can pay to this man who made the supreme sacrifice for the conservation of our endangered species,” Creecy said.
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The KNP paid tribute to its rangers on July 29 at the Kruger Gate through a ceremonial event. The park said it was a day to pause and reflect on the courage and sacrifice that rangers make. “On this day, we honour fallen rangers and stand with the people bravely protecting wildlife on the frontline of conservation worldwide.”
The highlight of the ceremony was a tribute to a late field ranger and dog handler, Shando Mathebula, who died in the line of duty in the Shangoni Ranger Section on May 4.
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He was remembered as a young man who was dedicated to his profession and who served with discipline and distinction.
“The work of a ranger is diverse and complex. Our responsibility as management is to continue to encourage them as they lead the way for all of us in conserving our country’s protected and conserved areas, cultural sites and biodiversity. Without them, we would see more biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Many rangers also protect the resources of people whose lives and cultures are inseparable from nature,” said the KNP’s head ranger, Cathy Dreyer.
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Activities on the day included a rangers’ drill, a guard of honour, a wreath-laying ceremony, the unveiling of Shando Mathebula’s plaque, and a keynote address by the KNP’s managing executive, Gareth Coleman.
“Rangers deserve not only our admiration and acknowledgement, but our undivided support as they continue to protect our natural heritage assets. We also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the spouses and families of all our rangers for the sacrifice they all make on a daily basis with the knowledge that their partners’ lives might be lost due to the threats that come with the responsibility of dealing with wildlife crime,” Dreyer concluded.
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