SANParks recruitment drive a success
The recruitment drive saw young and old sign up to become Honorary Rangers in a bid to conserve and protect nature and endangered animals.
A recruitment drive by the South African National Parks (SANParks) Honorary Rangers which took place at the PicknPay shopping complex in Wilro Park on October 21 saw many interested in advocating for the conservation of nature.
The West Rand Honorary Rangers are one of 36 regions in the country that are dedicated to conserving and protecting endangered species such as rhinos, lions, and fish eagles and held this recruitment drive as part of their mandate to connect society to a sustainable national park system.
According to Ella Roberts, they are working in all the national parks to conserve and protect whatever is natural and they do this voluntarily.
“We have a very big passion for conservation, especially as our rhinos are being killed as we want to conserve them for the next generation so that they [the next generation] do not just see photos of this beautiful wildlife,” she said.
The plight is that a lot of animals are being killed for various reasons including most commonly, for traditional reasons and this is a challenge as it disrupts the natural flow of the ecosystem.
The People’s Educational Awareness Project aims to create awareness and education around the issue of conservation and vows to market the ideals of the Honorary Rangers to the public.
“We started with juniors from 12 years onwards who will participate in a five-year programme, which is made up of five phases, and by the end, they are more or less 18 years, then they are ready to become HRs,” she said.
The impact of this campaign was huge as six people had already signed up in a space of 30 minutes.
