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27 November 2012

Media Release: SANParks gets 30 new armed field rangers

Antionet van Wyk, SANParks General Manager: Infrastructure & Special Projects, Parks Division said “the main reason for training the Field Rangers is to complement the parks existing staff for area integrity management in various national parks. They will be a support to conservation staff and perform duties that will enable SANParks field rangers to attend to critical functions such as law enforcement.” The programme which started in 2011 creates jobs for unemployed people from communities bordering national parks whilst SANParks is gaining additional capacity to assist with vital conservation activities within these parks.

The keynote address was given by Johan Kruger, Technical Manager Kgalagadi National Park. He said “we are very proud of our new graduates and their eagerness to build on their skills portfolio. We encourage them to be the change that they want to see in our country”s heritage, the National Parks.”

The rangers in Kgalagadi National Park will be guarding the Biodiversity Social Project teams from dangerous animals. They will further assist in guarding tourists at the bush camps from dangerous animals. In Mokala National Park eight of the rangers will be deployed by the Park to assist the existing Field Ranger corps in their day to day patrolling responsibilities. This includes Rhino monitoring posts. The other four will be used to guard Biodiversity Social Project teams from dangerous animals.

The KNP rangers of which 4 are female will be deployed under Scientific Services to assist with monitoring activities related to vegetation and animals. They will also be used as field guards to protect scientists, on their excursions, from dangerous animals. Finally in Addo Elephant National Park the rangers will be used to guard Biodiversity Social Project teams and assist in manning Rhino observation posts.

“The passing-out of these 30 Armed Field Rangers will step up the crime fighting ability against poachers and give invaluable support to the men and women working on the ground,” said Van Wyk.

Issued by:
SANParks

For enquiries:
Gabrielle Venter
SANParks, Manager: Media and Stakeholder Relations.
Tel: 012 462 5065, Cell: 083 825 9435
Email: [email protected]