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07 March 2007

The Conservation Bug Bites

by Mike Lodge and Binks MacKenzie
Honorary Rangers: West Coast National Park.

Recently, the Junior Honorary Rangers (JHRs) were asked to assist with the annual ostrich (Struthio camelus) relocation program in West Coast National Park. This is a regular feature in the Park as the ostriches multiply prolifically and predation is minimal in the protected Reserve, resulting in an annual surplus of young birds.

The day”s outing is exhausting, but fulfilling fun. The team spots a flock of babies with their attending adults, these are separated from their young by Honorary Rangers (HRs)and Park Field Rangers, and the kids begin leaping around in the fynbos, arms and legs akimbo, and excitedly returning to crate yet another young ostrich. The team was very proud to have been able to provide the much needed agility and “man” power required for this exercise.

After the event, during which ticks, horseflies and other biting midges heavily attacked the children, and realising for the first time the conditions facing Park Rangers in the field, the JHRs decided to purchase insect-repellant and to donate this to their Park colleagues. This was duly arranged, and proudly presented to the Park Manager, Xola Mfeke, and his staff during a small ceremony at the Head Office premises in Langebaan.

The Junior Honorary Rangers from the West Coast Region hold various public fundraising events, such as jumble sales, cake sales and jaffle stands throughout the year and have amassed over R4,000 in this way. These funds pay for their uniforms, stationery and visits to places of interest as well as contributions to the Park, making the Park Field Rangers” jobs easier. The JHR Region is therefore almost entirely self-sustainable, receiving only minimum financial assistance from the HRs.

The West Coast HR Region is so chuffed with the Junior Rangers, and take this opportunity to publicly thank them for their tireless public work and assistance both in the Park and at the many HR events. We are extremely proud of them!