South Africa is a country blessed with a rich natural heritage with those who chose to conserve it honoured nationally at 20 national parks yesterday, 31 July – World Ranger Day.

The day, according to the International Ranger Federation (IRF), is marked to commemorate rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the work rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.

The 2024 World Ranger Day theme is ’30 by 30’, drawing attention to the direct and tangible actions rangers take every day to reach the global 30 by 30 targets as set out by the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). The 30 by 30 is calling for the effective protection and management of 30% of the world’s land, fresh waters, and oceans by the year 2030.

Rangers, according to SANParks Head of Communication (HoC) JP Louw, are and will remain “critical” in making this reality.

The national conservation agency has a mandate to conserve South Africa’s biodiversity, landscapes, and associated heritage assets through a system of national parks. This responsibility is fulfilled through rangers. They are a shining example of the commitment and passion SANParks personnel possess, a statement has it.

“Were it not for these brave men and women who risk their lives daily to protect species in our natural world, many species would face extinction.

“In South Africa, rangers encounter poaching and other wildlife crime almost daily as they battle to end decimation of species, ranging from poaching rhino and abalone to illegal removal of plants such as cycads. Most of the ranger corps duties focus on anti-poaching operations due to the extent of wildlife crime. SANParks rangers undergo extensive training supported by canine units, light aircraft, as well as sophisticated technology as part of its anti-poaching operations.”

Apart from Kruger, Ranger Day was commemorated at the Augrabies Falls, Namaqua, |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld and Kgalagadi national parks in the arid region; Table Mountain, Agulhas, West Coast, Tankwa Karoo and Bontebok in the Cape region; Addo Elephant, Camdeboo, Karoo and Mountain Zebra in the frontier region; Marakele, Mapungubwe and Golden Gate Highlands (northern region) and Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Wilderness, all part of the Garden Route National Park.

Ranger Day celebrations were, however, marred by revelations that SANParks had arrested a field ranger in the Kruger National Park for the theft of an official firearm and ammunition on 31 July.

“During June 2024, it was discovered that a firearm had been stolen from one of the sections and an investigation was immediately initiated. Information was received that an employee participated in the theft. A multi-disciplinary team of investigators from the South African Police Service Stock Theft & Endangered Species Unit (STES), SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit (ECI) and Vispol, followed up on the information,” SANParks said in a statement.

“An enquiry yesterday led to the field ranger being brought in for an interview after which he took the investigators to his father’s house; wherein they recovered a firearm, ammunition, a silencer and a magazine. The suspect was then arrested and taken into custody. An internal disciplinary hearing is underway and details of his court appearance will be communicated,” SANParks concluded.