Rangers who put their lives on the line honoured
MEN and women who risk their lives daily, protecting game as well as ensuring the preservation of fauna and flora in the province, were yesterday honoured for their work at the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve in Grahamstown.
About 200 rangers received medals honouring them for their service throughout the year.
Speaking at the celebrations, department for environmental affairs, economic development and tourism (Dedeat) MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said the work of a ranger did not only take place during working hours but at all times.
“Rangers face the most danger when they are at leisure, because that is when poachers may want to strike when they think you have your guard down, either by trying to get information by making small talk, which is why being a ranger is a full-time commitment.
“We appreciate the work done by you, sacrificing your lives for the protection of our wildlife.
“I have noticed that this time around there has been an improvement in our rangers.
“Last year we had large rangers with big bellies whom I questioned if they would be able to catch poachers when they strike – but now I see a younger, fresher, fitter team of rangers mixed with elder, mature rangers who have the experience.”
Somyo said he was to learn that rangers broke the legs of poachers who tried to get into one reserve, “because we need to make an example out of these poachers. “We are very grateful for your commitment. We thank you for your sacrifices and hard work.”
Earlier this year, the national Dedeat released poaching statistics for 2016, which indicated a 10.3% decline in rhino poaching as compared with 2015.
Somyo said the rangers’ efforts to combat poaching had not gone unnoticed, as a total of 680 poachers and traffickers were arrested for rhino-related offences nationally in 2016, almost double from 2015.
The event takes place during a time where rangers around the country mourn the death of South African wildlife conservationist, Wayne Lotter, who died in Tanzania earlier this week.
The 51-year-old expert is believed to have been shot dead by poachers on Tuesday evening, after years of receiving death threats.
Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) chief executive Vuyani Dayimani said the province had made significant arrests.
“The Ndlovu gang that has been linked to at least 92 cases was arrested in Grahamstown in July 2016 and will be on trial for poaching activities at the end of September.
“Further arrests of poachers at Great Fish and East London and the recovery of two rifles have prevented further poaching of animals since two were lost in April and May of 2017.
“The successes have been the results of joint efforts between ECPTA, Dedeat and the SAPS stock theft unit and Hawks and to a main degree the continued vigilance of the field rangers.” — mbalit@dispatch.