Sanparks bids farewell to ranger
THERE is always someone behind the scenes looking after the environment and ensuring our biodiversity is preserved. Such a role was undertaken by senior section ranger Hilton Blumeris, who has completed 41years of service at SA National Parks.
Kwazulu-natal residents who visited Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) in Cape Town and encountered Blumeris, would agree that he was warm and welcoming and ensured that visitors felt safe.
Blumeris retired on Tuesday. He started his career in 1980 as a law enforcement officer at TMNP, previously known as Cape Peninsula National Park, in the Silvermine area.
“It’s been an honour and a pleasure to do this work. It hasn’t always been easy. I wish to thank all stakeholders who have been instrumental in my journey as a law enforcement officer,” said Blumeris.
According to Sanparks, Blumeris’s greatest challenges on duty included dealing with an upsurge in criminal activities in the park. TMNP manager Frans van Rooyen said Blumeris was instrumental in fighting crime.
“He developed a sense of pride and belonging while working on the mountain. Table Mountain, being an open access area, proved to be very challenging. The visitor safety unit had to come up with improved measures to ensure that the park users were safe, and that included identifying crime hot spots and doing visible patrols,” Van Rooyen said.
Blumeris said: “It has at times become a thankless and extremely dangerous occupation. Recently we had to deal with armed and dangerous criminals. I have always been grateful for the support we received in these difficult times.”
He went on to become a senior section ranger in 1998 and was entrusted with the duty of monitoring Silvermine for the conservation department there.
He was later moved to the Kloofnek area, and was a ranger in the visitor safety unit until his retirement.
“Blumeris’s enthusiasm, dedication and positive attitude towards his work and to the park is appreciated. His willingness to always assist in achieving positive results will be missed. We wish him a wonderful retirement,” Van Rooyen said.
“He will long be remembered in the field of biodiversity conservation for his expertise, for his immense contribution to the visitor safety unit and law enforcement, and for being part of the numerous forums established over the years in ensuring the safety and security of the mountain users.”