In line with the 30X30 targets set by the UN, the Head of the International Ranger Federation, Chris Galliers, says that preserving ‘effectively conserved areas can only happen with the support of rangers. That is why we have chosen this theme for this year’s World Ranger Day’.
Wildlife rangers are fundamental to achieving the primary goal of the UN’s Global Framework for Managing Nature Through 2030, a recent study by the Society for Conservation Biology has found.
Yet, many rangers still perform their duties in difficult conditions and with limited resources.
A global survey carried out in 2019, interviewing 7,100 rangers across 28 countries globally, revealed that many of the issues they face start early, with the training they receive being largely inadequate to prepare them for the realities of their job.
Concerningly, poor medical treatment was most frequently cited by the majority of rangers as a key issue. While infectious diseases such as malaria were contracted by 31% of those working in the field in the 12 months prior to the launch of the study, a mere 32% of those surveyed stated they ‘often’ or ‘always’ had access to mosquito nets at outposts.
What is more, the availability of clean drinking water at these locations scored an abysmal 51% and even lower during active patrolling.
Inadequacy or non-availability of essential equipment is another challenge that puts rangers at risk.
In addition to these poor working conditions, the roles that rangers play are often misunderstood, and the media-perpetuated image does not always match reality. Repeatedly, they are seen as just a man with a gun chasing poachers or law enforcement officers. But they are so much more than that.
As guardians of the natural world, wildlife rangers encourage community development, nature-based tourism, and education, whilst also preserving biodiversity and local security, and safeguarding ecosystems, cultural heritage, and peoples’ rights. They also support communities directly. As an example, many rangers intervene in human-wildlife conflict situations to protect lives and livelihoods.
There is an increasingly urgent need for greater professionalisation and accountability as well as recognition of their expanding role in the delivery of conservation and sustainable development policies. This has become even more critical with the agreement of the new global biodiversity framework.
Research suggests that currently there are about 286,000 state rangers deployed across terrestrial areas worldwide, which falls short of what is required. It is projected that a staggering 1.5 million rangers will be indispensable to successfully safeguard 30% of the Earth’s surface by 2030.
The poor working conditions along with the low number of rangers is a major setback in achieving global conservation and sustainable development targets effectively and equitably.
Tusk is getting ahead of the curve, with campaigns such as the Wildlife Ranger Challenge (WRC) helping to plug the gap by generating crucial funding to widen access to essential equipment, enhanced training and protective measures. To date, the WRC has raised over $16 million supporting approximately 9,000 rangers across 24 African countries having only been launched in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The initiative will culminate this year on 16th September 2023, in a coordinated 21km race run by more than 100 ranger teams spanning the diverse and varied terrains of Africa’s protected areas whilst carrying 22kg of kit.
To support the goal of supporting the rangering profession, Mark Scheinberg and the Scheinberg Relief Fund, the Challenge’s founding donor, has generously committed $1 million in match-funding in support of rangers most in need.
Ultimately, the WRC has become an important fixture in the ranger calendar and continues to give rangers hope as they work to achieve a common goal. Initiatives such as these are what makes the ambitious UN goals achievable.
Rangers play a vital role in safeguarding the core ecosystems of our planet, which are crucial for sustaining all life forms. As we celebrate World Ranger Day today, we need to remember to prioritise protecting and supporting the custodians of our earth.
