Fallen Rangers Remember and Honor the #WorldRangerDay



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For some, they are sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers and sisters – they are the rangers who protect the continent's fauna from poachers

remember those brave men, when World Ranger Day is celebrated around the world in honor of the rangers killed or wounded in the performance of their duties and to celebrate the work that they do for protect the natural treasures and cultural heritage of the planet.

In Respect Mathebula being killed by poachers in Kruger National Park for over 50 years.

He was seriously injured on July 19, during a shootout with the alleged poaching group and died en route to the hospital.

track down alleged poachers, supported by the canine unit. The skirmish took place when the rangers pursued the so-called poachers

Mathebula was based in the Crocodile Bridge section of the Kruger Minister of Environmental Affairs Edna Molewa said that he was one of hundreds of forest rangers who had to take up arms in the line of duty. while the work of forest rangers became more militarized to deal with the plague of poaching

July 7, 2018 – Kruger National Park. KNP Executive Director Glenn Phillips holds the horn removed from a male rhinoceros during a re-location process. Photo: Karen Sandison / ANA

"Respect [Mathebula] was one of those men who spent days in the veld, patrolling selected areas to flush out poachers and ensure that they were safe." No animals or plants were wounded

areas affected, the guards corps was militarized, with a few rangers engaged in daily clashes with heavily armed gangs in the parks.The poachers pose a major threat to the population of rhinoceros, especially in Kruger National Park, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Northwest and Mpumalanga, "said Molewa

. go from peaceful one day to confrontational the next. It's a line of work where the ranger stands between the criminal and the poacher and the country's legacy. "

The death of Mathebula in the hands of so-called rhinoceros poachers is an indication of the seriousness of the daily threat, but the high number of deaths among African rangers also testifies to the lack of support and resources that are a daily reality for many of them

In some parts of the continent, they work without adequate equipment, without adequate training,

Teams that protect wildlife from poachers need the support of their employers and governments, politicians, law enforcement agencies and judicial systems.They also need the support of industries that depend on the existence of protected areas, conservation and natural resources such as tourism, hunting and the sector of environmental NGOs in constant growth.

7 July 2018: Kruger National Park – Vehicles make their way seen where a rhinoceros was launched for dehorning and relocation. Photo: Karen Sandison / ANA

And they need the support of communities, industries and the public who benefit from the social, economic and ecosystem services provided by rangers' protected areas. Until this changes and the world unites behind the rangers, the bloodshed will continue.

In the past 12 months alone, at least 63 rangers in Africa have died for work-related reasons. This total raises to more than 107 dead rangers around the world according to the International Rangers Foundation (IRF), during the same period. Many guards' deaths are unreported, so it is thought that the actual figure could be two to three times higher.

According to the official figures of the IRF, more than 200 guards have died in the performance of their duties during the past six years. Chris Galliers, president of the African Rangers Association (GRAA), says that 269 rangers have died since 2012. At least 176 rangers were shot dead by militia groups, unknown or armed assailants. Four died as a result of accidental shootings, 21 died in animal-related incidents, 23 were victims of road accidents, seven others drowned and nine died due to an illness . "These deaths are the result of a brutal competition to illegally plunder Africa's rich natural resources, whether it's minerals, timber or wildlife products such as ivory, rhinoceros horn and bush meat ". He says:

July 7, 2018: Kruger National Park – A rhino that has been launched is being shelled. Photo: Karen Sandison / ANA

Rangers have been trampled, scratched and attacked by dangerous wild animals that they seek to protect or have died as a result of preventable, often poorly treated diseases due inadequate medical support.

were also killed in avoidable situations such as accidental shootings or drowning. The plane, car and motorcycle accidents cost the lives of other people.
According to the IRF, political instability and conflict have caused 57 of these violent deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo alone.

rangers were killed, Nigeria, 15, Cameroon, 10, Uganda, 10, Mali, eight and South Africa, eight. These seven countries account for nearly 80% of all recorded guard murders. Professional associations unfortunately say that many other deaths are not reported.

The Africa Game Rangers Association (GRAA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1970 that provides support, networks and representation to rangers in Africa. ] GRAA is a member of the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

She recognized chapters in Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia. ] Today, we celebrate the rangers and thank them for the heroic work they do. We recognize the psychological stress and challenges they face as a result of the illegal wildlife trade. @SANParks #WorldRangerDay pic.twitter.com/sAdrseSPnd

– WWF South Africa (@WWFSouthAfrica) July 31, 2018

Author: ANA Wire of discussion

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