“May the roar of the African Lion be heard by the children of our children’s children and forever.” – Game Rangers Association of Africa

On Sunday, 4 August 2013, the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA) is hosting a celebration in honour of World Ranger Day at the Jo’burg Zoo.  This fun-filled family event will give the public a chance to meet some of the brave game rangers and hear stories about the work that they do. Game rangers and curators will be at the different cages, ready to teach you more about the animals’ different habits and about their protection in the wild and in captivity. There will also be representatives from SA Wildlife College and TUT giving information to anyone who is interested in game ranging as a career.  So pack a picnic basket or grab something from one of the food stalls, and enjoy a relaxing day in the leafy surrounds.

Rangers, or game rangers as we know them in South Africa, are at the frontline of protecting our natural heritage for generations to come.  Their work is often dangerous, difficult, unappreciated, unrecognized, and unknown.  Game rangers spend hours in the bush, far away from the public eye, working for self-satisfaction rather than the limelight. They dedicate their lives to protect what is not theirs, but ours.  To celebrate their worthy efforts, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared 31 July as Annual World Rangers Day, and it has been celebrated as such since 2007.

Many game rangers lose their lives in their dedication to their work.  Some by disease that is fatal in remote areas; some by the feet, claws, or teeth of the animals they try to protect; but an alarmingly high number of rangers die by the hands of the most dangerous of species – humans!  Armed battles between rangers and poachers are increasingly common in South Africa due to rhino poaching. But further north, in our neighbouring countries, this has been a daily occurrence for many years.  More often than not, game rangers are ill equipped to deal with the onslaught of armed poachers.  There are many reasons for this, but probably the most obvious one is the lack of public, financial, and political support.  Game rangers are trained to work with nature, but often end up having to fight soldiers, which is what many armed poachers are.

Despite the great satisfaction they get from their work, the hardships endured by rangers affect their families and friends as well.  Many days go by where children don’t see their parents, spouses don’t know if their partners are safe, and there is no knowing if or when the rangers will return. Families of rangers always say goodbye knowing that it may be their last.  And far too often it is.  Too many families in Africa are living without a breadwinner and a loved one, because they died trying to protect something for our children. World Ranger Day is not only about exposing the game ranger’s life to the public, but also to appreciate, recognize, and remember those brave men and women that dedicate their lives for our heritage.

Event details

When: 4 August 2013, from 11am (Zoo gates open at 9am)

Where: Jo’burg Zoo, corner of Jan Smuts Avenue and Upper Park Drive, Parkview, Johannesburg

Tickets: R58 for adults and R36 for children (standard Zoo entry fees).Tickets ONLY available through Webtickets. No tickets will be available at the gate.

How will you celebrate World Ranger Day?

Images courtesy of Johannesburg Zoo, thomas_sly, and Mister-E