Today is World Ranger Day, set aside to celebrate the work rangers do to protect our natural heritage, and to spare a special thought for those that have been injured or killed while carrying out their often dangerous duties. Here at de Wets Wild, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to South Africa’s ranger corps, who look after the special places we so love to visit.
DeWetsWild 
Let us arrange a word of praise for a ranger!
It will not pass unappreciated!
My experience with rangers is limited to the good people who serve in the “tame” state parks here in VA where the chances of encounters with dangerous wildlife are few, comparatively. Still, I am impressed with their knowledge and dedication. The rangers in your neck of the woods take it to a whole new level, I’m sure. Thank you!
I just know the rangers in Virginia are hard-working people who love to share their knowledge about the beautiful places they work in, and the wildlife that lives there with every one they meet Barbara. Rangers are a special breed!
Unfortunately our rangers face a much more critical danger from poachers, mostly armed to the teeth, these days than they do from dangerous animals and other risks associated with the outdoors. We’re quietly confident that they’ll win the war in the end, though. The alternative is too bleak to imagine.
Wretched poachers. Is it true that poachers are at it because of insatiable demand from Asia?
There’s probably 3 main types of “poaching” they have to contend with Barbara.
Demand from Asia for cultural reasons is behind the poaching of elephant, rhinos, big cats, abalone, pangolins, etc. Locally, there’s demand for animal parts for use in “traditional medicine” – notably birds-of-prey and especially vultures.
Then, there’s wildlife trafficking for the pet trade, especially targeting reptilians and amphibians.
And finally, there’s subsistance poaching for the pot, often with snares and hunting dogs that kill indescriminantly. At least this last one is about survival more than profiting from superstition or greed like the rest is.
I appreciate this information. The whole thing is just gut-wrenching, isn’t it? I saw a photograph which I won’t describe here of the remains of a poached elephant which left me in tears.. So upsetting…the waste, the carnage, the reckless destruction. Thank goodness for these rangers!
Thank Goodness indeed! I don’t even want to imagine what we’d have left of our wildlife if it weren’t for their dedication.
I truly admire these guys. SO happy there is a day set aside for them. Pretty good monument to Rangers who have fallen in the line of duty at the Kenyan Wildlife Service headquarters in Nairobi.
It takes courage, passion and determination to do a ranger’s job, often with very little in the way of monetary compensation. The deserve our thanks and support, no question.
I am glad to mention that a monument to our rangers have been unveiled at the Kruger National Park today as part of the World Ranger Day celebrations:
http://www.wildcard.co.za/blog.htm?action=view-post&id=5030
Welcome to de Wets Wild, Brian. Hope we’ll see you around here often.
Thanks for bringing World Ranger Day to my attention. Certainly is an important day.
Our small contribution to thanking the hardworking, dedicated rangers of our country for everything they do and risk on our behalf Rob.
Great post!
PS – I really like your background picture 🙂
Thank you very much! 😀
I like the way you took the photo!
Never heard of World Ranger Day. I appreciate all the works they have done too.
Thank you for the compliment and support, Helen