By Suzalinur Bidin | MYCAT Assistant Director
Community rangers serve as the frontline defenders in our mission to protect tigers, playing a pivotal role in achieving our ambitious fivefold project impact target (featured). Since 2019, we have engaged local indigenous communities residing near the wildlife corridor and empowered them to safeguard both wildlife and habitat through surveillance patrols.
To meet the target, we recognized the need for additional rangers. Having exhausted suitable candidates from the local communities, we expanded our search to villages in a neighbouring district in the last quarter of 2023. We have so far welcomed 16 new rangers this year, effectively doubling the ranger force. Despite being new to the working environment and adjusting to life away from their families and friends, many exhibit eagerness to learn and contribute.
The scaling up of the ranger force involves regular training and requires constant monitoring. The training covers the operation of Global Positioning System (GPS) handheld devices for navigation and spatial data recording, identification of wildlife footprints, and completion of standardized patrol datasheets. The increased ranger force is supported by two additional field assistants who support in training, managing data, monitoring ranger patrols, and handling administrative duties.
We have initiated an expansion of our protection coverage by conducting frequent overnight patrols in distant areas beyond the core of the corridor, guided by intelligence on wildlife and threats to them. These outstation rangers stay in the forests for up to 7 days away from the ranger's outpost (featured). To further bolster the protective human presence, we are considering establishing moving satellite outposts. Simultaneously, we are maintaining surveillance over past poaching hotspots (featured).
The infusion of additional manpower into our workforce is proving instrumental in advancing toward our targets. With steadfast support from esteemed donors like yourself, we remain confident that our mission, though challenging, is achievable.
By Eric Ian Chan | MYCAT Conservation Officer
By Dr. Kae Kawanishi | Executive Director, WILD
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