Wildlife Rangers

Thank you for your continued support of rangers on the frontline of conservation across Africa and Asia. We are pleased to share with you some key highlights and statistics from our supported rangers the past six months:

• 11,582 kilometers patrolled by rangers in Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam, resulting in 30 arrests, removal of 453 traps, and the dismantlement of 62 illegal poaching camps.
• 8,259 km of foot patrols in Russia, with a further 161,946 km travelled by motorised patrols. 201 violations were recorded, and five poachers arrested.
• 15,446 kilometres patrolled by rangers in Zimbabwe protecting painted dogs.
• Over 20,000 kilometres covered by special anti-poaching units in Zambia, resulting in 35 arrests and the seizure of 12 illegal firearms and 212 kg of illegal bushmeat.
• 30,453 kilometers covered on foot by rangers in northern Namibia, a new record.

Zimbabwe focus 

The last six months have been extremely challenging for our ground-based conservation partners in Zimbabwe due to the escalating costs of operations due to large increases in fuel prices and the costs of commodities, including rations for the rangers. This is forcing them to ration fuel, which negatively impacts operations and patrols.

However, with DSWF’s continued support our partners have not yet had to reduce their activities. Poaching trends have remained about constant in the past six months. 16 rangers supported by DSWF over the past six month have been able to meet their patrol targets, patrolling for a total of 5,464 hours and covering a total of 15,446 kilometres.

The work of the professional Anti-poaching unit has been bolstered by a beneficial and successful collaboration with several community anti-poaching units, most notably the Mabale Community Anti-Poaching Unit. The relationship with this community group arose out of the need for increased ranger presence during the worst of the pandemic but it has continued since. The stipend the community unit receive significantly boosts the local economy at a time when opportunities are still scarce because of the impacts of the pandemic.

Having seen the success of the Mabala unit, many nearby communities are replicating their efforts and making their villages safer for livestock and wildlife. These are communities living on the edge of Hwange National Park who battle with wildlife co-existence challenges on an almost daily basis, so is very encouraging to see such positive community engagement. In addition, other communities are starting to show interest in setting up a voluntary community anti-poaching units of their own.

Namibia focus

The continued outstanding efforts of our ground-based partners on the ground in Namibia mean that it is now 28 months since a rhino has been poached in the area that they protect. This is a huge achievement and has contributed to an 80% drop in poaching in the last five years compared to the previous five.

However, despite the successes of the last six months and beyond, it is becoming increasingly challenging for our teams to maintain such a strong ranger presence. Fuel and field ration costs have increased significantly due to the global cost of living crisis, placing considerable strain on resources on top of regular vehicle challenges and breakdowns as the old vehicles currently in use increasingly struggle to cross the harsh terrain in the region.

With DSWF’s long term and reliable support for anti-poaching our partners have remained able to sustain ranger patrols in the last six months. Team field days, ranger field days, and foot kilometers have all increased and ranger field days are now over 1,000 a month for the first time. The biggest increase has been in patrol kilometers which reports show have increased by over 10,000km in the last six-month period. In addition, the mounted unit who patrol on Mules are now fully active and are conducting regular patrols into specific hard to access areas. Due to the ongoing and constant presence of rangers in the field this providing a large deterrent to would-be poachers. Funding from DSWF is used to keep rangers employed, supported, and equipped in the field thereby your support is hugely contributing to the success currently playing out in the region.

Stay up to date with our work and how your generous support is making a difference, receive exciting wildlife conservation stories and hear about forthcoming campaigns, fundraising initiatives and events: Stay In Touch

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) has been supporting wildlife rangers in Africa and Asia for over thirty years. Their tireless efforts are a testament to the success of our ground-based conservation partners who provide unwavering operational, training and welfare support. 

In the past year we have seen an increase in protection to endangered wildlife due to the exceptional work of Rangers on the ground. Through DSWF funding our ground-based conservation partners have been able to increase the number of boots on the ground, provide vital kit, technology, and supplies, improve transport and communications as well as providing enhanced training. Due to this we have seen the following impacts from our ground-based conservation partners:

Namibia

Save The Rhino Trust continue to provide equipment, rations, and incentives such as sighting bonuses and field day allowances to over 60 rhino rangers.41 Rhino Rangers in north-western Namibia were also honoured at the Annual Kunene Rhino Awards. Rangers were recognised for their tireless work to protect Namibia’s free ranging black rhino.48,588 kilometres were covered by the rangers across areas protecting specially desert adapted black rhinos in Namibia in the past year, an all-time record.This year our partners also officially launched a new Ranger Welfare Programme which included providing basic first aid training to 71 rangers including individual first aid kits to each ranger.

India

In Assam, law enforcement efforts are boosted by ground-based conservation partner Aranyak’s K9 sniffer dogs, supported by DSWF. Along with their handlers, the dogs have covered around 1,275km in the last year, providing support to rhino and tiger protection patrols within the protected areas and leading to the apprehension and arrest of 21 poachers in the last six months. However, poaching remains a challenge in the area with increasingly professionalized poaching outfits operate in the region.

Mongolia

The Snow Leopard Trust’s program supports seven community rangers who patrolled a total of 5,750 kilometres on foot and a further 12,500 kilometres on motorcycles within Tost Nature Reserve in the last reporting yearall in preservation of vital snow leopard populations whose numbers remain stable with a healthy breeding population in the region.

Zimbabwe

In and around the Hwange National Park, anti-poaching units have exceeded expectations managing 53 patrols a month against a target of 40 and covering 16,000 kilometres on foot, removing over 5,300 snares and saving the lives of at least 500 animals including the endangered painted dog. This is based on conservative estimates that approximately 10% of snares placed in the bush result in the killing of wildlife.28 poachers were arrested and prosecuted.

Vietnam

22,637 kilometres were patrolled, 171 poachers were apprehended, 1,900 traps removed, and 176 hunter’s camps were shut down in Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam, home to pangolins, elephants, and many other endangered species. Alongside this the installation of 12 Poacher Cams has helped with the identification and arrest of suspects involved in the illegal wildlife trade including11 poachers being arrested and a further 12 being fined.

Zambia

Game Rangers International’s (GRI), rangers covered 38,575 kilometres on foot in and around the Kafue National Park, home to elephants and other endangered wildlife. 69 suspects were apprehended, and 54 prosecutions were made. In addition, aerial surveillance has enhanced patrols which has vastly increased GRI’s ability to provide a secure environment for the release elephants, the wild elephants and other key species. The plane has allowed the ability to access, at least visually, areas of the National Park which were previously inaccessible due to high water levels, which has been invaluable to operations.

Russia

DSWF funding helps support 125 rangers who work in six protected areas focused on the protection of the Amur Tiger. In the past year rangers have patrolled 15,605 km on foot, 332,099 km by motorized vehicles, 19,261 km by snowmobile, 5,369 km by quadbike, and 55,734 km by boat patrol. This has led to 386 noted violations including trespassing and illegal hunting.

Uganda

In Murchison Falls National Park, five radio towers have been installed, increasing the communications coverage of the park from 5% to 80%. Although patrol data has not yet been received, the regular scout and ranger patrols have removed thousands of snares from the bush. Snaring remains a huge problem and without regular patrols to remove the snares, many more animals would die. On a recent patrol, which two members of the DSWF team joined, 102 snares were found and removed from the park within just four hours.

Thank you for your support.

Find out more about our work with Rangers.