Wildlife Rangers

Thank you for your support of rangers on the frontline of conservation across Africa and Asia. In our latest update we highlight the incredible work done by DSWF supported rangers in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Vietnam.

Zimbabwe

David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) provides support and funding to dedicated anti-poaching units that operate in and around Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Their recent work has been focused on safeguarding a wild dog pack that has moved into a treacherous region, rife with illegal wildlife crime. Yet, determinedly, their efforts resulted in over 3,500 snares being removed from the area over the last year.

Unfortunately, in the past few months, a mature female named Thinnet was found dead in a snare and a pup went missing from the main pack. The anti-poaching teams set up a field camp and began to carry out reconnaissance ahead of the pack, as well as close monitoring patrols. These actions saved the lives of each of the adult members of the pack, who were snared on multiple occasions, but thanks to the efforts of the rangers were able to be rescued and released successfully – often within minutes of being trapped.

Zambia

The partially DSWF-funded aerial support unit has flown more than 100 hours to bolster operations across Kafue National Park. The aerial teams conducted these operations to apprehend poachers and illegal fishermen. The “eyes in the sky” capability has enabled previously unseen illegal camps to be spotted, and ground teams are able to follow up on the given coordinates. The aircraft has also been used to support the Wildlife Rescue Programme and ensure the safety of the elephant release herd.

Over the past few months, the ranger patrol teams covered a total distance of 4,000km each month on foot, vehicle, and boat patrols. During the period, the patrols teams recovered 18kg of bushmeat and seven firearms with ammunition. They also apprehended 11 poachers.

The Special-Intelligence Unit and Special Anti-Poaching Unit conducted an operation following intelligence regarding illegal firearms. This resulted in the apprehension of seven suspects and confiscation of five illegal firearms, removal of 24 snares, and the closure of an illegal firearm repair workshop. An additional suspect was also apprehended due to possession of bush meat. A separate local intelligence lead resulted in the successful apprehension of a seller of a leopard skin.

Vietnam

The project’s anti-poaching team has played a crucial role in patrolling and monitoring the protected areas in Pu Mat National Park over the past six months. The project’s 16 rangers have coordinated closely with 69 National Park rangers and worked diligently to patrol the entire forest area of over 94,000 hectares. Patrols have been bolstered using 16 PoacherCam units and 120 additional camera traps to monitor both illegal activities and wildlife in the Co Phat Forest area.

Despite the challenging terrain and difficult conditions in the dense jungle, the anti-poaching team has been highly effective in mitigating and reducing illegal activity in the protected areas. Patrols have even continued despite an exceptionally bad flood season. Rangers have shown incredible bravery and passion for their jobs and the wildlife they protect, as they have continued to trek through the dangerous waters sweeping across the forest floor to ensure wildlife remains protected and safe from poachers.

Read more on this story here.

Thank you for your ongoing support which is enabling us to keep boots on the ground protecting endangered species.