33 new field rangers have joined the boots on the ground in the Kruger National Park, where they will provide much-needed support to other rangers in protecting our natural heritage!
Kruger National Park, South Africa (04 September 2024) — 33 new field rangers will be on the ground in the Kruger National Park, thanks to their successful passage through several stages of recruitment and training.
In July, pre-selection and selection processes took place, during which trainees were screened and evaluated for their fitness, cognitive functioning, and aptitude. Other elements like their attitudes and commitment to teamwork were also looked at (as ranger work is heavily reliant on being able to coordinate smoothly with others).
The successful group then navigated their way through the Basic Field Ranger Training course, which should add ‘intense’ to its title because of its grilling nature.
After all these hoops, 33 new field rangers successfully came out on the other side and enjoyed their passing parade yesterday, 3 September.
With immediate effect, they have been deployed to different sections of the Kruger National Park, where they will be responsible for the protection of the precious land, its inhabitants and its future.
Says SANParks:
“The new recruits will provide the much-needed boost to the current team of ranger corps and should be seen as a necessary measure to support Law Enforcement and Biodiversity Conservation efforts in the park, giving invaluable support to the men and women working on the ground.”
Meanwhile, in other exciting news on the wildlife and wildflora scene, SANParks and the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) celebrated a significant milestone recently as the Richtersveld Desert Botanical Garden was completed!
by 