WWF South Africa, with funding from WWF Germany, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection and other benefactors, is working to improve ranger wellness in KwaZulu-Natal, a province that has been particularly hard hit by rhino poaching in recent years.

While ranger work can be rewarding it is also onerous, requiring rangers to be away from home for extended periods in remote areas. Rangers and their families also face an ever-present risk posed by the international criminal syndicates behind South Africa’s rhino poaching crisis.

These are among the reasons why ranger wellness interventions are vital to improve working conditions and reduce the risks of corruption and entrapment that rangers face.

Jeff Cooke, Rhino Conservation Manager with WWF South Africa, explains:  “Rangers are at the forefront of ongoing rhino conservation efforts. Through this work, we aim to professionalise ranger work, boost team morale, prevent corruption and increase efficiency. This is not only important for conservation, but also for the wellbeing of the men and women who put themselves on the frontline every day as they work to secure our unique natural heritage.”

A focus of the ranger wellness work is in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park (HiP) which has been particularly hard hit by poaching in the last few years, along with 11 other private and communally owned reserves in KZN which are home to white rhinos and black rhinos through the WWF Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.

Among the key interventions is a ranger survey to develop a fuller understanding of the psychological and physical challenges that rangers face, to understand how to best support rangers as well as build trust and morale in the ranger corps.

Similar work in Kruger National Park highlighted the value of undertaking surveys through interviews directly with rangers on the ground to understand the challenges and threats they experience and gather practical guidance on appropriate solutions.

The KZN survey will probe how best to support rangers in their work so as to professionalise what they do and make them less vulnerable to criminal syndicates. It will also be used to develop ranger resilience training.

Another significant focus has been the upgrading of ranger accommodation and field outposts, along with the provision of equipment, uniforms and technical and aerial support. Accommodation upgrades include the provision of solar power for electricity and hot water as well as the recreational facilities. Decent outpost living conditions and access to recreational activities help to decrease stress and improve sleep and the physical health of rangers which in turn enhances performance and morale.

Recently, a  state-of-the-art ranger facility, funded by the Roy McAlpine Foundation facilitated through WWF South Africa, was  formally opened at Babanango Game Reserve which is 75% community owned. This facility allows for each ranger on duty to have their own room, gym facilities and internet access and is among the best available in the network of parks.

Skills development is also an important part of this work including legal training, to ensure best-practice law enforcement ethics and standards, First Aid (as rangers are at increased risk of injuries during patrols and also from injury by dangerous wildlife), and advanced field ranger training in areas such as dog handling and aerial support. In partnership with the Southern African Wildlife College, a select group will also undergo the Braveheart ranger leadership training to develop future leaders with a strong focus on community engagement, human rights, negotiation and conflict resolution.