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The Wildlife Ranger Challenge: A call to action for conservation
BY NOTHANDO DUBE
In Hwange, wildlife rangers are the unsung heroes of conservation efforts. Despite facing numerous challenges such as inadequate equipment, insufficient training, and meager wages, they continue to play a vital role in protecting Africa’s precious wildlife.
The Wildlife Ranger Challenge, coordinated by Tusk and Wildlife Rangers Association of Africa, aims to support these rangers by raising funds for their welfare and upkeep. The fifth edition of this event took place on Saturday and was hosted by Painted Dog Conservation (PDC). The 21km marathon started at Dete’s Cross Mabale and ended at Main camp, with the goal of creating a united front for conservation and driving donations to support Africa’s biodiversity guidance.
“Rangers often face a number of challenges, which include lack of adequate equipment, necessary training, and their wage is generally very low,” said Samson Chibaya, Senior Regional Manager of Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority who was the guest speaker at the event.
“This event creates a united front for conservation, driving donations to secure vital funding to run in tandem with Africa’s biodiversity guidance.”
Chibaya also emphasized the importance of supporting the rangers, saying, “There has to be a well-coordinated arrangement that ensures that the coordinated funds get to the rangers. That is why I say, can we take this ranger challenge possibly to another level, so that it can be seen for the benefit that we approve to the rangers.”
Chief Nelukoba, who officially opened the event, encouraged the organizers to keep up the good work in bringing more donors to help in conserving wildlife. He praised the efforts of rangers, saying, “This is very remarkable, we need such people who will help in conserving our own trees, animals, and even the soil.”
Councilor Jinn Sibanda appealed to stakeholders to capacitate the community on the importance of wildlife and nature. He applauded the recruitment of more female rangers, which has helped minimize poaching challenges.
Ronnie Sibanda from Painted Dog Conservation highlighted that the Rangers Challenge has raised over $18 million since 2020 to support rangers’ equipment, training, and remuneration.
This event, held on the same day in 24 African countries has brought together thousands of rangers and supporters globally, driving awareness of the importance of conservation and the challenges that rangers face. The funds raised will go a long way in supporting the welfare and upkeep of these brave men and women who risk their lives daily to protect Africa’s precious wildlife.
BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) has raised serious concerns over a road rehabilitation detour near Hwange National Park, warning that the route now passing through a sensitive wildlife area poses an immediate threat to painted dogs and other species.
In a statement shared on its official Facebook page, PDC said while it supports Zimbabwe’s ongoing road rehabilitation programme, the decision to divert heavy commercial traffic through an ecologically critical landscape is placing wildlife and people at risk.
The organisation said it had, together with other conservation groups and tourism operators, raised concerns with the relevant authorities, the responsible ministry and the contractor from the early stages of the project, warning of potential ecological damage. However, those concerns were not acted upon, and the detour is now in active use.
According to PDC, the increased traffic volume and speeding trucks along the route leading to Hwange National Park have created a “grave and immediate danger” to painted dogs, one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores, as well as to other wildlife and road users.
“With the detour now in place, the reality on the ground is worrying,” the organisation said.
PDC revealed that its teams, alongside other conservation stakeholders, are taking emergency measures to reduce wildlife fatalities during the period. These include actively guiding painted dogs away from the road and, in some cases, chasing them to safety when trucks approach. Staff have also been stationed along the road holding “Slow Down” placards to alert motorists.
“These are not ideal or sustainable solutions, but they are necessary right now to save lives,” the organisation said.
Painted Dog Conservation has called on authorities to urgently install additional wildlife warning signage and more speed humps to calm traffic through the sensitive area. The organisation also appealed directly to motorists to exercise caution.
“We respectfully urge all road users to slow down, stay alert, and remember that this is a shared landscape. Development and conservation must go hand in hand, especially in areas of such high ecological importance,” PDC said.
The organisation stressed that wildlife cannot speak for itself and vowed to continue intervening until safer, long-term solutions are implemented.
PDC has also urged the public to share the message widely in a bid to help protect Hwange’s wildlife.
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