Kruger Park Field Ranger Open Day at Nxanatseni

Many people dream of becoming a field ranger.

For a handful of us, that dream has come true. With these words, Louis Olivier, regional ranger for the Nxanatseni (northern ‘place of the mopane tree’) region, welcomed guests at an open day held at the Letaba shooting range.

Rangers from the 22 sections of the Kruger National Park (KNP) gave demonstrations of their various skills to a variety of guests that included members of the media and senior Sanparks officials.

In the first demonstration of the day, Steven Whitfield, section ranger at Tshokwane, and his team (refer to article about Steve's dog, Sheba being killed by Puffadder) showed how they pick up and follow the spoor of poachers. Shots fired, poachers caught and air rescue at ranger’s open day The team displayed methods of communication and simulated a role-play situation where armed contact was made between the rangers and the poachers.

They used live ammunition to show the accuracy of their aim at the targets – not an easy accomplishment in a combat situation.

John Turner, representative for the Honorary Rangers’ support group, counter poaching and the West Rand Honorary Rangers, took the opportunity to present the Kruger ranger corps with a Bantam B22J Ultralight Aircraft. This will be used for border patrols, anti poaching, carcass location, waterpoint monitoring, and the monitoring of rare species, to name a few of its future tasks. “The Bantam is ideal for air surveillance and is very forgiving,” says Steven.

Steven obtained his pilot’s license for the Bantam. The Honorary Rangers carried the cost for the entire project, including Steven’s training, to the amount of R470 000. “This is a pilot project for one year and perhaps we could have one in each region.” Steven demonstrated the maneuverability of the Bantam and its short take off and landing ability.

After that the rangers’ drill squad showed off their skills before a select group of marksmen displayed their shooting abilities to the crowd. In the final demonstration of the day, the rangers simulated a poaching incident where the poachers were caught red-handed. Rangers apprehended the poachers, after the perpetrators had shot an impala and while they were skinning the animal.

One poacher was killed, while a ranger was wounded in the skirmish and was evacuated by other rangers, using the Sanparks helicopter. “With the increased danger that our rangers have to face every day, not only from armed poachers but dangerous animals, it is indeed comforting for us to know that we can and will use every resource at our disposal to ensure that anyone injured can be brought to medical attention as soon as possible,” said Dr Bandile Mhkize, Kruger’s executive director.