- SANParks celebrated World Ranger Day by showcasing their Sea, Air, and Mountain team and honouring the rangers’ dedication and sacrifice.
- The event included a march and arrest simulation, with SANParks CEO thanking the rangers for protecting national parks and ecosystems.
- TMNP manager and City law enforcement also commended the rangers and highlighted the importance of partnerships in conservation efforts.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) marked World Ranger Day with a marching of the troop and arrest simulation, showcasing its Sea, Air and Mountain (SEAM) team in action.
Speaking at the event in Tokai on Wednesday 31 July, SANParks Chief Executive Officer Property Mokoena thanked the rangers for their dedication and sacrifice in holding the thin green line.
he said.
On a more sombre note, Mokoena remembered the 66 rangers who died in the line of duty. “Today is a day to remember the fallen rangers and colleagues, those who lost their lives in the line of duty who have paid the ultimate price and sacrificed to hold the thin green line,” he said. “We also celebrate the work rangers are doing to protect our planet.”
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The Cape region consists of diverse national parks, including the Agulhas National Park, Bontebok National Park, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), Karoo National Park and the West Coast National Park.
Mokoena described the parks as a sanctuary for unique ecosystems and endangered species. “These national parks are protected by the tireless efforts of our rangers,” he added.
Grateful
Meanwhile, TMNP manager Megan Taplin thanked the rangers for their dedication despite many challenges.
“It is with immense gratitude and respect that I extend our heartfelt thanks to all the rangers across SANParks, in our 21 national parks, who are dedicated and willing to assist us with the protection of our natural ecosystems and national parks,” she said.
“I witnessed first-hand the skills, passion and dedication of our rangers often working in very difficult and challenging conditions. In the Western Cape, it is in the rain and the heat, in fire and strong winds and sometimes all of those in one day. Despite those conditions, the rangers go out there and do their job.”
Taplin added that SANParks worked well with its stakeholders which included the City of Cape Town law enforcement, honorary rangers, Take Back Our Mountains and Friends of Table Mountain.
Senior Inspector Ismail Bradley from the City’s law enforcement also commended law enforcement officers who had to adapt to mountain terrains.
“The one thing that makes this collaboration work is the partnership, not only between SANParks and the City, but we often have to rely on the hiking community, neighbourhood watches and honorary rangers,” he said.
“I also have to commend law enforcement officers who had to adapt and were never trained to walk these mountains.”
