As Zimbabwes wildlife continues to increase, the Painted Dog Conservation held a Wildlife Ranger
Challenge to encourage rangers to continue curbing poaching.
More than 80 rangers took part in this year's edition of the Wildlife Ranger Challenge held at Hwange
National Park.
David Kuvawoga the Operations Manager of the Painted Dog Conservancy said the challenge is all about
working together and perseverance.
“If we want to preserve our wildlife, we must work together. We are happy about this Wildlife Rangers
Challenge programme. It is an important tool where we want to garner all support for our rangers who
are very important for our conservation work,” said Kuvawoga.
The event kicked off at dawn from Cross-Mabale to Hwange Main camp and covered a distance of a
21km walk. As part of the grueling nature that wildlife rangers endure, four chosen main participants
had to carry 20kgs backpack as a symbol of dedication to wildlife protection.
The sentiments were also shared by Dumisani Chiota the Spokesperson of Prevail International.
"It is not only the duty of government but even the private sector to help in conservation programmes.
We must all work together," he said.
The various participants comprising both male and female rangers were drawn from public and private
conservancies.
" It matters to protect Zimbabwe's wildlife heritage against all odds. We encounter a lot of challenges in
our work but this is a duty we must do with endurance, " said one female ranger after completing the
grueling walk.
Another female ranger also told this publication of how taking part in the Wildlife Rangers Challenge has
refocused her dedication.
"It’s not just a walk, it is my own way of proving my resilience and dedication to fighting poaching, this
means a lot to us as rangers. We sacrifice a lot to guard our wildlife,” she said.
There has been support coming through in different forms from the corporate sector to keep the ever
growing challenge alive.
Marking its third year running the Wildlife Rangers Challenge has become an important support
mechanism against poaching.
