RANGERS who attended the International Rangers Federation Congress, held earlier this month at Berg en Dal in the Kruger National Park (KNP), expressed "pleasant surprise" at how "well-managed and well-maintained" the KNP is, saying it equated "extremely well" with parks in first-world countries.
Game Rangers Association of Africa executive committee member and official spokesperson, Dave Zeller, told Travel Now that the 313 international delegates from 58 countries who attended the congress from September 10 to 17, were "very positive" about South Africa, and Africa for that matter.
The congress - which is held every three years - was held in Africa for the first time and according to Zeller, it was held as a sign of the first world's support of a third-world country.
"It is widely known that while Africa, and Southern Africa, needs to conserve its natural heritage, it is severely lacking in resources to do so. The International Rangers Federation has recognised this and has come out strongly in support of this."
A United States delegation donated a number of ranger uniforms to Mozambique and Australia has agreed to follow suit by donating its own used rangers uniforms to African countries.
In addition, the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA) obtained sponsorship for 50 African delegates to attend the congress.
"An interesting development at this congress was that a Pan-African meeting was held and an All-African protocol established," relates Zeller.
He says national ranger associations were established as well as regional ranger associations, ie Northern, Southern, Central, East and West African Game Ranger Associations.
The regional associations will represent the national ones which in turn, will be administrated by the GRAA. Funding and donations from other countries will also be facilitated through the GRAA.
"The challenge of course will be to keep the ball rolling and establishing clear communication channels with the members. The GRAA has also established a training section for rangers which will deal with paramilitary training to keep poachers at bay."
"The training falls within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and will ensure that Africa's rangers are on a par with the first-world countries."
The next international congress will be held in Australia in 2003.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
