In acknowledgement of World Ranger Day on July 31, leading ecotourism company Great Plains Conservation has released a powerful video highlighting the work of rangers in conservation areas across Africa.

“We owe so much to conservation field rangers worldwide in this battle, where weighing up risk against reward, by so many poachers, is the game. This week, which includes World Ranger Day, we want to acknowledge rangers everywhere,” said Great Plains Co-Founder Dereck Joubert.

This month, Great Plains focused on working with some of the rangers, looking at accommodation, their working conditions and the vital conservation tasks they fulfil.

The company has just approved and agreed to build a camp for park rangers in Zimbabwe’s private Sapi Reserve. Joubert also inspected the rangers’ accommodation in the Olare Motorogi Conservancy in Kenya, where the group’s Mara Plains Camp is situated.

“I was not happy. We cannot expect our rangers to live in tin huts and take care of our wildlife effectively day after day. These are not Great Plains guides and conservation rangers, but communal reserve and conservancy rangers that are normally outside of our care,” said Joubert.

As a result, Great Plains and the Great Plains Foundation have started a fundraising campaign, aiming to raise US$90 000 for a revamp of the accommodation. 

“With a solid team that is well taken care of and appreciated by us, I know we can receive 100% from them. I hope you will join us in showing that support,” said Joubert.