Zimbabwe
www.gameranger.org The 44
th Annual General Meeting of the GRAA was held this May at the IAPF’s Zimbabwe HQ on the Stanley and Livingstone Private Game Reserve in Victoria Falls. With around 50 rangers attending from across Southern Africa, it was a great opportunity to expand awareness of conservation efforts in Zimbabwe. It also expanded a forum for which parties could exchange knowledge on many of the issues we face today, in particular poaching. The IAPF played an integral role in facilitating and organising much of the event. CEO & Founder Damien Mander addressed the AGM as part of a panel, which saw many of the area’s key players discussing efforts and challenges for conservation. Presentations on the requirement for new technology and systems to be implemented into the fight also brought the gravity of the situation home. Reinforced was the overall need for higher standards and practices for training, and especially management of field rangers. Following a day of field trips, the IAPF was also able to showcase our work in protecting the reserve as well as many of the other conservation efforts in place. All in all, the AGM was a huge success and we know that the attendees were able to take something away as relationships are further fostered towards cross border conservation.
About the GRAA
- The Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA) was founded in 1970 as a non-racial, non-political organisation.
- The Game Rangers’ Association of Africa is a properly constituted association and has been registered as a non-profit organisation.
- The Game Rangers’ Association of Africa is a longstanding and well established defined community of practice.
- The Game Rangers’ Association of Africa provides support, networks and representation for game rangers across Africa.
- The Game Rangers’ Association of Africa believes that game rangers should operate with pride, and with passion for their profession whilst promoting best management practices in ensuring the conservation of our natural heritage.
- The Game Rangers’ Association of Africa believes that the continued future existence of Africa’s wilderness and its wildlife is ultimately and irrevocably linked to the expertise, ethics and motivation of those tasked with the “on the ground” protection and management of this priceless asset. This involves inter alia the conservation of the natural heritage, and the promotion of sustainable utilization of natural resources, ecotourism, community involvement and environmental education.
- The Ranger in Africa has many real needs, but without real support and relevant training the Ranger will fail, and Africa’s priceless natural and cultural heritage will be lost forever.
