The Southern African Wildlife College’s Protected Area Integrity Unit, under the department’s African Field Ranger Training Services (AFRTS), had a successful start to 2018 with the kickoff of new and diverse training interventions, like the training for maritime rangers.
“We have developed a brand-new course for maritime training and provided a successful training intervention in Mozambique, which has attracted new possibilities for the division. We hope to soon extend the maritime programme to other parts of South Africa and, indeed, the world,” says Ruben De Kock.
In addition, the team was recently in the North West Province to assist North West Parks Board with a conservation guardianship course, which will train a selection of 40 students over the course of the year until they complete their training on 9 December 2018. Three of the College’s trainers are currently deployed in the region to see the students through to completion of their training.
The unit also recently implemented a Kruger National Park (KNP) training intervention for a Basic Field Ranger course that was completed successfully, with students showing a high level of discipline and marksmanship as new field rangers. They are currently deployed in the Intensive Protection Zone of KNP.
The dynamic unit has a fully planned year ahead and believe that in 2018, they will continue to make a significant impact on conservation training and be able expand on the courses they offer.
