

It is also imperative that those seeking employment as field rangers have adequate security clearance as they will be involved in law enforcement and in some instances will be trained to carry firearms.īasic training will be needed in order to develop the required skills to operate as a field ranger. Due to the physical nature of the job a high level of fitness and strength is required. It takes a unique type of individual to perform the tasks expected of a field ranger in what are often extreme conditions. They may work in terrestrial and marine environments. They are the 'boots on the ground' in Africa's protected areas who undertake patrols and are invovled in law enforcement, wildlife monitoring, community engagement and conservation management activities like alien plant control, fire management and game capture. They work in protected areas across Africa and are tasked with, amongst other things, ensuring the territorial and biological integrity of these wild places. In Africa, the Field Ranger goes by many different titles - Field Ranger, Game Scout, Scout, Game Guard and many more.įield rangers work at the "coal face" of conservation. Southern African Wildlife College: College of African Wildlife Management: Tshwane University of Technology: CAREER AS A FIELD RANGER Please visit the following web-sites for more information:

Many game rangers hold diplomas in nature conservation or have bachelor's degrees majoring in the natural sciences (zoology, biology, conservation ecology, wildlife management, botany etc.) This list is not exhaustive but may provide you with some idea of some of the tertiary courses on offer in the field of nature conservation. In order to qualify as a game ranger you need to undergo tertiary training at an accredited institution. Added to these are the normal day to day financial controls, human resource planning and administration, which must also be carried out. Their tasks are multi-faceted and include ensuring the day to day health and well-being of wildlife, research and monitoring, game capture and introductions, population management, fire management, infrastructure and equipment maintenance, public relations, environmental education, and, crucially, local community relations, liaison and involvement. They may work in both terrestrial and marine environments in management positions. Game Rangers are protected area managers whose prime responsibility is ensuring the territorial and biological integrity of the protected area under his/her management. In Africa, the Game Ranger goes by many different titles - Game Ranger, Game Warden, Conservation Officer, Protected Area Manager and many more.
