A non-governmental organisation, Wild Africa, has called for more support for Africa’s wildlife defenders.
The NGO made the call in a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH to commemorate World Ranger Day 2025, while highlighting the commitment of nearly 60,000 African rangers who risk their lives daily to protect wildlife and ecosystems.
Celebrated under the theme, ‘Rangers, Powering Transformative Conservation’ the initiative honoured the work of rangers worldwide and commemorated those who suffered in the line of duty.
The West Africa Director for Wild Africa, Linus Unah, who signed the statement acknowledged their courage, sacrifice, and relentless dedication to keep national parks and communities safe.
He said, “Rangers are nature’s first line of defence. Without them, our iconic wildlife like lions, elephants, gorillas, and leopards could disappear forever.
“Their courage, sacrifice, and relentless dedication keep our national parks and communities safe, protect our wildlife, and preserve our natural heritage for generations to come.”
There are an estimated 280,000 rangers globally, far below the 1.5 million needed to protect 30% of theplanet by 2030.
Between 2006 and 2021, 2,351 rangers died on duty worldwide, with over 42% of the fatalities linked to criminal activity related to wildlife crime and poaching.
Other challenges that rangers face include time away from their families, long hours of solitude, traumatic confrontations with poachers and being ostracised by their communities following arrests.
Unah, however, noted that Wild Africa had connected with rangers across the continent to share their personal stories from the field and highlight the courage and sacrifices required for this demanding profession.
A ranger in the Omo Forest Reserve in Ogun State, Yemi Odamo, said the Word Ranger Day recognised their efforts.
“It is a day to recognise and appreciate rangers. I love to protect nature, and I love to watch animal behaviour,” he said.
A former hunter turned ranger at the reserve, Gbenga Ogunwole, said World Ranger Day “is meaningful, because people will recognise us through that day, they will also appreciate our work.”
