NAN-AE-6
Rangers
By Ebere Agozie
Abuja, July 31, 2017 (NAN) The International Rangers Federation (IRF) said 105 rangers were killed by wild animals and poachers in the line of duty worldwide in the last 12 months.
Mr Sean Willmore, the President of the Federation made this known at an event to commemorate the 2017 World Ranger Day, held at the National Park Service’s Headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator-General of the Park, Wilmore called on Nigerians to support the federation in efforts to protect wildlife and wild places.
“Out of those who died in the year under review, 42 per cent were killed by poachers, 47 per cent died in work related accidents, and 11 per cent were killed by the animals the rangers were protecting.
“African region accounted for 45 per cent of the deaths, while Asian region accounted for 44 per cent, and the remaining 11 per cent per cent were recorded in North America, South America and European regions.
“Behind each case is a name, a story, a family, a tale of bravery and loss.
“These are the immense price many rangers have paid to protect wildlife, culture, communities and this very world we live in,’’ Willmore said.
He said that in Nigeria, 28 rangers had so far died since the inception of the Park in 1979, while 24 were maimed, and only one died between July 2016 and July 2017.
“The rangers who died in the line of duty deserve to be honoured, while their colleagues, who are still courageously performing their duty, should be encouraged.
“I know sometimes the challenges may seem overwhelming and insurmountable, but we must keep up the brave fight, otherwise, the hope for future of wildlife and our natural world will be gone.
“We are growing stronger with greater and with the number of rangers associations springing up, we will overcome all obstacles.’’
In his good will message, Mr Adeniyi Karunwi, the Director-General, Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), pledged the support of the foundation to the activities of the park.
Karunwi, represented by Malam Mohammed Garba, pledged the support of the NCF to rangers, “who have continued to safeguard the natural world of our protected areas and conservation’’.
Dr Rufus Ebegba, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), said that there was the need to give the National Parks recognition and visibility.
“National Parks and Biosafety are all about protecting our biodiversity.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Rangers Day is celebrated July 31 every year. (NAN)
EPA/AIB/EEE
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Ese E. Ekama