On World Ranger Day, new figures reveal that 740 rangers have died in the line of duty between 2009 and 2017, with 98 killed in the first seven months of 2017 alone. The data highlights the escalating violence in the fight against poaching, which has become a multi-billion-pound criminal enterprise.
Dame Jane Goodall, the renowned British primatologist and UN Messenger of Peace, paid tribute to the rangers' sacrifice in a video message. She said: 'I know that many of you risk your lives almost daily because the fight against poachers in some places is becoming almost like a war, and many of the poachers are now well-armed.' She urged support for the Thin Green Line Foundation, which aids rangers.
Wildlife crime is now estimated to generate over £17.5 billion annually, on par with human trafficking, arms dealing, and drug trafficking. Poachers use heavy weaponry, while rangers often lack basic equipment. Up to 100 elephants are killed daily for ivory, which sells for £500 per kilogram.
Raphael Chiwindo, an anti-poaching operator in Malawi's Kasungu National Park, said: 'Malawi has beautiful wildlife that I feel is overlooked by the world. There are few people who care about wildlife; I want to be one of the few who do.' Philip Mansbridge, UK Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, praised rangers' dedication, stating: 'We rely on their hard work and bravery to protect our most vulnerable wildlife.'
