CAREER AS A GAME RANGER

In Africa, the Game Ranger goes by many different titles - Game Ranger, Game Warden, Conservation Officer, Protected Area Manager and many more.

Game Rangers are protected area managers whose prime responsibility is ensuring the territorial and biological integrity of the protected area under his/her management. They may work in both terrestrial and marine environments in management positions.

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. Added to these are the normal day to day financial controls, human resource planning and administration, which must also be carried out.

In order to qualify as a game ranger you need to undergo tertiary training at an accredited institution. 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.

Please visit the following web-sites for more information:

Southern African Wildlife College: www.wildlifecollege.org.za

College of African Wildlife Management: www.mwekawildlife.ac.tz

Tshwane University of Technology: www.tut.ac.za

CAREER AS A FIELD RANGER

In Africa, the Field Ranger goes by many different titles - Field Ranger, Game Scout, Scout, Game Guard and many more.

Field rangers work at the "coal face" of conservation. They work in protected areas across Africa and are tasked with, amongst other things, ensuring the territorial and biological integrity of these wild places. 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 may work in terrestrial and marine environments.

It takes a unique type of individual to perform the tasks expected of a field ranger in what are often extreme conditions. Due to the physical nature of the job a high level of fitness and strength is required. 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.

Basic training will be needed in order to develop the required skills to operate as a field ranger. Choosing a reputable training provider is critical. The Game Rangers Association of Africa can assist you in making this choice to ensure that your qualification is sought after in the market place.

The following institution provides training for those wanting to develop their skills as field rangers:

Southern African Wildlife College: www.wildlifecollege.org.za

For further information please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

It is important to note that those interested in interpretative guiding in the ecotourism sector should look into a career as a Field Guide.