The World Wild Fund South Africa’s Khetha programme, supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), donated field ranger kits to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) for their rangers at the Mthethomusha Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, South Africa.
Craig Hay, from,from the Southern Africa Wildlife Trafficking Hub at WWF South Africa said the donation kits include tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, backpacks, mosquito nets, rainsuits, medical kits, binoculars, portable gas stoves, and more.
“Rangers often work under very difficult conditions. Every day, whether in camp or on patrol, they face numerous dangers and discomforts, from extreme weather to wild animals, disease, and encounters with illegal trespassers. This equipment will make rangers’ work a little easier and more comfortable. Their wellbeing is of utmost importance.” Said Hay.
He also said the donation meets a critical equipment gap at a time when conservation agencies are under major resource constraints worsened by the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions, and loss of tourism income.
When receiving the donation the Acting CEO Mduduzi Vilakazi, of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, said “We are grateful to receive this immense contribution of the field rangers’ semi-permanent operations enabling kit from the WWF South Africa Khetha Programme to fight against wildlife crime in the Mthethomusha Nature Reserve. By meeting the equipment shortage, we aim to improve the rangers’ working conditions, wellbeing and resilience. We convey our sincere appreciation to WWF-South Africa Khetha Programme for their enabling support for the MTPA to continue conserving and protecting our natural heritage. We look forward to a long-standing relationship and support”, he said.
About USAID
On behalf of the American people, US Agency for International Development (USAID) promotes and demonstrates democratic values abroad, and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of America’s foreign policy, USAID leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance. USAID administers the US foreign assistance program which provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide.
About WWF
WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, with almost six million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
About WWF-South Africa
WWF-South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that for more than 40 years has worked towards the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the well-being of all our people.
About the WWF Khetha Programme
The Khetha programme, implemented by WWF South Africa supported by USAID, supports the efforts of the Mozambique and South Africa governments, as well as NGOs, private sector, civil society and communities living in and close to affected areas, to address the impact of wildlife trafficking on people and wildlife in the South African and Mozambican landscape of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA).
WWF stands for the World Wide Fund for Nature
See www.wwf.org.za for more information
Follow WWF on twitter http://twitter.com/WWFSouthAfrica
About Mpumalanga Parks and Tourism Agency
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) was established in terms of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Act of 2005, Act No. 5 of 2005, and listed as a Schedule 3C Public Agency. The objects of the Agency is to provide for the sustainable management and promotion of tourism and nature conservation in the Province and to ensure the sustainable utilisation of natural resources. This is done through:
- Providing for effective management and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems within the Province;
- Develop and ensure effective management and market tourism;
- Foster, promote and sustainably develop and market tourism; and
- Promote and create socio-economic growth and transformation within the tourism and conservation industry, thereby creating economic and employment opportunities for previously disadvantaged individuals and local communities in the Province
Visit www.mpumalanga.com for more information.
