The Game Ranger Experience!

Game Rangers are the custodians of our wildlife areas and are responsible for ensuring that our game and nature reserves are managed in a sustainable manner.  For people to understand what a game ranger does, it is very important to understand Ecosystem management which includes grasses; plants; animals; weather; geology; roads; fences; water and fire. Game Capture is only a small part of a game rangers duty as here he will generally form part of a large team of game capture specialists and veterinary specialists doing a capture as and when needed whilst taking place at the last minute yet generally in winter months, the supposed “glamorous” side of being a game ranger. Anti-poaching on the other hand is the not so “glamorous” side to any game rangers’ duty and is generally an on-going daily saga, with much frustration, passion and determination. In our courses we try and in corporate either one of these or both if at all possible, as we require specialists in these fields.

Subjects include:
• Black pot principle
• Landscape model: ROZ plan, fire management; water provision and Elephant management.
• Animals: Game distribution, sex ratios, age classes, game numbers and animal condition
• Area integrity management: Anti-poaching, equipment training, patrol methods, crime scene management, anti-poaching surveillance. (Specialist Jack Greef, details further in document)
• Rare Game Management: Limitations and management options, active adaptive management, game counts and census methods.
• Wildlife and tourism management’s co-existence, population dynamics, challenges and commercialisation in private and public sectors.
• Buffalo breeding programme and Elephant contraception
• Alien and Invasive plant management, bush encroachment, tree rehabilitation (Warden Kobus Havemann)
• Global warming and its effects on South African wildlife.
• Environmental auditing and house-keeping and waste management
• Daily subjects will include ecosystem management as a whole.
 
 
Tasks include:
• Observation, census and animal condition forms which contribute to the collection of data which can be passed on to the game reserve’s management for their own use and the learners get to contribute to the authentic operations.  
• Patrol drives to do game distribution; sex ratios; age classes; game numbers and condition.
• Learners do waterhole count and sleep outs.
• A full day and night (with his team) with Anti-poaching specialist Jack Greef at Makuleke – Highlight!
• There may be game capture activity if one becomes available during the course, not guaranteed.
• Visiting buffalo breeding programme
• Practical work would include alien and invasive plant control and waste cleanup.
• Final presentation done by all students as individuals – last day.   

Must bring items:
• Sleeping bag – summer
• Binoculars
• Welding/Working gloves
• Hiking boots (No sneakers/takkies/active wear)
• Camel/Water backpack – Minimum 3lt capacity
• Cotton clothes that are blended with bush – Heat and anti-poaching
• Sun block and wide-brimmed hat
• Small notebook & pen
• Rain poncho – strong
• Suggested book – “The wildlife of Southern Africa by Vincent Carruthers – Struik” 

Our Game Ranger Experience will give participants a taste of what it is like to be a game ranger!

Anti-poaching Specialist - Jack Greef, born in the Free State town of Vrede, joined the SADF as a boy soldier at the age of 16 and became the youngest member of the Permanent Force to complete the tough Part One Instructor's Course at the Infantry School at Oudtshoorn. After five years service with 5-South African Infantry, both as an instructor and as a platoon sergeant in the operational area, he passed selection for the Recces and qualified as a combat operator. He served in the Recces for 11 years and was the recipient of the Golden Operator's Badge for 10 or more years as a combat operator in Special Forces. He became one of the most decorated soldiers in the SADF - all awarded for achievements and bravery during special operations. This included a well-deserved Honoris Crux. After rising to the rank of major he resigned to pursue a career as a game ranger. He has since successfully directed anti-poaching operations, firstly in South Africa's world-renowned Kruger National Park and later elsewhere in Africa and now is the head of Anti-poaching in the Pafuri/Makuleke region of the Kruger National park. For an interesting read try his book – “A Greater share of honour by Major Jack Greef”. ‘Info courtesy of Galago books, www.galago.co.za. ”

Instructor, specialist Ralf Kalwa - It is with good reason that Lex and Anton the Directors of EcoTraining decided to join forces with Ralf Kalwa to conduct and instruct our Game Ranger Course. With reference to Ralf’s experience and expertise below, you have no doubt your Instructor on this course will deliver information and a great understanding to the contents of this course. With total passion and enthusiasm for a Game Ranger’s life! See the pdf document herewith for his full experience here!

Duration: 2 weeks
Minimum pax: 1; Maximum pax: 10 Cost: Please contact us.
Venue: 1st week Makuleke Camp, KNP - 2nd week Karongwe Game Reserve

If this is your dream or passion, allow us to help you fulfill that dream. After all, there is no time like the present. Contact us.