The rangers
 The elephant has obviously been killed for its ivory, a trend on the rise across the DRC. A ranger in Virunga National Park points out where the elephant was hit by the bullet. The tusks have been removed with a chainsaw. |
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 Rangers paying tribute to the Heros. |
 A ranger of the Kenya Wildlife Service. |
 MWCT's Community Rangers holding the ivory tusks after careful removal. |
 Taking poachers into custody. |
 "Every four days, a ranger is killed in the line of duty." - WWF |
 Addo Elephant National Park rangers move in on a target during a simulated poaching exercise last week as part of their World Ranger Day celebrations. |
Every day, park rangers risk their lives to protect wildlife and habitats from poaching, vandalism, theft, exploitation or destruction.
Sadly, it’s estimated that over 1,000 park rangers have been killed in the line of duty over the past 10 years, 75% by commercial poachers and armed militia groups. Park rangers are generally under-equipped, underpaid, and often under-appreciated.
As guardians of our natural and cultural resources, rangers are first on the scene of illegal or unsustainable exploitation of these resources, often at great personal risk.
Regional conflict, civil war and political unrest also greatly impact protected areas and the rangers that manage them.
The illegal wildlife trade is annually worth more than
19 billion US dollars.
The Western Black Rhino was declared extinct in 2013.
Don't let this happen to the elephants as well.
