During 2007, the 4x4 Eco Challenge team was approached by Committee members of the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA) with a request to assist them on an African outreach expedition planned for August 2008.  The GRAA is instrumental in the training and support of many rangers in game parks throughout Africa.  They play a vital role in advising and assisting the Southern African Wildlife College to train and assess colleagues and students towards more effective management of the wildlife environment of their respective countries.

During the past three years GRAA members have accompanied and assisted us with the 4x4 Eco Challenge and we have come to know more about their huge task in conserving wildlife and the environment in Africa.  Their biggest need during this outreach will be logistical and financial assistance to visit and support their African counterparts and students.    

Over the years we have often been exposed to the harsh conditions and the isolation that these conservationists work in and how proud of and committed they are to their task, even though they get very little assistance and recognition from the outside world.  We believe that this is an excellent opportunity to further the cause of conservation on ground level with tangible support to these rangers in Africa.    

CONSERVATION OUTREACH INTO AFRICA 2008

HIGH RANKING DELEGATES OF THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN WILDLIFE COLLEGE AND GAME RANGERS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA EMBARK ON AN OUTREACH INTO 14 NATIONAL PARKS AND TRANS FRONTIER PEACE PARKS IN FIVE SOUTHERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

Since 2003 these two organizations have cooperated in training and capacitating over a 1000 game rangers and conservation managers throughout Southern Africa and as far afield as Ghana.
During August 2008 a team of representatives from these two organisations plan to visit previously qualified conservation students as well as their ranger peers. The focus of this outreach will be to support these students and their management on their “home turf” and to identify and address needs hampering conservation management in Southern Africa.

SOUTHERN AFRICAN WILDLIFE COLLEGE

The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) was established in close cooperation with all interested parties in Southern Africa, including national and provincial government departments, other conservation agencies, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) prior to 1997. The SAWC is an independent SADC training institution and does not receive a government subsidy. SAWC is a registered Non-profit Organization (registration number 046-675-NPO) and proudly supported by both the Peace Parks Foundation and WWF-SA.
The main objective of the SAWC is to provide people from Africa with the required motivation and relevant skills to manage and conserve their protected areas and associated fauna and flora on a sustainable basis in cooperation with local communities.

GAME RANGERS ASSOCIATION OF AFRICA

The Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA) was founded in 1971 and currently has nearly 800 members based in a range of African countries and beyond. The GRAA believes that the future existence of Africa’s wilderness and its wildlife is ultimately and irrevocably linked to the expertise, ethics and motivation of those tasked with the protection and management of this asset. In addition to various tangible needs, relevant training is vital if Rangers are to succeed in this important task.

MAIN OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the GRAA is to ensure that game rangers from Africa are adequately trained and equipped to carry out their work. Maintain good contact and communication between Game Rangers especially in Africa and support and promote wildlife management activities in Africa.
Various African Government Organisations, the Peace Parks Foundation, and the Southern African Wildlife College have pledged their full support for this groundbreaking initiative.