Best African Game Ranger of the year
Outstanding leadership in the Kruger National Park has won regional manager, Don English, the Best Game Ranger in Africa title at this years’s 2020 Rhino Conservation Awards.
Don English manages Marula South, otherwise known as the Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) of the Kruger National Park. He works to ensure the area integrity of approximately 426,663 hectares meaning he is responsible, alongside his ranger team, for the conservation and protection of most of the Kruger’s rhino population.
Announcing the award, Andrew Campbell, CEO of the Game Rangers Association of Africa said: “Against all odds, through sheer tenacity and persistence, and with the support of his ranger teams, Don has managed to lower rhino poaching activities year on year in the Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ).”
“Don plans, co-ordinates, executes and participates in counter poaching operations to stem the rhino poaching crisis, always leading from the front. He is responsible for the management and well-being of 6 Section Rangers stations and their field ranger teams.”
“Don makes a special effort to motivate all sections to understand counter poaching operations and to be part of the solution. This was evident in that for the first time since 2007, there were no rhino recorded as poached for the IPZ during April 2020. Against all odds, through sheer tenacity and persistence and with the support of his ranger teams, Don has managed to lower rhino poaching activities year on year in this region,” added Campbell.
Runners up for the Best Game Ranger award were
- Benson Kanyembo of Conservation South Luangwa, Zambia.
- Albert Smith of South African National Parks, South Africa.
