Minister decries attacks on rangers

Minister of tourism Vera Kamtukule has condemned the behaviour of some community members who are hunting down forest and wildlife rangers.

Kamtukule made the condemnation in Rumphi district during a joint commemoration of the 2024 World Wetlands, Wildlife, and Rangers day which was being held under the theme “People and nature conservation.”

Kamtukule: We are worried.

In an interview with MIJ online Kamtukule observed that despite a commendable job of fostering mutual existence between communities and wildlife, rangers have become a target of some individuals whose aim is to devour wildlife.

“Rangers are being hunted down like wildlife itself. I have seen the traps being for animals such as elephants and buffalos and unfortunately it is rangers that have fallen into those traps and some have lots their legs. I once met a wife of a ranger whose house was set ablaze while she was inside with her child. All these just because one is a ranger,” lamented Kamtukule.

According to Kamtukule, there is need to take time and appreciate the good works of game and wildlife rangers saying they put their lives at risk in service of this country.

On his part, Samuel Kamoto national director of the African Parks in Malawi said the conduct puts at risk the sustainability of wildlife protection efforts thus negatively affecting the tourism sector.

He said it is sad that in some instances communities have formed gangs solely design to hunt rangers with an aim of having an easy access to wildlife.

“If we continue on this path of frustrating efforts to guard our wildlife we may end up having non in the near future and that has a negative impact on our tourism sector because a lot of people travel long distances to see our wildlife. We therefore need to stop,” observed Kamoto.

During the joint commemoration of the 2024 World Wetlands, Wildlife, and Rangers day, some rangers were awarded prizes ranging from cash to bicycles as a way of appreciating their commitment to protecting wildlife.

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