Environment

2020 World Ranger Day: 137 Park Rangers Died In 12-Month-IRF President

Published

5 years ago

August 4, 2020

Joel Ajayi

President of International Rangers’ Federation(IRF) Chris Galliers, has revealed that 137 park Rangers have lost their lives to wildlife attacks among several unfortunate homicide related cases, in the last 12 months across seven regions of the world

IRF’s President Galliers made the disclosure at the 2020 World Ranger Day, celebrated on July 31 of every year.

According to Galliers’ speech and which was read by Dr Ibrahim Goni, Conservator- General, National Park Service, during a Zoom meeting in Abuja to commemorate world rangers day in Abuja.

He said the figure accounted for the highest number of Rangers deaths since the inception of the Roll of Honour in 2011.

Galliers said of the seven IRF regions, Asia had the greatest number of rangers’ killed at 66 deaths , which represents 48 per cent of all ranger deaths, while Africa had the second highest number of Rangers’ deaths of 40, making up 30 per cent.

“We know that this number could be considerably higher, as not all ranger deaths are reported or publicised. The number is still unacceptably high, with 1,013 recorded ranger deaths over the past decade.

“This is of major concern. We, as the ranger family, share in the loss of our colleagues and their families, and look to honour them on World Ranger Day for all that they had contributed to the profession and conservation.”

He said the main cause of death on duty for rangers was homicide which accounted for 43 deaths,saying these deaths mostly occured in Africa and Asia.

“In addition, the environment in which rangers work can be hostile and dangerous, threatened by the very animals that they serve to protect.

“Wildlife attack accounted for the second highest cause of ranger fatalities, with 24 deaths. Other causes include accidents- 33 deaths; drownings -14 deaths and illness/ natural causes- 23 deaths.”

The IRF President said the the federation, at the World Ranger Congress, at Nepal in November, 2019, set some ambitious actions to professionalise the sector and support those working on the frontline.

He said for rangers around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic had created new challenges and threats, adding that for the most part, rangers had been classified as essential services allowing them to continue their invaluable work.

According to him, rangers need the support of the world and to achieve this, regardless of COVID-19, or not, there is a need for empowered and well supported rangers, operating in a more secure work place, who will become ambassadors for the profession to inspire the next generation.

“We hope that the world takes a greater appreciation of the value of protected and conserved areas and the people who protect them, and realise having a minimum of 30 per cent of the earth protected by 2030 is a real necessity.

” On behalf of IRF and the Board we thank all those that are taking the time to voice their support for rangers. Thanks too must go to all that are running programmes to keep rangers operational and effective through this difficult time.

‘ Finally, a thank you to the ranger families for their support and the sacrifices that they live with continuously and we wish all rangers a celebratory day where every ranger can feel that the role they play is valued.”

Mr Andre Dunn, Wildlife Conservation Society(WCS), Nigeria Project , in his remarks said the current COVID-19 pandemic had added to some of the challenges being faced by rangers.

Dunn, however said it was commendable to note that ranger patrols by the Nigerian National Park Service had not once faltered during this turbulent period.

According to him, with the support from WCS, Rangers are a force for good in Nigeria.

“Ranger teams in Yankari Game Reserve have not lost a single elephant to poaching since 2015.

” Dedicated ranger units in Cross River National Park have drastically reduced poaching of Cross River gorillas, and there has been no record of gorillas killed in Okwangwo since 2008.

“Only constant patrols by courageous rangers in Gashaka Gumti National Park has kept Nigeria’s largest wilderness area safe and secure, free from the scourge of Boko Haram. ”

He,however, noted that Nigerian rangers needed automatic weapons, better training, improved remuneration and better working conditions.

Dunn added that the rangers also needed joint patrols with the army and improved recognition of the work they do to improve security for all Nigerians, not just for wildlife.

“‘ Also confidence that the poachers they risk their lives to arrest will be prosecuted according to the full force of the law, and would not be released to reoffend; zero tolerance for violence or threats of violence against rangers. ”

Gfhnews reports that some rangers from the various national parks across the country shared their experiences and called for provision of more sophisticated equipment and support for effective service delivery.

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Environment

Royal Commonwealth Society Kicks Off Clean Oceans Campaign in Nigeria

Published

3 months ago

July 8, 2025

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC) and Commonwealth Games Nigeria, has officially launched the Clean Oceans Plastic Awareness Campaign in Nigeria, aiming to combat the growing threat of plastic pollution across the Commonwealth.

The campaign was flagged off on Wednesday at Jabi Lake, Abuja, with a strong message of environmental responsibility, especially for Nigeria’s youth.

The initiative is designed to raise awareness about plastic pollution, encourage proper waste disposal, and promote environmental stewardship—particularly around the country’s waterways.
Speaking at the launch, the Country Director and CEO of the Royal Commonwealth Society Nigeria, Mr. Blackson Olaseni Bayewumi, emphasized that the campaign is part of a global Commonwealth-wide effort to curb plastic waste and protect ocean ecosystems.

He highlighted the critical role of sports as a tool for engaging young people and driving meaningful change in environmental behavior.

“The Commonwealth accounts for one-third of the world’s ocean waters, and nearly half of its member countries are Small Island Developing States that suffer disproportionately from plastic pollution,” Bayewumi noted.

According to him, the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign aims to prevent at least one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways.

The campaign blends grassroots education with direct community action, urging people to reduce their plastic footprint, embrace alternatives, and promote cleaner oceans.

A major component of the campaign is its integration with the King’s Baton Relay—a hallmark of the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. In a groundbreaking move, the 2025-2026 relay will spotlight sustainability and environmental protection, beginning with its launch by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace on Commonwealth Day 2025. The Baton Relay is now on a 500-day journey across all Commonwealth nations and territories ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

In each country, including Nigeria, the Baton Relay will bring together youth, athletes, local communities, and environmental groups for a week of activities—most notably, organized plastic clean-up drives.

The urgency of this campaign is underlined by alarming statistics: the world produces 400 million tonnes of plastic every year, with over 12 million tonnes ending up in the oceans.
Without urgent action, scientists predict that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the sea.

Plastic waste poses a deadly threat to marine life—suffocating birds, fish, and mammals while damaging key ecosystems.

Moreover, as plastics break down into microplastics due to ocean erosion and sunlight, they enter our food, water, and even air.

Although the full health implications of microplastics remain unknown, early research suggests they may disrupt vital bodily functions—and there is currently no method to fully remove them from the environment or our bodies.
The campaign supports multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

SDG 12: Responsible, Consumption and ProductionSDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 14: Life Below Water

It also reflects the core principles of the Commonwealth Charter, especially: Article 9: Sustainable Development. Article 10: Protection of the Environment and Article 14: Recognition of the Needs of Small States

As the world grapples with escalating environmental challenges, the Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign represents a significant step in uniting nations, communities, and young leaders under a shared mission: to protect our oceans, preserve biodiversity, and build a cleaner, safer world for future generations.

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