WHAT DOES THE PROJECT DO?
During the last five years, poaching in South Africa on privately owned game farms and provincial reserves has increased drastically, and as a result many wild animals are being indiscriminately killed by commercial bush meat poachers. In a country that has been termed "megadiverse" due to its extraordinary levels of biodiversity, there is an urgent need for action to prevent the continuing decline in species such as leopards and Black Rhinos, which are endemic to South Africa and are now classified as critically endangered.
As poaching increases, the interest from conservation departments and the criminal justice system seems to be declining. This leaves a situation where rare and endangered species are not protected from the cruelty of poaching, and many injured and orphaned animals are left as victims of the increased level of poaching incidents.
Game Rangers play a vitally important role in protecting the wildlife from poaching, but also contributing to resolving the prevalent human-wildlife conflict on the borders of parks. The socioeconomic research and conflict mitigation that will also form part of the course plays a highly significant role in enabling local communities to live harmoniously with the local wildlife. You will be contributing to efforts to conserve the wildlife of the area, as well as ensuring that sustainable, long term measures are put in place that are mutually beneficial to local indigenous communities.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
The course consists of lectures and theoretical work as well as practical field work and game drives. You will be working on projects run by the trainers, where you’ll acquire new knowledge about all the local animals and birds, as well as applying the theory that you have learnt in your lectures. You will cover the full 14 modules of the FGASA level one syllabus which includes studies on birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, insects, plants, freshwater fish, basic geology, basic ecology, basic taxonomy, astronomy, animal behaviour, weather and climate, advanced level first aid, guiding legislation, guiding principles and techniques, introduction to nature guiding, communications and customer care. Please note that this is a course and you will be studying quite intensively at times! By the end of your time in South Africa you will have a fantastic new wealth of knowledge, and the qualification to prove this.
When the conditions are favourable, you will also get the chance to go on early morning bushwalks, where you can see all of the animals preparing themselves for the day ahead. You will also get the chance to spend several full days at the Kruger National Park, as well as completing a short first aid course specially designed to tackle problems encountered whilst exploring the bush.
At the start of the course, you will be working hard, studying and constantly discovering new and interesting facts about the landscapes and nature surrounding you. You will undoubtedly have countless questions, and your guides will always be there to help you discover the answers. As the course progresses, your newly acquired knowledge will gradually open your mind, and lead you to think about the environment in a different way. This progression will ensure that you are prepared for your final examination at the end of the course.
We recommend you bring field guides to the mammals and birds of Kruger if you have them. It would also be an advantage to have a manual driving license, although this is not an absolute necessity.
What Next? Apply Now!
