SANParks promises more boots on the ground

SANParks plans to put more rangers into Table Mountain National Park and expand an elite unit to bolster the fight against environmental crimes on land and sea and protect park visitors and tourists.

So says SANParks manager Property Mokoena, who spoke at an event on World Ranger Day, Wednesday July 31, to honour fallen and serving rangers for their efforts to conserve and protect our natural and cultural heritage.

SANParks rangers and honorary rangers, City officials, Cape Nature representatives and residents attended the function in Tokai that included drills by Sea, Air and Mountain (SEAM) special operations rangers and the dog unit.

Remembering the late Johan Taljaard, a SANParks regional manager who died earlier this year, Asiphe Ranana, a section ranger for Agulhas National Park, read the honour roll, stating that 66 rangers across 18 African countries had died since last year.

Mr Mokoena said the country’s national parks owed their protection to rangers.

“Each of these parks is a sanctuary for unique ecosystems, endangered species and for treasured cultural heritage sites. It's a beacon of hope for social, economic benefits in which they provide to communities who live around these national parks.”

Table Mountain National Park was known for its breathtaking landscapes and iconic tourist attractions, but it also faced unique challenges that demanded innovative solutions, he said.

“To match these challenges, we've employed both terrestrial and marine rangers as well as the SEAM team. This is the elite team, which consists of 16 operators. People who are working behind the scenes with the k9 unit.

“We are proud to inform you that this team has seven members in the operations room, all women, who gather and analyse information to coordinate various deployments across the park.

“The SEAM team working together with the rangers, local law enforcement authorities and local stakeholders are equipped to address a wide range of challenges from crimes to visitor-safety operations. This unit embodies the fusion of advanced technologies and dedicated personnel ensuring a comprehensive protection for our diverse natural environment.”

According to Mr Mokoena, SANParks is set to increase the number of rangers across sections of Table Mountain and expand the SEAM unit to mount an effective response to both terrestrial and marine environmental crime and to threats against tourists and park users.

Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin thanked the rangers protecting our national parks and all the organisations that supported them.

“During the 21 years of working within many different national parks, I've witnessed first-hand the skills, the passion, the dedication of our rangers, often working in very difficult and challenging conditions. Here in the Western Cape, it's in the rain, in the heat, in fire, in strong wind and sometimes all of those in one day. So even despite those conditions, the rangers go out there and they do their job.”