Game Ranger

Job overview
Today great emphasis is placed on the conservation and management of natural resources.

Game rangers play an important role in the protection and utilisation of nature.

What do people do in this job?
Apart from managing game parks and reserves, game rangers are involved in environmental issues such as giving advice on road planning, handling relationships with neighbouring communities and monitoring environmental impacts.

In addition they are concerned with promoting a perspective towards environmental management which takes all the different aspects into consideration.

Game rangers perform various tasks such as capturing game, culling, monitoring game movements and fencing. In addition they give support to research projects designed by scientists.

Game rangers are also responsible for law enforcement and sometimes take tourists on guided tours.

Nature conservation scientists design research projects which emerge from potential problems in reserves or private land and which require management solutions.

Investigations call for extensive planning, reading, fieldwork and data analysis.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
Prospective game rangers must have a practical knowledge of and love for nature.

They must be willing to work very hard and be able to use a firearm.

Fitness and good health are essential.

They must be able to communicate well with other people and should have a working knowledge of a country's main languages.

Game rangers need to be able to adjust to the quiet life of being out in the field all day, but at the same time enjoy people.

Serious dedication is needed because nature conservation posts are much in demand.

What qualifications are needed?
Good school-leaving results in science subjects, particularly biology, preferably strengthened by part-time tertiary studies.