Conservation Players Team Up on the World Ranger Day
The stakeholders highlighted wildlife protection success stories at Burunge Wildlife Management Area in Manyara Region, Tanzania, ascribing them to rangers.
FRIDAY August 1, 2025
By Mussa Juma
The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania
In a powerful show of unity and progress, the Tanzania Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA), Chem Chem Association, and the Babati District Council, jointly commemorated World Ranger Day on Thursday July 31, 2025, acknowledging vital role rangers play in conserving wildlife and ecosystems across the country.
Held within Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Manyara Region, the commemoration saw teams of the men and women in uniforms from TAWA, Chem Chem, and the district council practically displaying their day-to-day work.
This year’s global theme – Rangers: Guardians of Change in Conservation – resonated well with leaders’ reflection on key conservation milestones achieved through collaboration.
Conservation Bears Fruit: Wildlife on the Rise
Mr James Misuka, a Grade I Ranger from TAWA, reported that ranger-led efforts had significantly increased wildlife populations, especially of elephants, in the Burunge area, boosting the local tourism economy.
“Tourism revenue is now invested in schools, roads, healthcare, and water supply to support community development, making conservation benefits become even more tangible than in the past,” Misuke said.
Chem Chem Champions Gender Equality and Tech in Protection
Napendaeli Wazoeli, Community Development Manager at Chem Chem, emphasized the organisation’s commitment to inclusive conservation.
“Our ranger team embodies gender equity and has integrated modern technologies in field operations. We are proud of our highly skilled female rangers like Brenda and Nasra, who are setting new standards in wildlife protection,” she said.
Wazoeli added that the strong collaboration in conservation and anti-poaching among Chem Chem, TAWA, and the Babati District Council had significantly reduced human-elephants conflicts which were once a major challenge in the area.
Joint Successes and Ranger Resilience
Chem Chem’s Head Ranger Hamis Chamkuru lauded the recognition leaderships showed during the celebration saying it motivates the tough work rangers perform daily.
“Since 2017, our integrated approach has drastically reduced poaching and habitat destruction. We’ve dismantled major poaching networks and brought several offenders to justice,” he explained.
Godluck Kalambane, Wildlife Officer for Babati District, praised the synergy between rangers and local communities, describing it as the cornerstone of conservation achievements.
Women Rangers Call for Courage and Participation
Brenda Julius, a female ranger, used the commemoration for inspiring more women to join the profession. “Wildlife protection isn’t just a man’s job, it’s about courage and passion for our national resources,” said she, stressing: “Women should not shy away from this noble work.”
A Global Day with Deep Local Meaning
World Ranger Day, first observed on July 31, 1992, in The UK, and formally adopted globally in 2007 by the International Ranger Federation (IRF), is a day to honour those who protect the planet’s natural treasures—often at great personal risks.
As Tanzania continues leading regional efforts in sustainable wildlife conservation, the Burunge celebration served as a poignant reminder that protecting nature is a shared duty, one that yields both environmental and socio-economic benefitsΩ
