IUCN WCPA INTERNATIONAL RANGER AWARD

Eight years ago ASA donated and trained four Anti poaching dogs to be deployed at the Save Valley conservancy, Zimbabwe under the care of Bryce Clemence. These dogs and rangers have just been internationally recognised for their work. Anti-Poaching Tracking Specialists (ATS) team, whose tireless work in the Savé Valley Conservancy in south eastern Zimbabwe has dismantled dozens of notorious rhino poaching syndicates, has won the IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award at the Africa Protected Area Congress in Rwanda. The ATS team was honoured in Rwanda by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), together with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In total, seven individual rangers and three ranger teams, from 10 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australasia were acknowledged for going beyond the call of duty to protect the earth’s wild places and wildlife, and to support local communities. Bryce Clemence, Director and Head Ranger of ATS said the specialist unit was “incredibly honoured to receive the WCPA International Ranger Award. Thank you to the IUCN, to Wild and to the Game Rangers Association of Africa for this recognition.”Andrew Campbell, Director of the Game Rangers Association of Africa said the ATS K9 unit is one of the most active and results oriented rhino anti-poaching organisations in Southern Africa. The K9 unit has been responsible for captures totalling 189 years in prison for poaching.