In advance of World Ranger Day on Saturday, July 31, African Wildlife Foundation is shining a light on the crucial role that women play in protecting wildlife and local communities in Africa.
With AWF’s release today of a new film short, The Peacekeepers, along with announcements that Kenya Wildlife Service has selected AWF Community Development Officer Mary Wangio Wanyika and Wildlife Law Enforcement Senior Manager Didi Wamukoya as an honorary wardens, there is much to be celebrated, and many African women to hold up as examples.
The Peacekeepers film examines the dangers and tireless work of a group of female wildlife rangers in Zimbabwe to protect their communities, local farmers and natural resources to conserve their African heritage of wildlife and wildlands as well.
From female ranger units, to employing female canine handlers in AWF’s Canines for Conservation program, the success of women in African conservation is immeasurable.
AWF Community Development Officer Mary Wangio Wanyika understands first-hand the challenges that communities face in wildlife-rich protected areas and conservation communities.
Born and raised in Tsavo – a region of Kenya known for its transboundary landscapes with Uganda and two national parks (Tsavo East and Tsavo West) – Wanyika engages local youth groups, ranches and small farmers to embrace a conservation mindset built on local sustainable development. She works closely with Kenya Wildlife Service teams to create community awareness and decrease human-wildlife conflict.
Mary Wangio Wanyika said: “My childhood growing up in Tsavo had a huge influence on my career path. I believe I’m living proof that young African women can play leading roles in community development and conservation to bring about changes in attitudes and behaviors. World Ranger Day offers an opportunity to recognize my counterparts and others who have dedicated their lives to conservation and the protection of their local resources and heritage.”
Similarly, AWF Wildlife Law Enforcement Senior Manager Didi Wamukoya understands the pressure of being a woman on the front lines of conservation in law enforcement. Working previously for Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya’s Public Complaints Committee, she puts in long hours and has struggled at times to be respected as a woman in her senior role.
Didi Wamukoya said: “I am proud to be an African woman leading efforts to help end wildlife crime every day. World Ranger Day provides us with an opportunity to support and give back to our colleagues. Today, we re-affirm our overarching goal to protect endangered wildlife and wildlands, while improving the socio-economic well-being of African countries across the continent.
Wamukoya’s tireless efforts at KWS manifested in the creation of the first dedicated unit to wildlife crime, which significantly increased conviction rate of wildlife offenders. At AWF, she created the first Wildlife Trafficking Law Enforcement Unit, which has bolstered wildlife enforcement efforts across Africa and assisted in halting the illegal trafficking of wildlife products.
Wamukoya continued: “Our team at AWF works outside-the-box in protected areas and local communities to enhance traditional wildlife law enforcement, but we also help law enforcement agencies build capacity to conduct wildlife cybercrime investigations. Our programs utilize the newest techniques to analyze information stored online and on mobile devices. We help train rangers, customs officials, and other law enforcers in African countries to connect the dots in the illegal wildlife trafficking chain so they can track down and arrest the kingpins more rapidly and efficiently.”
In recognition of the AWF leaders’ service and dedication to the wellbeing of local communities in Africa, Kenyan Wildlife Service recently bestowed on them the title of honorary warden. This provides new opportunities and platforms for both women to share her expertise and collaborate with other wardens in the field to boost conservation efforts, resource mobilization, and tourism promotion.
As an Honorary Wardens, Didi and Mary become ambassadors for the Kenya Wildlife Service among communities in the Tsavo landscape. Importantly, their appointment underscores the shared mission of AWF and the wildlife management authority to nurture community buy-in for conservation.
Like Mary and Didi, the women rangers profiled in The Peacekeepers worked hard to overcome stereotypes, break the mold for women in conservation roles, and earn the trust and confidence of local communities. They serve as more proof in the ability of African women to succeed in a male-dominated field. (End)