Who are the rangers
of Masai-Mara?
Essentially, rangers are like the police, but their main task is to protect nature. The Maasai Mara is the largest reserve in Kenya: it covers more than 1 800 square kilometres and is home to a vast number of rare and very rare animal species. Several teams of rangers ensure the protection of all animals without exception. Rhinos receive the closest attention. Unfortunately, only 55 of them remain in such a vast area. Until recently, there were 56, but poachers managed to kill one adult male. Poachers are after the horn.
To become a ranger, one needs to get an education. It takes at least three years to train for this job. Specifically in the Maasai Mara, only a local Maasai person can become a ranger. I’m trusted with this work only because: first, I have extensive experience in a similar role in Russia and have a lot to share; second, I know the area and the animals very well; and third, everyone knows how much I love this job. Of course, I can’t do this on a permanent basis, although who knows — maybe the time will come…
So, what do we actually do here?
Rangers patrol the park’s territory 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I work with a team that’s specially assigned to protect rhinos. The approximate location of all the animals is known. Therefore, every day at 5:00 am we set out to locate each one. Of course, it’s impossible to count all the rhinos in a single day, but we can spot every single one within a week. We see them, take photos, mark their location, and move on.
If we notice that an animal is injured or sick, we report it to the national wildlife authority, the Kenya Wildlife Service. Only they have the right to carry out any intervention in the wild.
To become a ranger, one needs to get an education. It takes at least three years to train for this job. Specifically in the Maasai Mara, only a local Maasai person can become a ranger. I’m trusted with this work only because: first, I have extensive experience in a similar role in Russia and have a lot to share; second, I know the area and the animals very well; and third, everyone knows how much I love this job. Of course, I can’t do this on a permanent basis, although who knows — maybe the time will come…
So, what do we actually do here?
Rangers patrol the park’s territory 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I work with a team that’s specially assigned to protect rhinos. The approximate location of all the animals is known. Therefore, every day at 5:00 am we set out to locate each one. Of course, it’s impossible to count all the rhinos in a single day, but we can spot every single one within a week. We see them, take photos, mark their location, and move on.
If we notice that an animal is injured or sick, we report it to the national wildlife authority, the Kenya Wildlife Service. Only they have the right to carry out any intervention in the wild.
The most serious attention is paid to monitoring illegal movement within the park. All tourists and their vehicles inside the park are registered, and if rangers spot an unidentified vehicle, it must be checked — it could be poachers.
Poachers target more than just rhinos. I’d even say that only the most desperate criminal would dare to kill a rhino. The killers of the latest victim were caught within a week. All resources of the Maasai Mara and neighbouring Serengeti parks were deployed for the search. In addition, the police, the army (with helicopters) and local residents took part in the operation.
Mostly, poachers hunt wildebeest and buffalo to sell the meat at the market. Sometimes, young leopards, lion cubs and cheetah cubs become victims. They are sold to private zoos, or sometimes raised to be later sold to hunters.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to guard the entire park territory. There aren’t enough people and equipment. It’s unrealistic to provide round‑the‑clock protection for every rhino, cheetah (there are only about 65 of them left, by the way), leopard or lion. Therefore, there’s little chance of saving an animal’s life if someone decides to kill it. That’s why a very important task for rangers is to track down criminals so they can be brought to justice. In Kenya, killing wild animals carries a life sentence!
Thanks to the rangers’ persistent efforts, poachers have become less and less willing to take risks over the past 10 years. As a result, the number of crimes has dropped sharply, and the populations of many rare animals have started to grow. Yes, it’s a very long process, but it has become possible thanks to brave and dedicated people.
I’d like to say a few words about weapons separately. Many people believe that weapons are needed for protection against animals — and that’s both true and false. Unfortunately, there have been cases where an animal had to be killed to save the lives of careless tourists who violated the rules of conduct in the reserve, but these are very rare instances. The rangers’ task is to prevent any violations in order to avoid potential animal attacks. Generally speaking, animals steer clear of humans and won’t attack unprovoked.
Coming back to the issue of arming rangers, I’ll say that the main reason for carrying weapons is poachers.
Apart from poachers, as I’ve already mentioned, tourists cause huge problems. Rangers have to monitor their behaviour in the park. Tourists often break every possible rule, disturb the animals and put themselves at risk of being bitten. I’ve told you about some unpleasant incidents — and to prevent them from happening again, rangers have to spend a great deal of valuable time on this.
Speaking of dangers: I’ve never had to chase armed poachers myself, and probably the biggest threat I’ve faced in my career has come from tourists — especially those from China and India. They can be extremely aggressive when you reprimand them or try to issue a fine for violations. Some time ago, a Chinese tourist killed a person for being reprimanded. So there is a risk even from tourists.
Animals pose the least threat. Both rangers and tourists are safe when inside a vehicle. However, we often have to work in open fields, and in such cases there’s a real risk of being attacked. To be honest, a rifle won’t help much if a leopard or a pair of lionesses jumps out of the bushes at you — you won’t even have time to say “mom”.
In addition to working directly with wildlife, rangers often have to act as a rescue service. There are several small villages within the reserve’s territory, and many hotel staff also live there. From time to time, various everyday emergencies occur — and rangers always rush to help locals and tourists.
Rangers are also trained to provide first aid. Given that a doctor can’t reach a patient quickly in these parts, a ranger’s assistance can literally save a life.
That’s what this interesting, beautiful and very meaningful job is all about…
Poachers target more than just rhinos. I’d even say that only the most desperate criminal would dare to kill a rhino. The killers of the latest victim were caught within a week. All resources of the Maasai Mara and neighbouring Serengeti parks were deployed for the search. In addition, the police, the army (with helicopters) and local residents took part in the operation.
Mostly, poachers hunt wildebeest and buffalo to sell the meat at the market. Sometimes, young leopards, lion cubs and cheetah cubs become victims. They are sold to private zoos, or sometimes raised to be later sold to hunters.
Unfortunately, it’s not possible to guard the entire park territory. There aren’t enough people and equipment. It’s unrealistic to provide round‑the‑clock protection for every rhino, cheetah (there are only about 65 of them left, by the way), leopard or lion. Therefore, there’s little chance of saving an animal’s life if someone decides to kill it. That’s why a very important task for rangers is to track down criminals so they can be brought to justice. In Kenya, killing wild animals carries a life sentence!
Thanks to the rangers’ persistent efforts, poachers have become less and less willing to take risks over the past 10 years. As a result, the number of crimes has dropped sharply, and the populations of many rare animals have started to grow. Yes, it’s a very long process, but it has become possible thanks to brave and dedicated people.
I’d like to say a few words about weapons separately. Many people believe that weapons are needed for protection against animals — and that’s both true and false. Unfortunately, there have been cases where an animal had to be killed to save the lives of careless tourists who violated the rules of conduct in the reserve, but these are very rare instances. The rangers’ task is to prevent any violations in order to avoid potential animal attacks. Generally speaking, animals steer clear of humans and won’t attack unprovoked.
Coming back to the issue of arming rangers, I’ll say that the main reason for carrying weapons is poachers.
Apart from poachers, as I’ve already mentioned, tourists cause huge problems. Rangers have to monitor their behaviour in the park. Tourists often break every possible rule, disturb the animals and put themselves at risk of being bitten. I’ve told you about some unpleasant incidents — and to prevent them from happening again, rangers have to spend a great deal of valuable time on this.
Speaking of dangers: I’ve never had to chase armed poachers myself, and probably the biggest threat I’ve faced in my career has come from tourists — especially those from China and India. They can be extremely aggressive when you reprimand them or try to issue a fine for violations. Some time ago, a Chinese tourist killed a person for being reprimanded. So there is a risk even from tourists.
Animals pose the least threat. Both rangers and tourists are safe when inside a vehicle. However, we often have to work in open fields, and in such cases there’s a real risk of being attacked. To be honest, a rifle won’t help much if a leopard or a pair of lionesses jumps out of the bushes at you — you won’t even have time to say “mom”.
In addition to working directly with wildlife, rangers often have to act as a rescue service. There are several small villages within the reserve’s territory, and many hotel staff also live there. From time to time, various everyday emergencies occur — and rangers always rush to help locals and tourists.
Rangers are also trained to provide first aid. Given that a doctor can’t reach a patient quickly in these parts, a ranger’s assistance can literally save a life.
That’s what this interesting, beautiful and very meaningful job is all about…
