The rangers of the Burunge Wildlife Management Area recently completed an eight-day elite training course to enhance their abilities to combat poaching in a critical wildlife corridor.

Burunge has some 30 rangers, locally known as village game scouts, who protect 280 square kilometres of critical habitat between Tarangire and Lake Manyara national parks. Many of them took part in the intensive training, which covered multiple combat tactics, first aid basics, conservation principles, and many other lessons.

“We are doing this work because it is in our hearts,” said Joseph Mpuki, a Burunge ranger from Vilima Vitatu Village. “Training like this not only teaches us so many new things, it also motivates us.”

Honeyguide Foundation, Big Life Foundation, and the Tanzania People and Wildlife Fund supported the training initiative, as led by Honeyguide’s chairman, Ole Kirimbai, and anti-poaching commander, John Magembe.

At a closing ceremony on December 11, the rangers first took a final written exam and then displayed some of the basic combat and first aid tactics they had learned. Six outstanding rangers also received awards and prizes for their exceptional efforts during training.

“We have made great partners with Honeyguide Foundation and

[others],” said Ramadhan Ismali, who is the chairman of the WMA security committee and who attended the ceremony. “With such partnerships, we will greatly improve our efforts to combat poachers and protect wildlife.”

Burunge rangers simulating arrest of a poacher