Celebrating World Ranger Day [31 July 2024] Meet Theseville Matheunis, a dedicated ranger at Sanparks whose journey from Albert Myburgh Secondary School to safeguarding South Africa's natural heritage spans over 16 years. What began as a passion ignited during workshops on the challenges facing the fishing industry has evolved into a relentless commitment to conservation and wildlife. In his role, Theseville patrols various areas of Agulhas National Park, ensuring the integrity of park assets, conducting data collection, and most crucially, combating illegal activities like abalone poaching. His tenure has been marked by intensive training in emergency medical intervention, firefighting, and anti-poaching tactics, essential for navigating the rugged terrains and confronting threats head-on. Reflecting on memorable moments, Theseville recalls daring rescues of endangered wildlife and the challenges of facing armed poachers outnumbered in the field. His work extends beyond patrolling; it involves fostering partnerships with local communities, respecting different traditions, and educating the community on the vital importance of conservation efforts. When asked about advice for aspiring rangers, he emphasized the importance of education, practical training, physical fitness, and passion. As a message of hope to aspiring rangers, he said, "Depending on your workload, big or small, together we can achieve GREAT things. Stay strong, hopeful, and keep making a difference." For Theseville the most rewarding aspects of his career lie in connecting with nature, wildlife in their habitat, and the ongoing adventure of learning about conservation. As he continues to safeguard South Africa's natural heritage, he remains an inspiring example of dedication and passion in the field of conservation. #WorldRangerDay #SANParks #LiveYourWild #Conservation #WRD24
South African National Parks (SANParks)
Leisure, Travel & Tourism
Pretoria, Gauteng 65,123 followers
#LiveYourWild
About us
South African National Parks is one of the world's leading conservation and scientific research bodies and a leading proponent of maintaining the indigenous natural environment. South African National Parks, (SANParks), manages a system of parks which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, landscapes and associated cultural heritage of the country. Of all the national parks, most have overnight tourist facilities, with an unrivalled variety of accommodation in arid, coastal, mountain and bushveld habitats. National parks offer visitors an unparalleled diversity of adventure tourism opportunities including game viewing, bush walks, canoeing and exposure to cultural and historical experiences. Conferences can also be organised in many of the parks. The national parks are: Addo Elephant, Agulhas, Augrabies, Bontebok, Camdeboo, Garden Route, Golden Gate, Karoo, Kgalagadi, Kruger, Mapungubwe, Marakele, Mokala, Mountain Zebra, Namaqua, Table Mountain,Tankwa Karoo, West Coast and |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld.
- Website
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http://www.sanparks.org
External link for South African National Parks (SANParks)
- Industry
- Leisure, Travel & Tourism
- Company size
- 1,001-5,000 employees
- Headquarters
- Pretoria, Gauteng
- Type
- Government Agency
- Founded
- 1926
Locations
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Primary
643 Leyds Street
Muckleneuk
Pretoria, Gauteng 0001, ZA
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214 Main Road
L'Agulhas
Bredasdorp, Western Cape 7287, ZA
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Skukuza, Mpumalanga 1350, ZA
Employees at South African National Parks (SANParks)
Updates
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23 Tourism Monitors graduate from SA Wildlife College. To make tourism safer and better for visitors, the Department of Tourism (NDT) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) started the National Tourism Monitors Programme in 2018. This three-year plan, supported by the Minister, aimed to place Tourism Monitors in key tourist areas across South Africa. The programme addresses two major issues: strict visa rules and the perception of high crime rates, both of which have slowed down the growth of international tourism. A significant achievement of this programme was celebrated on May 24, 2024, when 23 Tourism Monitors graduated from the South African Wildlife College. #LiveYourWild
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We are #hiring. There are various vacancies available. View more information and apply here: https://buff.ly/3e9MKWw #JobSeekersSA
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Peekaboo! Giant eagle owl.🦉 __ 📷mariaritabpf📍#MapungubweNationalPark #LiveYourWild #SANParks #WildIsOurBackyard
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To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the following rules and regulations as stipulated by South African National Parks: https://buff.ly/3WhW1kt #LiveYourWild #RulesAndRegulations #Safety
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📷tracyknoetze📍#MapungubweNationalPark #LiveYourWild #SANParks #WildIsOurBackyard
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A Ranger's Journey of Inspiration and Fulfillment on World Ranger's Day Meet Mr. Klass Havenga, Senior Section Ranger for the Knysna Section of the Garden Route National Park. "Being a ranger is a calling, much like being a teacher, policeman, or priest. Growing up surrounded by nature, having an interest in and love for it is crucial. Psalm 8 says God gave us dominion over the works of His hands, and therefore we have a responsibility to look after it. This job is not for everyone; you need to love it. It should be a conviction to do this kind of work, not just a career choice because nature is nice. Otherwise, you might as well work in a bank or retail. I chose the solitary life, working and living outside the urban setting. The highlight of my life has been getting married and having two beautiful children, a son and a daughter. My career began in January 1996 as a Forester, and I've witnessed countless memorable events. Seeing a rehabilitated area turn into a forest or old plantations transform back into beautiful fynbos is incredibly rewarding. Conducting controlled burns in fynbos and observing the growth and flowering species afterward is also fulfilling. I'm privileged to see wild animals daily; even small moments like a mongoose crossing the road make my day awesome!" #WorldRangerDay #LiveYourWild #WildIsOurBackyard
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Celebrating World Rangers Day! Meet Bhekani Fortune Mthembu, a proud field ranger at Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). Here's a glimpse into his journey: Inspired by the beauty of TNMP, a park within a City, and his childhood mentor from KwaZulu-Natal, Behekani embarked on his ranger path to protect our natural heritage. "I patrol various areas like Signal Hill, Lions Head and Devils Peak, ensuring visitor safety and battling illegal activities threatening our parks. After 12 years in this role, my most memorable moment was an arrest of Protea poachers on Devils Peak, where quick thinking and teamwork paid off!" Bhekani holds a diploma in Nature Conservation and uses his skills to ensure that park operations runs smoothly. "The most rewarding part about my role as a ranger is working closely with wildlife and contributing to conservation efforts, while educating visitors about our precious ecosystems. Technology like drones and cameras enhance our efforts against poaching and crime, making our conservation work more effective." To aspiring rangers his advice is to volunteer as much as you can, pursue the relevant qualifications, and ignite your passion for nature! Let's continue to inspire, protect, and advocate for our wildlife and environments. He ends off by saying, "Stay strong, stay hopeful, and keep making a difference!" #WorldRangersDay #Conservation #SANParks #LiveYourWild #WRD24 #ProtectOurParks
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New-born zebra in #BontebokNationalPark. 🦓 #LiveYourWild #SANParks #Wildlife #nature #WildIsOurBackyard