Gamekeeper training in SADC Region II

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The member states of the SADC region have been developing 18 transboundary terrestrial protected areas (TFCAs) since 2013, 6 of which were established by a signed protocol or an interstate treaty. TFCAs are therefore playing an increasingly important role in the SADC region in managing critical ecosystems and key animal species across borders, implementing the concept of biodiversity conservation through sustainable use and promoting the foundations of developing cross-border tourism. However, due to insufficient training capacities and financial resources, the SADC region lacks game rangers (WMRs) with the skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of managing TFCAs. In 2011, SADC pledged EUR 10.0 million to sustainably support and finance game ranger training in the SADC region. As agreed in government negotiations in July 2013, the project will initially focus on training WMRs for the Great Limpopo and KAZA transboundary protected areas. In November 2013, the module proposal was submitted as a reserve test for the wildlife ranger training program with a total volume of EUR 25.0 million and a first phase of EUR 10.0 million. (BMZ No. 2011 66 685). With the government commitment of EUR 5.0 million in 2019, the project will be expanded and continued to train additional wildlife rangers in KAZA, Great Limpopo and the Malawi-Zambia TFCA. The aim of the FC measure is to ensure that a sufficient number of well-trained wildlife managers and rangers are available in the SADC region who are able to successfully manage cross-border protected areas. The focus of the FC measures is on improving the training offer, including through the expansion of the corresponding infrastructure and financial support for the demand for training for WMR.