To try and ensure that today's young game rangers can follow in the footsteps of older and more experienced conservationists, the International Ranger Federation (IRF) has created the portfolio of "young professional ranger." Those individuals that fall into this category are singled out for special training and exposure to the conservation ideals of the IRF and its sister body, the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA). Marius Fuls, a ranger based in a big five reserve near Hoedspruit, has been chosen as the IRF and GRAA representative for the continent of Africa.
Marius has been invited to attend the fifth IRF World Congress in Scotland this June. The congress has the theme of "People and Place - the natural connection" and the young professional representatives there plan to set up a communication network and host a workshop on their role in conservation. Unfortunately, Marius has not been able to find sufficient funding to attend the congress.
He is looking for sponsorship to make the journey to help do his part in fulfilling his role as an emerging professional ranger and in conservation as a whole. Anyone wishing to lend financial support to Marius to send him to the ranger congress can contact him on 015 769 6057 or email struwig@xpoint.co.za. GRAA chairman Tim Snow can also be contacted for more information on 082 463 4104 or email snowman@ewt.org.za.
