Selected Careers in Conservation

Anti-poaching Ranger Lucky Ndlovu – South Africa

Lucky is employed by South Africa National Parks (SANParks). He is a Sergeant. He leads a team of sixteen Field Rangers, based at the Kingfisherspruit Ranger Station in Kruger National Park. His team is responsible for patrolling 95,000 hectares of bush, an area that is home to all the Big Five species – lion, elephant, leopard, rhino, and buffalo.

Lucky and his team patrol the bush on foot, searching for signs and evidence of poachers. When they find tracks, they follow them, helped by their two dogs. The rangers are dedicated, fit, brave, use investigative and decisionmaking skills, team-work and great bush-craft. Lucky is a tactical specialist - he applies his understanding of poachers, his knowledge of terrain, his bush skills and persistence to achieve results. Lucky’s team halved the rate of poaching in just three years.

“I am proud to have been a Wildlife Ranger in the Kruger National Park. I started in 1992 and was promoted through the ranks from Lance Corporal, to become Sergeant in 2016.”

Lucky was promoted because his team caught and arrested two senior people for poaching - a Regional Ranger and State Veterinary Technician. They showed amazing strength of character and did not give into pressure from people around them. They worked out where evidence was hidden and searched 12km of road until they found tracks that led to the discovery of vital evidence in the case. The arrests reduced poaching tremendously in the area. His commanding officer said “I have commanded many men in my time and participated in 14 armed conflicts. Lucky is one of the most skilful and effective tactical specialists of my time.”

“This is our place. It’s where our children grow up. Our fathers left the rhino here for us to see. We must leave them for our children to see.”