Johannesburg – A South African park ranger was gunned down this week in a killing that underscored the dangers faced by conservationists fighting wildlife poaching in the country, the government said on Thursday.
Anton Mzimba, 42, head ranger at the privately run Timbavati game reserve on the boundaries of the Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa, was shot dead outside his home on Tuesday, according to the environmental ministry.
In a statement, the game reserve said it had lost a “rhino warrior, a wildlife guardian… and a true legend”.
While circumstances surrounding the killing are still unclear, UK-based conservation group Helping Rhinos said Mzimba had recently received “death threats”.
South Africa is home to nearly 80% of the world’s rhinos.
But it is also a hotspot for rhino poaching, driven by demand from Asia, where horns are used in traditional medicine for their supposed therapeutic effect.
Mzimba had won several awards for his work spanning over two decades and was featured in a 2022 documentary on efforts to tackle rhino poaching in South Africa.
His death triggered an outpouring of solidarity, including from British royals.
“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the killing of Anton Mzimba who I spoke to in November,” Prince William wrote in a Twitter message.
“Committed and brave, rangers like Anton are central to the conservation of Africa’s fantastic wildlife.”
Prince William called for those responsible to be “swiftly” brought to justice.
South Africa’s government said Mzimba’s murder highlighted the daily dangers faced by rangers protecting the country’s wildlife.
Rhino poachers are increasingly moving away from the famous Kruger National Park to private reserves, said Environmental Affairs minister Barbara Creecy in a statement.
More than 450 rhinos were poached across South Africa in 2021, according to government figures.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Twitter/ @macgregor63
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