By Simon Bradley | SOS Communications and Marketing Officer
Protecting species and enforcing the law in countries where the capacity of government agencies is often limited, means that funding to assist local government to respond to this capacity need is critical. That’s the upshot of a recent update from Laos PDR on Saola ranger training by Alex McWilliam, SOS Grantee working with IUCN Member Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) operating in the Phou Sithone Endangered Species Conservation Area (PST ESCA).
By far the greatest immediate threat to the survival of the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) is unregulated illegal hunting mainly by way of tens of thousands of snares. The loss of habitat is also a challenge for long term Saola conservation, however. Alex explains the project has already established a comprehensive enforcement programme. Forestry and wildlife enforcement nonetheless often involves skills and knowledge that are not common to all rangers.
Leveraging over 10 years’ experience in similar situations, the project team has developed a robust Forestry and Wildlife Enforcement Training Course designed for effective wildlife protection. In late 2014, two 12-day ranger training courses were held in Bolikhamxay Province.
Some 24 people from the PST ESCA including project staff, military, police, forestry officers, and local community members participated in the training. More than 70% of the participants had less than one year experience in their positions as forestry and wildlife enforcement rangers, so the training was hotly anticipated.
The course curriculum includes modules about conservation principles, leadership, navigation, laws and regulations, patrol tactics, first aid, and data management to name a few. Over the last two years Alex’s team has also been developing local trainers who can deliver the course on a repeated basis for ranger personnel in the province.
Each morning the day began at the break of dawn with a physical conditioning session. This included basic stretching, physical exercises and a 3km run. Following breakfast participants began the classroom session for each module. Theses knowledge sessions were then put into practice with exercises designed to allow them to practice what they had just learned.
Upon completion of all 12 modules each participant was then tested and assessed for the complete course content. Assessments included scores for physical fitness, written examinations, practical exercises, motivation and participation.
Only 6 did not pass the examination, but with on-the-job training, Alex is confident team spirit will prevail. “All of those who did not pass the course were local community members with some difficulty reading and writing. So we are considering modifying a version of the course to be delivered verbally in the longer-term.
Forestry and wildlife enforcement teams consist of personnel from multiple agencies, each with a mandate to protect species and forest areas. It is critical that all that all team members maintain the minimum standards for core skills and competencies and they have confidence in each other’s knowledge and ability.
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Protecting threatened species is critical because in so doing we are protecting parts of our life support system. Wildlife and nature supply us with so many basic necessities from food to fuel and shelter, but also inspiration in art, language and design to name but a few examples. Right now we are protecting more than 200 species please contribute to SOS to help us continue to protect more of our natural heritage.
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