ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - A - THE TIGER (Panthera tigris)

[Apex Titan]

In my previous post, I mentioned the expertise of wildlife ranger & Chief forest inspector - Yuri Kya, who's the engineer of forest protection and forestry activities in the Bolshekhekhtsirsky Reserve in the Khabarovsk region. Yuri Kya is the leader of a ranger force responsible for protecting and conserving the wildlife species and forest. Meaning, he's the top ranger. He's also a master tracker. Yuri Kya would easily be able to accurately measure, estimate and determine the size of an animal, and it's paw size or tracks.

Yuri Kya is a native from the Udege tribe, he was born and bred in the Ussuri region and comes from (many thousands of years) countless generations of taiga peoples/woodsmen.

Ranger's regularly venture into places in the wild, where biologists (referring to western biologists in particular, not Russians) never go. Forest rangers are expert guides and expert trackers, who intimately know the behaviour, habits, diet, and territories of the wildlife.

Biologists often rely on rangers like Yuri Kya to guide them in the forest, biologists & scientific researchers also learn about the flora and fauna from forest rangers, as rangers are generally much more experienced and knowledgeable about the forest and wildlife. Rangers play the most crucial role in wildlife conservation, because they always work on the front line protecting the animals and ecosystems.

Unlike biologists and researchers, rangers are constantly patrolling and roaming the forest, day in and day out. They see things that many biologists never see. When locals come into conflict with the wildlife, rangers are contacted to deal with the situation. No one know's more about the wildlife and forests than a ranger does.

Here's a recent article I found, published on July 30, 2024, to celebrate World Ranger Day, and to appreciate the great work and vital role rangers play in wildlife conservation.

What's a Ranger? A Look into the Lives of Wildlife Rangers

Across the globe, an inspiring force of dedicated conservationists stands by the side of wildlife species. Scaling mountains, traversing rivers, and braving dense jungles, these individuals safeguard the planet’s 40 species of wild cats and countless other creatures: they are rangers. Wildlife rangers are indispensable champions in the global effort to preserve Earth's biodiversity.

Panthera plays a crucial role in this mission by providing vital support to rangers and patrols worldwide, ensuring the protection of precious wildlife. In Malaysia, for example, a study found that tactices developed by PERHILITAN (Malaysia’s Department of Parks and Wildlife) tactics in conjunction with Panthera’s civilian scout teams, reduced the success of foreign poaching incursions in research sites by up to 40 percent.

Despite these achievements, numerous misconceptions persist about wildlife rangers and their roles. In honor of World Ranger Day, we're providing an insightful glimpse into the daily lives of these crucial conservationists. 

Where Do Rangers Roam?

A ranger protects and preserves natural areas, including areas that have cultural and historical value. 

What Tasks Do Rangers Perform?

Rangers patrol protected lands, prevent poaching and mitigate human-wildlife conflict, accommodate tourists who visit the area and collaborate with local communities. 

How Do Rangers Track Wildlife?

Rangers monitor and record wildlife populations while protecting their landscapes. 

How Do Rangers Help Wild Cats?

For the 40 wild cat species, rangers ensure their survival by protecting them, other wildlife that these felines depend upon, and maintaining the overall biodiversity of the area. 

How Can You Get Involved?

To learn more about rangers, visit the Universal Ranger Support Alliance or read our past blogs about rangers. 

https://panthera.org/blog-post/whats-ran...fe-rangers

Yuri Kya (Chief forest inspector & wildlife ranger) next to the statue of the legendary (Indigenous) Nanai trapper, forest guide, and hunter - Dersu Uzala:

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply