Antipoaching Guide for Field Rangers

In 2015 I was living in Tanzania and was lucky to meet Wayne Lotter and Krissie Clark, two conservationist who had been working for years in East Africa in antipoaching campaigns. They invited me to contribute writing the legal section of the publication entitled "Anti-poaching in and around protected areas: Training guidelines for field rangers." I immediately accepted the invitation. The Guide was published a year later.

Sadly, Wayne was murdered in August 2017 by criminals involved in illegal poaching because of his successful campaigns. He was a leading figure in fighting ivory trafficking and training game rangers, having received numerous death threats prior to his killing.

The Guide, sponsored by IUCN and the International Ranger Federation, is a comprehensive best practice manual designed to professionalize the training of rangers on the front lines of conservation. The document serves as an international benchmark for the scope and standards required to effectively equip field rangers to control wildlife poaching while maximizing their personal safety.

The core of the document focuses on several key areas:

• Competence-Based Training: The guidelines move away from rank-based instruction, focusing instead on the specific skills and knowledge a ranger must demonstrate to be proficient in the field.

  Safety and Tactical Proficiency: Recognizing that over 1,000 rangers have been killed in the last decade, the manual provides detailed training on field craft, tracking, situational awareness, and operational security to help rangers survive encounters with increasingly sophisticated poaching syndicates.

• Legal and Ethical Frameworks: Significant emphasis is placed on ensuring that all anti-poaching actions are rooted in the rule of law. This includes training in wildlife protection legislation, the collection of evidence, proper arresting procedures, and the protection of human rights.

  Community Collaboration: The guidelines advocate for a proactive approach to conservation by building positive relationships with local communities to address the root causes of poaching.

  Standardized Evaluation: It provides specific assessment criteria for various modules—ranging from first aid and weapon handling to witness testimony—to ensure trainees meet a high level of international competence.

The Guide remains as relevant today as when it was published 10 years ago. You can download it here