African Wildlife & Environment Issue 82

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

poaching unit is better than its personnel. This award is not only for me and my team, but it is also for our colleagues in wildlife conservation from all over Africa and beyond, including those that have lost their lives in the line of duty I am just a receiver of the award on their behalf.” Anton had started at Timbavati working as a labourer combatting erosion, and because of his leadership qualities which had first been identified by Brian Harris, the Timbavati Warden at the time, he moved into a field ranger role and worked his way through the ranks to eventually head up the ranger services of the reserve. Brian, with his special forces military background, had shown what discipline and good training could achieve in the field ranger ranks, and a crack unit of field rangers was shaped and formed at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. The Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), who trained field rangers, would often use Anton as an integral part of their training programmes, to help select and mould the best field rangers. As the Timbavati general manager/warden at the time, I knew how the ‘powers that be’ at the college had tried to ‘steal’ Anton away; however he was always brutally honest with me and would share everything with me. I never would have held him back if he wanted to go, but he felt bound by his code of honour to continue to lead the Timbavati field rangers. I know that my predecessors at Timbavati, Brian Harris, Scott Ronaldson and Jacques Brits also had others try to ‘steal’ Anton away, but he remained loyal.

with the generous support of sponsors ZEISS and Chinese New Enterprise Investment (CNEI) and are endorsed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, who is committed to the protection of endangered species through the support of his Foundation, is the patron of the Rhino Conservation Awards. We travelled together to Johannesburg, and both Anton and I had to get dressed up in suits for the very posh event. It was akin to being at the Oscars; however, these categories were real-life stories of incredible human beings who were doing something far more than just for fame or personal gain, but being willing to lay all on the line for a far greater cause, which would benefit all of mankind. After the finalists had been read out and Anton was singled out as the man who had won the ‘Best Field Ranger’ award, his humility and dignified way he accepted the award, made me incredibly proud. As quoted by Getaway magazine in 2016 Anton said “No anti Anton, Bryan and Chris Galliers who was the Chairman of the GRAA at the time at the award ceremony in 2016. Chris is now President of the International Ranger Federation (IRF)

The poaching onslaught on the rhino population, which started in earnest in 2010, not only affected the national and provincial parks, but also the private nature reserves. Anton Mzimba was one of the field rangers on the frontline and had been fighting this scourge from the beginning. Not many people

19 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 82 (2022)