Meet our power rangers!
We celebrate World Ranger Day

World Ranger Day took place on 31 July, celebrated worldwide to commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and to celebrate the work Rangers do to protect the planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage.

The 2023 World Ranger Day theme is ’30 by 30‘ based on the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), where a Global Biodiversity Framework was agreed upon by world leaders and decision-makers. Target 3 outlined a requirement that at least 30 per cent of the planet is effectively conserved and managed by 2030 (’30 by 30’).

This target cannot be achieved without adequately resourced and trained area-based workforce.

At the forefront of this workforce are rangers and other protected area workers whose work includes protection, conservation, monitoring, visitor services, fire management, law enforcement, education, community support, and regulation of sustainable use.

Meet our Power Rangers!

Intaka Island currently has six rangers:

Siseko Matshoba is our Eco Centre Operational Assistant  and Senior Ranger. In addition to the normal ranger duties, also oversees the team, liaises with conservation team, overseas water quality and bird monitoring program and manages the Centre in the absence of the Eco Centre Manager. Siseko has a National Diploma in Environmental Management, Skippers License, First aid and is our Aquaponics expert at Intaka. Siseko has a natural fun loving spirit which he uses to motivate his team of Rangers with great success on a daily basis.

Siseko Matshoba
Siseko Matshoba
Reece Carelsen
Reece Carelsen

Reece Carelsen embodies the 3 E’s: energetic, enthusiastic and always extra. His a true steward of nature, graduating at the top of his class and applying his many skills to making a sustainable difference.

Siphokuhle Mnqanqeni has a Diploma in Nature Conservation and a wide range of skills including first aid, snake awareness, firearm competency, basic wildfire fighting and Skippers License. She is a passionate conservationist and believes that a conflict between humans and wildlife can be alleviated through educational programmes.

Siphokuhle Mnqanqeni
Siphokuhle Mnqanqeni
Ncumisa Kholobile
Ncumisa Kholobile

Ncumisa Kholobile has a Diploma in nature conservation. She is a self-driven individual, who believes in utilising the fullness of your potential to reach to greater heights. She is a student of the natural world, just as she is of life and society in large trying to make a difference by bettering the attitudes of people towards our plants and animals.

Robin Flusk (not pictured) has a National Diploma in Nature Conservation, Skippers License, First aid and Snake handling. Robin has a love for educating the general public on how to nurture nature. He is fearless and always has his teams safety at heart.

Ruan Strauss (not pictured) has a Diploma in Nature Conservation with special competencies that include level 3 First aid, Skippers License and snake handling. He is a born conservationist with a love for the environment. The regular visitors know him as Ranger Red always looking out for the interesting things to see on the island. So if there’s anything you need to know, ask Ranger Red!

 

What do our Intaka Island rangers do?

  • Conduct guided tours of Intaka Island and the Eco Centre.
  • Opening and closing of the Eco-Centre at the beginning and end of visiting hours.
  • Conduct reception duties after hours and on weekends, which include answering of telephones, enquiry emails, attending to walk in visitors and operating the till.
  • Assist with general upkeep and preventative maintenance of Eco-Centre.
  • Conduct environmental education programs as part of the education team.
  • Maintenance, upkeep and stock take of education materials.
  • Assist with reporting and general maintenance of Intaka Island wetland, pathways, bird hides etc.
  • Conduct monthly bird and roosting counts.
  • Skipper the Intaka Island Ferries.
  • Conduct guided tours of Century City Canals
  • Responsible for the safety of the boat and all the people on board, and is also responsible for complying with all the relevant rules and regulations.
  • Assist with reporting, general upkeep and preventative maintenance of ferries.
  • Setting up and packing away the venues for various different functions
  • Assistance with any other relevant work within the environmental division.
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