Across Africa, rangers stand on the frontline of conservation every day, protecting wildlife, safeguarding ecosystems, supporting communities and responding to an ever-growing range of threats. As climate change, organised wildlife crime, armed conflict and increasing human-wildlife interactions place immense pressure on protected areas, the role of rangers has never been more important – or more dangerous.

Today, we remember the 78 African rangers who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year. Globally, the International Ranger Federation (IRF) has recorded 147 on-duty ranger deaths across 40 countries, a sobering reminder that protecting nature remains one of the world’s most dangerous professions.

Most concerning is that 45% of all ranger deaths recorded in Africa were the result of homicide, making deliberate violence the leading cause of death for African rangers. These figures reflect the increasingly hostile environments in which many rangers operate and the urgent need to better equip, protect and support those who protect our natural heritage.

Four years after the murder of ranger Anton Mzimba, justice has yet to be served. Anton’s story represents a wider reality across Africa: too many attacks on rangers go unpunished, reinforcing why those on the frontlines need greater protection, support and accountability.

World Ranger Day is about remembrance, but it must also be about responsibility.

If society expects rangers to stand on the frontline against biodiversity loss, climate change, environmental crime and growing security threats, then we must stand behind them.

Supporting rangers means far more than recognising their sacrifice. It means ensuring they return home safely to their families by providing fair remuneration, safe and hygienic living conditions, adequate support on patrol, quality equipment, professional standards, leadership development, appropriate insurance, and the physical and mental health support and long-term investment in their wellbeing.

Ranger welfare is not an optional extra; it is fundamental to effective conservation.

Through the Ranger Welfare and Standards Initiative, and our RangerProtect, we continue to advocate for a minimum standard of on-duty protection for every ranger in Africa. Considering the risks rangers face daily, every ranger should have access to death, disability and emergency support that provides assurance and security when the worst happens.

At the same time, GRAA is advancing a more holistic vision of ranger wellbeing. Physical safety alone is not enough. Rangers working in remote, high-risk and emotionally demanding environments require support for their mental, physical and emotional health if they are to remain resilient, effective and capable throughout their careers.

As threats evolve, so too must the way we support those protecting our planet.

This year, GRAA reached a significant milestone in the professionalisation of Africa’s ranger workforce with the launch of the Ranger Training Guidelines, establishing a continent-wide framework for consistent, appropriate and high-quality ranger training and development.

Investment in rangers must be driven by frontline realities, not just funding priorities. Rangers know the challenges they face and the support they need to work safely and effectively. Conservation outcomes improve when investment is shaped by their experience and directed where it is needed most.

Recognition also remains a powerful form of support.

Through the African Conservation Awards, GRAA celebrates the extraordinary achievements, professionalism and leadership of Africa’s rangers, shining a light on individuals whose dedication often goes unseen despite their immense contribution to conservation and society.

“Every day, Africa’s rangers sacrifice so much to protect our wildlife, ecosystems and communities. Yet too many continue to do this work without the protection, support and recognition they deserve. World Ranger Day reminds us that behind every conservation success story is a ranger. If we truly value nature, we must value those who protect it. Because when we invest in rangers, we strengthen conservation. And when conservation succeeds, both people and nature thrive, for generations to come.” Louise de Bruin, Chief Executive Officer, Game Rangers’ Association of Africa.

On this World Ranger Day, GRAA calls on governments, donors, conservation organisations, the private sector and the public to stand with Africa’s rangers, not only in words, but through meaningful investment in their safety, welfare, professional development and recognition.

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“African Wild Dogs are one of the most fascinating animals to observe and learn about. Their social bonds, resilience, and intelligence make them truly unique,” says Didi Mahlo, field ranger at the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve. “This World Wild Dog Day, we want to inspire South Africans to celebrate and protect these animals, because they are an essential part of our natural heritage.”

As part of its mission to protect wildlife and educate the public, the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve shares 10 fascinating facts about African Wild Dogs and encourages readers to visit the reserve to see these incredible animals up close.

They Are Not Actually “Dogs”

African wild dogs belong to the genus Lycaon. This makes them a distinct species from domestic dogs and other canids like wolves and jackals. Their scientific name, Lycaon pictus, translates to “painted wolf,” a reference to their unique coat.

Every Dog Has a Unique Coat

No two African wild dogs have the same coat pattern. Their chaotic, colourful blotches of yellow, brown, black, and white are like human fingerprints and can be used by researchers to identify individual dogs.

They Are One of Africa’s Most Endangered Carnivores

With an estimated population of only about 6,600 adults, African wild dogs are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. They face threats from habitat loss, human conflict, and infectious diseases from domestic dogs.

They Have a 90% Hunting Success Rate

African wild dogs are incredibly efficient hunters, with a success rate far higher than lions or cheetahs. This is due to their exceptional teamwork and stamina, which allows them to outlast their prey in long, high-speed chases.

They Vote on Hunts by “Sneezing”

Before a hunt, pack members perform a ritual that involves a series of social sneezes. Researchers believe this is a form of consensus-building, where a flurry of sneezes can signal the group’s readiness to begin the hunt.

The Entire Pack Helps Raise the Pups

In a pack, only the alpha male and female breed. However, all members of the pack take on the responsibility of raising and feeding the pups, even regurgitating food for them when they are young.

They Have Massive Ears

Wild dogs have large, rounded ears that look a bit like satellite dishes. These ears help them hear faint sounds from far away, but they also serve a crucial purpose in helping the dogs dissipate body heat in the hot African climate.

They Have Only Four Toes

Unlike most canids, which have five toes on their front feet, the African wild dog has a unique physical characteristic: four toes on each foot and no dewclaws. This is thought to be an adaptation for speed.

They Care for the Old and Sick

Wild dogs are known for their altruistic behaviour. If a pack member is old, sick, or injured, the other dogs will continue to bring them food and care for them until they recover.

They Have a Very Specific Vocal Range

Instead of barking, wild dogs communicate with a variety of unique sounds, including squeaks, hoots, and chattering sounds, to coordinate while on the move or during a hunt.

Visitors to the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve can see African wild dogs up close during educational game drives and feeding sessions. By seeing these incredible animals up close, the reserve hopes to educate visitors on why protecting these predators is so important.

For more information, visit rhinolion.co.za or the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve’s Facebook or Instagram pages.

The post 10 Wild Facts You Didn’t Know About African Wild Dogs This World Wild Dog Day appeared first on Stage and Screen.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 1 April 2025: This Earth Day, embark on an unforgettable adventure with Emmy^® and BAFTA Award-winning Nat Geo Explorer Bertie Gregory (@BertieGregory) in SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS! Executive produced by National Geographic Explorer-at-Large and Academy Award^®-winning filmmaker James Cameron and Emmy and BAFTA winners Ruth Roberts and Martin Williams from Talesmith, this latest installment in National Geographic’s Emmy-winning “Secrets of” franchise takes viewers of all ages to the farthest corners of the world to witness penguin behaviors captured on film for the first time—showcasing the cute and fluffy flightless birds as they brave some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Narrated by Blake Lively (“Another Simple Favor”), the three-part series premieres 22 April at 18:00 (CAT) on National Geographic Wild (DStv 182, StarSat 221), with all episodes streaming 21 April on Disney+ in South Africa.

This year, The Walt Disney Company will celebrate Earth Month with an enterprise-wide campaign led by National Geographic to inspire audiences to appreciate the world around us using the power of storytelling. Throughout April, the ourHOME campaign will feature exciting new content releases, digital and experiential activations, and will showcase global efforts to protect, restore, and celebrate the natural world – allowing viewers, fans, and followers to discover there is even more to love about this place we call home.

While many documentaries have explored penguins, SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS takes it to a whole new level. Talesmith’s team, led by Bertie and over 70 world-class scientists and filmmakers, embarked on a two-year, globe-spanning adventure—from the rocky beaches of Cape Town and the icy shores of South Georgia Island to the tropical Galapagos and Namibia’s desert caves—capturing penguins like never before. Pushing the boundaries of wildlife filmmaking, a three-person crew endured an astonishing 274 days filming on the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica, home to a colony of 20,000 emperor penguins. Facing one of the planet’s harshest environments, they captured never-before-seen moments like a bonded pair of emperors practicing egg transfers with a snowball to hone their skills for the moment they would need to transfer a real egg, tenacious chicks navigating brash ice amid climate change, and young penguins using their beaks to hoist themselves out of a crevasse.

With breathtaking, award-winning cinematography and cutting-edge camera technology, the series captures even more never-before-seen and rare moments in the wild. For the first time, witness healthy “rockaroni” chicks—a rare hybrid of rockhopper and macaroni penguins—offering a fascinating glimpse into potential evolution and adaptation. Other remarkable scenes include a brave rockhopper fending off a southern sea lion, the first-ever footage of a hidden cave colony of African penguins, and clever Galapagos penguins teaming up for a daring heist: stealing fish straight from pelican beaks and skillfully herding sardine bait balls.

In April 2024, Nat Geo unveiled breathtaking emperor penguin footage captured by Bertie at the Ekström Ice Shelf in Antarctica for the series. A television first, the crew recorded an astonishing sight: hundreds of emperor penguin chicks leaping from a 50-foot cliff into the icy ocean below, emerging unscathed. The series will showcase the full spectacle of this remarkable behavior, along with new footage that was not initially included in the viral video. To date, the clip has garnered 74 million views on Nat Geo’s TikTok account—its best-performing video ever—and has received over 165 million views across all of Nat Geo’s social platforms. Bertie’s natural history filming resonates so much with viewers that he has captured some of the most-viewed videos on Nat Geo’s Instagram account this past year. The emperor penguins video has nearly 63 million views, while the second highest is Dzanga-Sangha National Park sweat bees with 34 million views, followed by B1 Antarctic killer whales with 23 million views, both from his Disney+ Original series from Nat Geo ANIMALS UP CLOSE WITH BERTIE GREGORY, currently filming its second season.

The family-friendly series taps into the passion and expertise of world-renowned scientists and conservationists, including National Geographic Explorer and marine biologist Dr. Pablo Borboroglu, conservation biologist Dr. Michelle LaRue, African penguin expert Dr. Andrea Thiebault, doctor of veterinary medicine Dr. Gustavo Jiménez Uzcátegui, penguin expert Dr. Jessica Kemper, and marine biologist Dr. Katta Ludynia.

Episodes include the following:

• “Heart of the Emperors”

The emperors are the largest and strongest penguins, living in the coldest and most extreme environment on Earth. Embedded with an Antarctic colony, National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory encounters social skills never filmed before, discovering bonds forged from birth between family, friends and strangers are the difference between life and death.

• “Survival of the Smartest”

Millions of years ago, a group of penguins left the ice, riding powerful currents and arriving in strange new lands. They reshaped traditions for deserts and tropics—and even to live among humans. Tested to the extreme, they became perhaps the smartest of all penguins. National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory discovers the penguins’ problem-solving, “talking” and enduring search for new worlds.

• “Rebels with a Cause”

It takes a special type of courageous penguin to survive the fierce Southern Ocean, but 40 million crowd its isolated, rocky outposts, and they are some of the most successful penguins on Earth. National Geographic Explorer Bertie Gregory follows the rockhoppers, gentoos and macaronis to discover a world of risk-takers, rebels and unconventional parents.

Previous “Secrets of” seasons include SECRETS OF THE OCTOPUS, narrated by Paul Rudd; SECRETS OF THE ELEPHANTS, narrated by Natalie Portman; and Emmy-winning SECRETS OF THE WHALES, narrated by Sigourney Weaver. All installments are currently streaming on Disney+.

SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS is produced by Talesmith for National Geographic. Emmy Award-winners James Cameron and Maria Wilhelm for Lightstorm Earth are executive producers. BAFTA and Emmy Award-winner Bertie Gregory serves as lead storyteller, cinematographer and producer. For Talesmith, Emmy and BAFTA-winning executive producers are Ruth Roberts and Martin Williams. Series producer is Serena Davies. Pam Caragol is executive producer for National Geographic.

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