De Hoop Field and Marine Rangers - Working tirelessly to preserve this Marine Protected Area
By Lusanda Gqaza & Yanga Mbatana (Environmental Education Officers at Potberg, De Hoop Nature Reserve)
World Ranger Day is celebrated every year on the 31st July to commemorate rangers worldwide who were killed or injured in the line of duty. The day also celebrates the hard work done and sacrifices made by field and park rangers to protect our natural heritage.
These field rangers include those that have served and dedicated their time in protecting one of CapeNature’s pristine locations, the De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Hoop is one of the largest natural areas managed by CapeNature, boasting an impressive 34 000 hectares of conserved land. It has been proclaimed as a world heritage site and is home to the only colony of vultures in the Western Cape. There is a lot of hard work and dedication required in maintaining this reserve - take a bow the tireless De Hoop field rangers!
Field Rangers are the backbone of conservation. The team at de Hoop perform an array of duties and responsibilities on a daily basis. These include ecological monitoring and surveys, combating veld fires, counting game and supporting the reserve manager and conservation services as and when needed. They are also possess a fountain of knowledge which they dispense to environmental education groups visiting the Potberg Environmental Education Centre.
Another critical part of their work is compliance. Patrols are carried out on an almost daily basis. One of the challenges that they deal with frequently is the illegal collection and exploitation of indigenous wild plants and animals. The unique plants and animals of the Western Cape unfortunately attract biodiversity criminals including scientists, syndicates and professional traders.
The De Hoop field ranger team puts their lives at risk every day whether dealing with poachers. Nonetheless, the team continues to serve the cause with great pride and dedication. Without the field rangers, conservation work at De Hoop or any nature reserve would grind to a halt!
We salute the field rangers of De Hoop and, indeed all rangers the world over. It is fitting to give the last word to De Hoop ranger, Willem Dowrey says that, “Being a field ranger means that I am constantly in touch with the environment and nature, while I am protecting it. It genuinely fulfills my soul”.
This World Ranger Day, CapeNature would like to thank and acknowledge all field and park rangers for their ongoing service. Their hard work and dedication certainly does not go unnoticed.
Related News
World Seabird Day calls attention to public role in responding to ongoing avian influenza threat affecting birds
As the world marks World Seabird Day today, members of the public are urged to remain vigilant as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, continues to affect birds across South Africa, including seabirds along the Western Cape coastline. HPAI is a serious disease affecting birds and can result in significant mortality, particularly among wild bird populations. Members of the public are
CapeNature’s marine conservation work showcased in new kykNET adventure series ‘Hey Skipper’
The beauty, biodiversity and conservation value of the Western Cape’s coastline will be shown to audiences across South Africa when CapeNature features in the new primetime Afrikaans series, Hey Skipper, premiering on DStv Channel 144 kykNET on Saturday, 4 July 2026 at 18:00. Produced and presented by adventurer, filmmaker and outdoor enthusiast Dewald Visser, Hey Skipper takes viewers on a journey across some of the world’s most
The perfect time for a family escape into nature
Winter in the Western Cape is often misunderstood. While many people think of it as a season best spent indoors, it is actually one of the most rewarding times to slow down, reconnect, and take a short break close to home. For domestic travellers, especially families planning around the school holidays, winter offers the ideal opportunity to step away from routine without the stress of long travel or high-season crowds. It is a chance to rediscover what is right on your doorstep.
Newly discovered species named after CapeNature Ecologist, Dr Martine Jordaan
A newly described Paradiplozoon species has been named after CapeNature Fauna Ecologist, Dr Martine Jordaan, in recognition of her knowledge and passion for the aquatic life of the Cape Fold Ecoregion, continuous enthusiasm to study the region's fishes and understanding their parasitofauna. The newly identified species – Paradiplozoon jordaanae – is named after Dr Jordaan.
CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR EXTERNAL MEMBER OF THE AUDIT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
Applications are hereby invited for candidates to serve on the Audit and Finance Committee of CapeNature.
The member shall be independent from CapeNature, be contracted for a maximum period of two terms of three years each and will be remunerated for attendance at meetings.
Closing date for applications: 3 July 2026
Impact of Inclement Weather across CapeNature Reserves in May 2026
The last bout of extreme weather began in early May, when a cut-off low-pressure system hit the Garden Route. A week later, two powerful cold fronts swept through the rest of the Province, unleashing torrential rains and gale-force winds. The result has been widespread damage, with 85% of all reserves reporting at least some form of damage. The Cederberg region has emerged as the hardest hit.