Hyères, 28 October 2024 – Known around the world as conservateurs, game wardens, and guardians, rangers are vital stewards of our planet’s biodiversity. They serve on the frontlines of wildlife conservation, fulfilling a wide range of responsibilities in law enforcement, biodiversity monitoring and community outreach. Not only do rangers work to conserve wild species in protected areas, they also play an essential role in supporting the coexistence between wildlife and people living in and around these areas. The efforts and expertise of rangers around the world are indispensable in the fight to ensure that wildlife continue to exist in the wild for generations to come.
Representing sites across the Africa region, eight rangers from the 69 sites participating in the Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants Programme of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES MIKE Programme) attended the prestigious 10th World Ranger Congress organized by the International Ranger Federation (IRF), together with Gardes Natures de France (GNF), in Hyères, France, which took place 7-11 October 2024. Their participation was made possible through the generous support of the European Union (EU) through the MIKES+ EU-funded project.
During the event, the rangers had a unique platform to share their on-the-ground experiences in implementing the CITES MIKE Programme. They highlighted the role CITES MIKE plays in the monitoring illegal killing of elephants and shared how the Programme’s data-driven approach directly supports the ambitious 30x30 Targets set by the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Throughout the Congress, the rangers participated in workshops and discussions, presenting the significant contributions of CITES MIKE to elephant conservation across Africa.
CITES Secretary-General Ivonne Higuero said: “The MIKE Programme is recognized as the most reliable system for measuring elephant poaching trends. We are grateful for the dedication of CITES MIKE rangers to providing crucial insights that inform the decision-making of conservationists and policymakers alike.”
In addition to sharing their experiences, the rangers had the opportunity to learn from their international peers, exchange valuable knowledge, and extending their networks. This congress provided a unique space for meaningful international collaboration and the growth of the global network of rangers united in their mission to conserve wildlife and safeguard our planet's biodiversity.
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About CITES
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975. With 184 Parties (183 countries + the European Union), it remains one of the world's most powerful tools for wildlife conservation through the regulation of international trade in over 40,900 species of wild animals and plants. CITES-listed species are used by people around the world in their daily lives for food, health care, furniture, housing, tourist souvenirs, cosmetics or fashion. CITES seeks to ensure that international trade in such species is sustainable, legal and traceable and contributes to both the livelihoods of the communities that live closest to them and to national economies for a healthy planet and the prosperity of the people in support of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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Find out more: https://cites.org/eng
About CITES MIKE
The CITES Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (or MIKE) Programme is a site-based system designed to monitor trends in levels of illegal killing of elephants and build capacity in sites spread across the range of African and Asian elephants. Information from MIKE is used by CITES Parties to inform decision making on elephant conservation and management.
Find out more: https://citesmike.org/