Bonn, 16 May 2019 - CMS Parties and partners are invited to make nominations for the African Ranger Award and the Ranger Support Plan by 31 May 2019. The African Ranger Award is presented annually, to a maximum of 50 recipients, who have been working in protected areas for the protection of African wildlife. This 10-year Award Programme was set up in July 2017 by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba and co-chair of Paradise International Foundation to support 500 wildlife rangers in Africa.

The eligibility criteria for the African Ranger Award are the following:

• The nominee must be an active ranger and a citizen of an African country;
• The nominee must have worked as a ranger for more than three years;
• Individuals nominating themselves will not be considered;
• Team nominations will not be eligible;
• Deceased rangers will not be eligible, but their family members are encouraged to apply for the Ranger Support Plan.

This year, the Paradise Foundation, together with Alibaba Foundation, initiated the Ranger Support Plan, in addition to the annual African Ranger Award. The Plan aims to provide financial support for the families of rangers, that have given their lives in the line of duty.

The eligibility criteria for the Ranger Support Plan are the following:

• The ranger has died or been killed on duty;
• The immediate dependent family of the deceased ranger can apply to the Fund;
• Preference shall be given to applicants that face extreme financial hardship as a result of the rangers’ death.

Poaching and illegal wildlife trade involving migratory species such as elephants and gorillas continue to threaten vulnerable populations. Every year, many rangers sacrifice their lives in battles against armed poachers and illegal loggers.

The CMS Secretariat works with the African Elephant Fund Secretariat to support Range States implement the African Elephant Action Plan. The CMS Secretariat also serves as the Interim Secretariat of the Gorilla Agreement and works with gorilla Range States in coordinating their efforts to eradicate poaching activities and to take concerted measures to control and monitor them.  

For further details, please visit the Paradise Foundation website or contact the African Elephant Fund Secretariat.