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Anton Mzimba

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Anton Mzimba
Born(1980-02-11)February 11, 1980
Mozambique
DiedJuly 26, 2022(2022-07-26) (aged 42)
Edinburgh, South Africa
Cause of deathMurder
EducationSouthern African Wildlife College
Occupations
  • Field Ranger
  • Head of Ranger Services
  • Technical Advisor
Years active1997–2022
EmployerTimbavati Private Nature Reserve
OrganizationGlobal Conservation Corps
AwardsIUCN/WCPA International Ranger Award, African Conservation Award, African Rhino Award

Anton Mzimba (February 11, 1980 – July 26, 2022) was a South African field ranger who spent his 25 year career working at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. He was murdered in an attack widely believed to be connected to his work as a ranger preventing rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park region.[1]

Career

In June 1997, Anton began his conservation career as an erosion fieldwork team member at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. In April 1998, he passed his basic field ranger training and became one of the youngest field rangers within the unit. In 2003, he was promoted to Full Corporal Instructor, overseeing a training program to maintain his team's physical and mental fitness. In 2008, Anton was promoted to Head of Ranger Services for the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, overseeing the ranger team and security operations of the entire reserve, where he remained until his death.[2]

Death

On 26 July 2022, after months of receiving threats, gunmen appeared at Anton's home. According to police, they said their car had broken down and asked for help. When they approached Anton, they shot him and his wife. Anton did not survive his wounds, but his wife made a full recovery.[3] As of 27 August 2024, no arrests have been made in connection with his murder.

Anton's death brought recognition and calls to action from many in the conservation space, including Barbara Creecy, then Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, South Africa,[4] and Prince William of Wales, the Founder and President of United for Wildlife, who called for justice in a Tweet.[5]

Movie

Anton’s life, death, and career as a ranger are documented in Rhino Man, a film that covers the rhino poaching crisis and the role of rangers in South Africa. Anton's murder took place during post-production, and was later incorporated into the story.[6] It premiered on 13 June 2023, at a private screening hosted by United for Wildlife at the Cinema in the Battersea Power Station, London, attended by Prince William of Wales and Duchess Sophie of Edinburgh.[7]

Awards

In 2016, Anton won the Best Field Ranger award at the Rhino Conservation Awards run by the Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA).[8]

Posthumously, Anton won the Best Game Ranger award at the GRAA 2022 African Conservation Awards,[9] and in 2023 he won an IUCN/WCPA International Ranger Award.[10]

Podcasts

Anton and his story have been featured in several podcasts.

  • 2024 - Pull The Thread - The Wild Life, Season 1, Episode 4: Incorruptible[11]
  • 2022 - National Park After Dark - 92: People of the Parks - Rhino Man with John Jurko II[12]
  • 2022 - The Rhino Man Podcast - Ep 6: Anton Mzimba – Life of a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve[13]
  • 2022 - Voices of Nature Podcast - Episode 22: Rhino Man Behind the Scenes with the Rangers and Filmmakers[14]
  • 2021 - Voices of Nature Podcast - Episode 2: Anton Mzimba and the Life of a Ranger[15]

References

  1. ^ Bhengu, Cebelihle. "'Wildlife warrior' and game ranger Anton Mzimba shot dead". News24. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ^ Pierce, Candice (2022-07-27). "Our Tribute to Our Fallen Wildlife Warrior, Anton Mzimba". Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  3. ^ Nuwer, Rachel (2022-08-16). "Killing of Ranger Protecting Rhinos Raises Fears for Conservation Efforts". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  4. ^ Sgqolana, Tembile (2022-08-01). "'Pick up Anton Mzimba's fallen spear and continue the fight against poaching'". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  5. ^ Averre, David (2022-07-27). "Prince William pays tribute to animal ranger killed in South Africa". Mail Online. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  6. ^ "Film About Murdered Wildlife Ranger Whose Story Moved Prince William Released on Anniversary of Death (Exclusive)". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  7. ^ Vanderhoof, Erin (2023-06-14). "Prince William Honors a Slain Wildlife Ranger During a Rare Engagement With His Aunt Sophie". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  8. ^ SAPeople (2022-07-28). "Prince William Joins Tributes to Anton Mzimba, Brave Timbavati Ranger Heartlessly Killed". SA People. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  9. ^ "African Conservation Awards - African Conservation Awards | 2022 winners". African Conservation Awards. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  10. ^ "Extraordinary action for protected areas recognised by International Ranger Awards - Press release | IUCN". iucn.org. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  11. ^ Luminary (2024-06-04). Episode 4: Incorruptible | Pull The Thread, Season 1: The Wild Life. Retrieved 2024-08-27 – via YouTube.
  12. ^ globalconservationcorps (2022-08-22). "National Park After Dark: People of the Parks – RHINO MAN with John Jurko II - RHINO MAN". Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  13. ^ globalconservationcorps (2022-03-08). "Ep 6: Anton Mzimba – Life of a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. - RHINO MAN". Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  14. ^ Wortman, Rebekah. ""Voices of Nature" Podcast | Episode 22: RHINO MAN Behind the Scenes". Global Conservation Corps. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  15. ^ Wortman, Rebekah. ""Voices of Nature" Podcast | Episode Two: Anton Mzimba". Global Conservation Corps. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
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