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December 2, 2025
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Fuel for the Frontline: Keeping Zambian Rangers in the Field
December 2, 2025
“Everyone has got the right to be on Earth – the animals, the trees, and us human beings. Every little thing in the life cycle is important.”
– Ranger Benson, Zambia
Have you ever wondered how lions, leopards, and elephants are truly protected? Policies and laws matter, but real conservation happens on the ground. And in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, rangers are the last line of defence for these iconic animals. Located at the end of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, South Luangwa covers 1.4 million hectares and is one of the continent’s most important conservation landscapes. Rich in biodiversity, the park supports significant populations of lion, leopard, African wild dog, and is one of Zambia’s last remaining elephant strongholds. It’s also home to rare and endemic species of zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe.
📷 Jay Collier
Benson Kanyembo is a giant in Zambia’s ranger community. He’s spent more than 30 years working tirelessly in anti-poaching operations in South Luangwa. His extraordinary commitment to conservation and wildlife protection has earned him international acclaim, most notably through his recent IUCN International Ranger Award. Benson’s passion for conservation began when he was just ten years old, after witnessing firsthand wildlife being poached. “That’s when I made the vow that I’m going to stand up and do something”, said Benson. “I enjoy protecting our natural resources because I’ve seen the benefit. I know that if I protect that elephant, it’s not only me and my community that will benefit. It’s a chain of people. Only a few would benefit from the death of that elephant.”
Benson Kanyembo 📷 Leigh Foster
Benson and his team reached out to Thin Green Line recently, asking for help. The recent and abrupt cuts to USAID funding saw Benson’s ranger team struggle to operate. Before the defunding, Benson’s team of 119 community rangers would conduct hundreds of one, 5, and 10-day patrols. Their work was directly responsible for the apprehension of 178 poaching suspects, over 650kg of bushmeat seized, 740 snares recovered, and more than 680kg of ivory removed from black market circulation – all in just one year. Now, facing drastic funding cuts, Benson’s team were scaling back their operations, minimising their multi-day patrols due to a simple lack of food.
That’s right – food for rangers. How is it that the protection of something so precious relies precariously on something so simple?
Thanks to the support of the Thin Green Line community, we were able to respond to this call for help, providing funds for rations and fuel for patrol vehicles. Immediately, Benson’s team resumed their 10-day patrols, covering an area of over 19,000km. As a direct result of this aid, Benson’s team apprehended 70 poaching suspects, seized 29 firearms and 104kg of illegal bushmeat, and removed 141 cruel and deadly snares in just five months.
📷 Conservation South Luangwa
Support like this is about far more than providing essential supplies. It sends a powerful message that rangers’ work is valued and respected. Knowing that people care deeply about their welfare and their mission gives rangers a tremendous lift and encourages them to keep fighting the good fight.
Donate to our Christmas Appeal and help equip rangers around the world with the resources they need to protect wildlife on the frontlines of conservation.
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We believe the practical, direct action of rangers is the most necessary and effective way to overcome the environmental challenges of our time. Thin Green Line is a global not-for-profit conservation organisation.
