Company Name: Southern African Wildlife College Telephone: Fax: Cell Phone: Email: infosawc.org.za Website:

Course Title:   Game Ranger Course

Thank you for taking time to familiarise yourself with the Game Ranger Course training programme. This document will provide you with useful information about the content and structure of this qualification.

Purpose Statement
A learner who has achieved this qualification will be able to integrate practical skills and theoretical knowledge in assisting with the field activities within conservation areas. The learner will provide support to management staff in achieving the management goals & objectives of the area as well as interpreting the environment to visitors to conservation areas. The qualification has been developed to assist professionalism across the conservation industry

Training approach
The courses at SAWC are characterized by a hands-on, practical, and highly participatory approach, which is complemented by group discussions and lecture sessions. Training is competence and outcome-based, allowing students to apply knowledge directly to their workplace, thereby not only benefiting themselves but also their individual organizations and their local communities. This course focuses largely on the development of practical skills and many of the activities are conducted in the field. The College is ideally situated for this purpose as these activities take place in our training area which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. This allows learners to gain experience in identification and interaction with wildlife and dangerous game.

Who can apply?
The Game Ranger Course is aimed at individuals wishing to pursue a career in conservation as Field staff within a protected area or those wishing to learn more about conservation and practical bush skills. This programme is suitable for individuals with no prior experience in conservation.
Applicants must be able to communicate in English and possess a valid drivers licence.

Accreditation
The Southern African Wildlife College is an accredited training provider with THETA (Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority).

The curriculum of this course has been aligned with the SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) unit standards generated by THETA for the National Skills Programme in Conservation – Natural Resource Management and the Field Guiding (FGASA) Level 1 programme. A full breakdown of the unit standards that learners can achieve on successful completion of this course is available on request.

Trainers
The Southern African Wildlife College does not have a staff of permanent trainers but contracts trainers who are practicing experts in their field to conduct specific modules. This allows for the students to be provided with up to date information and developments in the industry during each module.

Course Duration
The duration of this course is 6 Months and will commence in March 2007 until August 2007.

Game Ranger Course Programme
Listed below are the modules that make up the Game Ranger Course and an outline of the topics comprising each module.

SECTION 1 – Field Guiding

Introduction to guiding in the natural environment

• The role and job function of a professional nature guide
• The aims of nature guiding
• Guiding ethics and carrying out an ethical guided experience in a natural environment
• Guiding principles and code of conduct for guides from both a FGASA and Dept of Environmental Affairs and
• Tourism (DEAT)
• The legal requirements pertaining to tourism guiding, qualification, certification and registration.

Creating a guided nature experience

• Pre-briefing to guests before embarking on a guided experience
• Involvement of clients and ensuring their comfort during a guided experience
• Communication skills for guiding in the natural environment.
• Conducting research on potentially interesting sites
• Approaching animals
• Orientation during day and night guiding activities and procedures when lost.
• Interpretation of the natural environment to clients
• Bush skills and survival

Geology

• Basic geology and structure of the earth
• Types and classification of rocks
• Common rock types and their weathering properties
• The interrelationships between rocks, soil, climate, vegetation and animals.

Astronomy (Night Sky)

• The Universe, galaxy and solar system and the nine planets
• Identification of the constellations of Orion, Scorpio and the Southern Cross
• Determining a southerly direction making use of the Southern Cross
• The phases of the moon as it is viewed from Earth
• Lunar and a solar eclipses in terms of the positioning of the Sun, Earth and Moon
• The effect of the moon on ocean tides

Weather and Climate

• Patterns of weather and climate.
• The process of cloud formation and cloud types and the effect on the guiding experience
• The different types of local wind conditions that may apply to the area of guiding operation
• The four major influences on the South African climate and the general Summer and Winter conditions of Southern Africa.

Basic Ecology

• Definition of Ecology and the major components of ecosystems.
• The different levels of organisation in ecology and trophic pyramids, food chains and food webs
• Nutrient cycles, symbiotic relationships, predation & types of competition

Basic Taxonomy

• The meaning of taxonomy
• Classification of living organisms and the five kingdoms of living organisms
• Placing living organisms into the hierarchical order of classification.

Introduction to the Biomes of Southern Africa

• The seven major biomes in Southern Africa.
• The amount of seasonal rainfall and temperature within the biomes
• Main indicator species for each of the biomes in terms of animals and dominant vegetation types.

Botany and Grasses

• Anatomy of tree & grass species
• Identification of trees & grasses
• General uses, medicinal uses and traditional beliefs associated with specific trees
• Veld types and succession
• Ecological status and the grazing value of vegetation

Arthropods (Insects and relatives)

• Characteristics of arthropods
• Insect life-cycles
• Ecological importance of insects
• Insect flight and feeding behaviour
• Common insect orders and the difference between insects and spiders
• Characteristics of the Arachnida
• Venomous spiders in South Africa which are of medical importance to human beings
• Characteristics and identification of scorpions
• Millipedes and Centipedes and their particular feeding behaviour

Amphibians (Frogs and Toads)

• The characteristics of the class of amphibians
• The differences between frogs and toads
• The life cycle of frogs and toads, mating postures, nests and types of eggs
• Identification of common frogs by their calls

Reptiles

• Characteristics of the class of reptiles
• Identifiable features of the three reptile orders
• Identifiable features of Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins
• Features of skinks, lizards, agamas, geckos, chameleons, monitors and snakes
• Identification of the more common species of snakes as well as the potentially lethal families and species of snakes
• Snake venom, symptoms and effects
• Classification of snakes in terms of the different teeth structures
• Behaviour, habits, senses and reproduction in snakes

Fish

• Identification and anatomy of common fish species
• Ecological importance of fish and their reproductive and feeding behaviour
• Buoyancy and movement of fish through water

Birds

• Characteristics of the class of birds
• Passerines and non-passerines
• Feeding methods, behaviour and nesting habits of prominent bird species
• Identification of prominent and common bird species

Mammals

• The characteristics of the class and sub classes of mammals
• The foot structure and digestive systems of ruminants and hindgut fermenters
• Basic physical characteristics, social and feeding habits, habitat and distribution of the common species of mammals
• Differentiation between males and females of common mammal species
• Behaviour of the main indicator species (“Flagship”) of South Africa

Animal behaviour

• Grouping behaviour of animals
• Forms of animals communication and various types of animal protective behaviour
• Animal home-ranges and territories
• Identification and interpretation of animal signs and sounds

Conservation management and historical human habitation

• Conservation practices used in the natural environment
• Transfrontier/Peace parks and Biosphere Reserves
• The early human inhabitants of Southern Africa
• The three Stone age periods that took place in Southern Africa and some of the more interesting Stone age sites and their significance
• The characteristics of the Iron age sites in Southern Africa and their significance
• The distribution of traditional Southern African cultures

SECTION 2 – Conservation Management

Vegetation Management

• Common and threatened indigenous plants, their parts and their uses
• Plant and animal associations and their fluctuations
• Impacts and implications of conservation management actions / inactions on vegetation
• Harvesting of plants according to management guidelines
• Economic value of common plant species
• Propagation and re-introduction of indigenous plants
• Basic vegetation monitoring techniques
• Identification and location of problem plants, declared weeds and alien invasive plants
• The impact and / or dangers of problem plants on an ecosystem
• Methods & equipment used to control problem plants
• Problem plant control operations and monitoring

Animal Management

• Revision of animal anatomy, identification, habits and behaviour
• Ecological interactions associated with animal populations
• Habitat requirements of key species in Southern Africa
• Basic wildlife monitoring techniques
• Collection of animal specimens and post mortem techniques
• Wildlife diseases
• Hunting & the sustainable utilization of game species
• CITES and Red Data lists

Provision of Artificial Water within Conservation Areas

• Water provision methods
• Evaluation of the types of water provision and the impact on conservation areas
• Water requirements of different wildlife species
• Placement of water points
• Maintenance of water provision sites and equipment

Conservation Management Planning

• Formats and content of management plans
• Formulating goals and objectives for the management of conservation areas
• Short term planning cycles and scheduling work activities
• Reviewing actions and reporting

Environmental Education

• Importance of education in addressing environmental problems
• Theory of environmental education
• Development of education programs to adults, children and visitors to conservation areas
• Design and implementation of interpretive trails and materials

Professional Values & Ethics

• Professional values, professional accountability and ethical conduct
• Professional behaviour and interactions in the workplace
• Managing value conflict

The following 5 day module is available as an optional elective at the end of the programme

Weapon Handling
This module awards the learner with the SASSETA unit standard for handling a rifle, which is the legal requirement for all guides/conservation staff using rifles within conservation areas.

This module covers the following:

• Parts of a rifle & basic ballistics
• Types of ammunition
• Safe handling and storage of a rifle
• Aiming and firing a rifle accurately
• Dealing with malfunctions – causes and corrective action
• Inspection and maintenance of rifles
• Dealing with dangerous game situations

The additional cost for this module is R1 500 which includes assessment at an accredited SASSETA shooting range and ammunition.

Course Title 2 Game Ranger Course Classification Environment & Nature -> Game Ranger Course Requirements Price Course Fees The tuition fees for this course include accommodation, all meals, field practicals, learning materials and hand outs & scheduled excursions. * Tuition Fee: R28 500 * Application: Fee R300 The following are approximate guidelines of the personal training costs to be borne by the individual: * Stationary: R150 * Photocopying: R100 * Printing: R100 Non South African students PLEASE NOTE: When budgeting for Personal Costs students are advised to include cost for study permits and visas (Please contact your Home Affairs Department or the South African Embassy/Foreign Affairs Department in your country for further details). Notes

Course Information Location Limpopo - Hoedspruit Course Type Customised Start Dates Length of Course 6 months Final Registration Date

Contact Details Name Southern African Wildlife College Phone +27 (015) 7937300 Email infosawc.org.za