Operation Safe Ranger Training Part II with the Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, Malawi

Following the successful ‘Operation Safe Ranger’ Training held on 8^th -9^th May, 2023 in Lilongwe, the AGA-Africa Programme and the Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance (WITA) partnered with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) on a second workshop held on 11^th-12^th May, 2023, this time in Blantyre, Malawi.

Similar to the first workshop, participants were drawn from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. International subject matter experts Shawn and Stephainie Karns from the United States also participated.

The training sessions were also aimed at exposing the participants to the global standard ranger safety practices such as first aid, recognizing nonverbal threat signals, de-escalation techniques and tactical situational control that can effectively save lives.

Gift Chikwakwa, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Malawi, officially opened the event.  Wisely Kawaye, Divisional Manager, Lower Shire and Chief Parks and Wildlife Officer, made a keynote address on behalf of Brighton Kumchedwa, Director, Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

The sessions, which included simulations of real life situations, were facilitated by Shawn Karns, Executive Director, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance and Stephanie Karns, Director of Operations, Wildlife Investigators Training Alliance.

Closing remarks were made by Patrick Chinguwo, Officer, Department of Parks and Wildlife on behalf of Brighton Kumchedwa, Director, Department of Parks and Wildlife. Gift Chikwakwa, AGA-Africa Programme Country Coordinator for Malawi, officially closed the training.

Workshop Outcomes

Through this workshop the participants:

1. Improved their knowledge and skills on the foundations of officer safety, non-verbals and officer wellness.
2. Enhanced their understanding on the critical skills needed for First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Trauma, Drowning and Environmental injuries to effectively save lives.
3. Equipped themselves with the right skills and methodologies required to conduct complicated wildlife trafficking investigations successfully and safely.