VOLUME 64

Everyone a Game Ranger (5-minute Video)

Staff Writer

21 Oct 2025 — 1 min read

Wildlife needs three things to survive: food, water, and protection. The Lugenda Wildlife Reserve (LUWIRE) within the Niassa Special Reserve in Northern Mozambique had plenty of the first two but lacked the third.

When Derek Littleton arrived in the area, the first thing he did was establish a small anti-poaching unit made up of ex-poachers. Over time, he realized that selection courses for new rangers was not always the best way to guarantee the best people for the job.

While opening roads through the reserve, gangs of young men were employed for six months to undertake the hard, physical work. Through watching the men work, Derek was able to pick out the hardest workers, and this became his preferred way of selecting rangers.

At first, the anti-poaching rangers had a hard time from the surrounding communities and were often beaten up when they returned home. Over time, their work became appreciated and ranger positions are now highly valued with a certain status in the communities.

There is now a mindset that has spread through the communities that is invested in protecting the reserve as a valuable resource. The people who have been engaged in illegal activities have become a minority through peer group pressure.

Over time, Luwire has developed a good relationship with the reserve authority, police and district administration. They are now seen as a partner in the development of the region.

Luwire has a policy in that everybody within the company is first and foremost a game ranger.

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