Zambian conservationist neddy mulimo championed ranger welfare as key to wildlife protection

While African conservation is often discussed in terms of wildlife corridors and species counts, the reality on the ground is fundamentally a human labor issue, according to insights from Zambian conservationist Neddy Mulimo, who dedicated nearly four decades to wildlife protection.

Mulimo consistently highlighted the harsh working conditions faced by rangers across Africa, arguing that addressing their welfare wasn’t charity—it was strategic conservation. His research revealed that the average ranger works nearly 90 hours per week, with over 60% lacking access to clean drinking water during patrols or at remote stations. More than 40% regularly go without proper overnight shelter while protecting wildlife in dangerous circumstances.

“A ranger can spend days without clean water and still be expected to make good judgments at night, under stress, against armed men, in places where help may be hours away,” Mulimo observed, pointing to the stark disconnect between job demands and available resources. He believed conservation funding should prioritize building competence and resilience among rangers, not just purchasing equipment like boots and rifles.

Mulimo’s journey to conservation began far from the romantic notion of bush work. Growing up in Lusaka’s Matero township with dreams of becoming a truck driver, his life trajectory changed through a school club experience. His perspective—shaped by humble beginnings—brought a unique understanding of the human element in conservation, emphasizing that protecting Africa’s wildlife depends fundamentally on supporting the people who risk their lives to guard it.