Celebrating World Ranger Day: Lewa's Pioneering Female Game Warden Breaking Boundaries
Women Rangers at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Break Gender Barriers and Advance Conservation
Purity Wamuyu, the trailblazing first female ranger at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, is leading a strong force of women rangers who are making significant strides in conservation and community security.
Wamuyu joined Lewa as a radio operator in 2012 and has since risen through the ranks, becoming a supervisor after just two years due to her dedication and exceptional performance. Today, she holds the position of security administrator.
Despite the challenges faced by female rangers, including risks from wildlife encounters, inadequate work equipment, and limited medical insurance, Wamuyu and her team have achieved notable success in conservation roles, community outreach, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
One of Wamuyu's most memorable experiences was an encounter with a buffalo while heading to work. To escape, she had to climb a tree. This incident underscores the physical dangers inherent in ranger work.
Wamuyu's team plays a crucial role in relaying security alerts to relevant authorities, including the Kenya Police and Kenya Wildlife Service. They also work outside Lewa's borders, helping communities recover stolen livestock and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
Wamuyu's passion for conservation was inspired by her experiences with human-wildlife conflict. Today, she is a mentor to new recruits, helping to strengthen communal ties and conservation awareness.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy invests heavily in programs for education, healthcare, water access, micro-enterprises, and youth empowerment to support the livelihoods of neighboring communities. Female rangers contribute to these efforts, fostering trust and mentoring recruits.
Chris Galliers, President of the International Ranger Federation, has expressed concern over the safety, well-being, and fair recognition of rangers. This year, the International Ranger Association has reported an increase in the number of rangers killed in the line of duty, with the largest rise in deaths caused by fires. Nonetheless, the resilient female rangers at Lewa have become a transformative force, breaking gender norms and advancing conservation and community security through their diverse and critical roles.
It is worth noting that Wamuyu is a mother of four and, when a female ranger delivers, she is given ample time to stay with the baby. Wamuyu is also given 8 days off a month due to her work.
The International Ranger Federation and the Kenya Wildlife Service honoured Wamuyu in 2023 during World Ranger Day, recognizing her dedication to conservation and community security. Today, Lewa counts at least 11 women rangers who live within the conservancy headquarters, making Wamuyu feel more comfortable and inspiring a new generation of female rangers.
- Wamuyu's role model status extends beyond her duties as security administrator, as she also serves as a mentor in the fields of education-and-self-development, providing guidance to new recruits.
- In her spare time, Wamuyu enjoys reading epaper articles about fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, and food-and-drink, hoping to learn new trends and recipes.
- Despite her busy schedule, Wamuyu ensures she spends quality time with her pets at home-and-garden, finding peace and relaxation in their company.
- Wamuyu's work-life balance is important, and she often unwinds by listening to sports radio shows, keeping herself updated on the latest games and player performances.
- On weekends, Wamuyu travels with her family, exploring new destinations and expanding her travel experiences.
- As she continues to advance in her career, Wamuyu expresses an interest in learning more about cars, hoping to invest in a reliable vehicle for her future in conservation work.
- Wamuyu advocates for the rights of rangers, particularly for those who face safety and fair recognition issues, calling for support from organizations like the International Ranger Federation and local bodies like the Kenya Wildlife Service.
- When accessing news and weather updates, Wamuyu relies on her trusted online sources, keeping up with the latest developments in her professional and personal life alike.
