slug: rangers-and-village-game-scouts-serengeti
title: Rangers and Village Game Scouts: The People Who Protect the Serengeti
category: Conservation
minutes: 5
meta_title: Rangers & Village Game Scouts Protecting the Serengeti
meta_description: Meet the rangers and village game scouts who patrol the Serengeti ecosystem, what equipment they need and how you can support them.
keywords: game rangers Tanzania, village game scouts, ranger equipment, support rangers Serengeti
excerpt: Rangers and volunteer scouts work in harsh conditions. Learn what they do and what they need.
---
<h2>Two kinds of defenders</h2>
<p>Game rangers are employed by institutions such as Serengeti National Park (SENAPA), TAWA, which manages Ikorongo and Grumeti Game Reserves, and community areas like Ikona WMA. Village Game Scouts (VGS) are community groups, many working as volunteers without pay, who protect their villages and help reduce conflict with wildlife.</p>
<h2>What a patrol involves</h2>
<p>Patrols may cover long distances on foot or by vehicle, day and night, in heat, dust and rain. They look for snares and illegal activity, respond to incidents and support communities when dangerous animals enter villages.</p>
<h2>What they need</h2>
<ul><li>Rangers: flashlights, rain jackets, jungle boots, first-aid kits, GPS, backpacks, uniforms, patrol vehicles and training.</li><li>Village Game Scouts: flashlights, rain jackets, uniforms, radio communication, motorcycles and training in wildlife behaviour.</li></ul>
<h2>How the run helps</h2>
<p>Each year 30 percent of participation fees, after operating costs, is allocated to conservation support, and we collect donated equipment to hand over to these groups.</p>
<h2>How you can help</h2>
<p>Run, donate money or give equipment such as backpacks, torches, first-aid kits, GPS units, rain jackets, jungle boots, motorcycles or vehicles. Visit our <a href="/donate">donations page</a> or email donation@sar.or.tz.</p>