View From Here Lucky Ndlovu

This field ranger sergeant recently received a Tusk Award for Conservation in Africa for his work to combat rhino poaching. Prince William is the royal patron of the awards ceremony, which was held in Africa for the first time this year. Lucky and his team arrested a senior official involved in poaching.

- Suzaan Hall

Where does your love for the outdoors come from?

I was born in South Africa, but I spent my early years in Mozambique near a village called Mapulanguene. I grew up herding my family’s cattle in the bush. I had my own dogs, which I used for protection, herding and hunting. We lived off the land, hunting and farming.

I was about 10 when I moved to the Kruger Park, where my grandfather and my father were field rangers. The rules were not so strict in those days and I used to accompany my father to see what he was doing on the job.

I became a ranger because I wanted to protect the place that my father and grandfather called home. The wild animals have always supported my family and I wanted to protect them so that my children could also work in the Kruger Park one day.

How long have you been working in the Kruger?