LIFE ON THE FRONTLINE 2018

The 'Life on the Frontline 2018' report presents findings from a global survey of 4,686 patrol rangers across 17 countries, highlighting critical gaps in health, safety, training, and equipment. The data reveals that rangers face excessive risks, including inadequate medical care, lack of communication devices, and exposure to infectious diseases like malaria, while often being underpaid and under-appreciated. The document argues for the professionalization of the ranger service through improved training curricula, guaranteed insurance, and better community relations to ensure the effective protection of global biodiversity.

• A significant portion of rangers feel their initial training was insufficient for their actual job duties, with 38 per cent stating it was inadequate.
• Health and safety gaps are severe, with only 19 per cent of rangers receiving first aid training in the year prior to the survey, despite high rates of serious injury, including broken bones for more than one in 15 respondents.
• Rangers face substantial health risks from infectious diseases; 25 per cent contracted malaria and 22 per cent contracted other infections requiring treatment within the previous 12 months.
• There is a critical lack of essential equipment, with 36 per cent of rangers reporting they never have access to communication devices during patrols, and over half believing their basic uniforms and boots are insufficient.
• Rangers experience high levels of hostility from local communities, with 31 per cent reporting verbal abuse and 32 per cent reporting threats in the last 12 months.
• Financial instability is common, as one-third of surveyed rangers experienced late payments at least once in the previous year.
• Corruption within the service is a major concern, with over 50 per cent of rangers fearing for their safety if they were to expose corruption.
• Female rangers face specific gender-based challenges, including lower perceptions of fair reward (49 per cent vs 59 per cent for men) and risks associated with patrolling while pregnant due to a need for extra allowances.
• In the China/Russia Tiger Landscape case study, results were significantly more positive than global averages across all major survey categories.
• Preliminary data from Central America indicates that over 70 per cent of rangers have faced a life-threatening situation, though over 75 per cent would still want their children to enter the profession.

APA

WWF International (2018). LIFE ON THE FRONTLINE 2018. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/608/642kzvcbbz_Life_on_the_Frontline_Report_2018_.pdf

Chicago

WWF International. LIFE ON THE FRONTLINE 2018. 2018. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/608/642kzvcbbz_Life_on_the_Frontline_Report_2018_.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=LIFE ON THE FRONTLINE 2018 |date=October 2018 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/608/642kzvcbbz_Life_on_the_Frontline_Report_2018_.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternational2018life, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{LIFE ON THE FRONTLINE 2018}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2018}, month = oct, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/608/642kzvcbbz_Life_on_the_Frontline_Report_2018_.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }