Wildlife Ranger Killed: Honor Anton's Legacy

A wildlife hero is murdered in front of his family. "Please donate to honor Anton's life through the newly established Anton Mzimba Education Trust."

Our worst nightmare became a reality. It is with broken hearts that we come to terms with the fact that Anton Mzimba; friend, mentor and hero to everyone he encountered, is no longer with us.

On the evening of July 26th, 2022, Anton was brutally murdered in his own home and in front of his family. The police are pursuing three suspects whom we can only assume are hired hitmen. Anton’s wife was injured in the attack, but all of his children escaped safely. Further information about his family will not be released at this time.

Anton was murdered in the name of his life’s passion. Anton gave 25 years of service to the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve through the protection of wildlife, nature conservation, and the fight for a better future. We cannot find the words to express the depth of this loss. We are shocked, angry, discouraged and hurting.

More than being a leader and inspiring ranger, Anton was a great man.

He was our friend. He was our hero.

Above all, he believed that it was his sacred calling to protect this planet’s beautiful creatures and was willing to sacrifice everything – including his life – to protect the vulnerable and inspire the next generation to follow as wildlife protectors.

This tragic loss serves as a painful and sobering reminder of the danger that Anton and other brave wildlife defenders face every day. Over 150 rangers around the world have lost their lives in the past 12 months. It is perhaps poetic that Anton’s memorial service on World Ranger Day 2022. We chose this day to launch the ‘Anton Mzimba Education Trust’ - a trust that will help support his children’s education and immediate future while supporting his life’s passion in the long-term; inspiring youth to love wildlife as he did. Our goal is $100,000 to immediately establish a sustainable endowment fund.

All funds raised in Anton's Legacy will go directly to GCC and then wholly transferred into the newly forming "Anton Mzimba Education Trust". Founding trustee’s include the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Southern African Wildlife College, Elephants Alive and GCC - all of whom were extremely close with Anton and his community.

* It is also imperative to know that the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve is spearheading a parallel fundraising campaign to ensure the family's immediate needs are met. Funds are dedicated to trauma counseling for the entire family and ensuring the basic cost of living support is provided.

Anton, we love you. We miss you. We promise to honor you by carrying on your legacy and protecting the vulnerable wildlife you sacrificed your life to save.

We will never forget you...

The founding AMET Trustees:

GCC is a 501c3 nonprofit working to bridge the gap between wildlife and communities. GCC conserves wildlife by engaging with the communities, particularly youth, who live alongside that wildlife in Greater Kruger National Park, through our ‘Future Rangers’ Program - a name inspired by Anton. We provide youth with conservation education, experiences and mentorship to add value around wildlife.

Click here to learn more about Anton's Legacy