WORDS by HTWE | IMAGES CREDITED INDIVIDUALLY
The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit
“I wake up in the morning, and I know that my life may be in danger.”
This is what you expect to hear from someone that lives in a warzone, and that is exactly what the greater Kruger National Park has become. The war is between poachers and rangers, and the object of the war is Africa’s wildlife.
In the middle of this warzone, one unit stands out. They are the Black Mambas; an all-women anti-poaching unit operating within Balule Nature Reserve. These women risk their lives every single day to protect our wildlife and preserve it for future generations. “We take care of our children, but we must also take care of our wildlife” says one of these brave women.
Image credit: Julia Gunther for Black Mamba APU
You may think that a woman is not a significant deterrent for the merciless poachers that operate in the area, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Black Mambas are feared and widely known, and their work to protect the Balule Nature Reserve has been very successful. The Black Mambas have identified and destroyed over 12 poachers’ camps and 3 bush meat kitchens, as well as reduced snaring and poisoning activities by 76% within their area of operation since their deployment in 2013.
In addition to their anti-poaching work, these women also fulfil an important role as teachers. Through the Bush Babies Environmental Education Programme, they reach out to primary schools in the greater Kruger area. The objectives of this program are to bring knowledge to life, raise awareness of their surrounding environment, give a better understanding of conservation, lead to sustainable use of resources and instil environmental problem-solving skills, ultimately fostering an ethical ethos in our future generations.
Image credit: Black Mambas APU
Image Credit: Black Bean Productions for Black Mamba APU
Image Credit: Black Bean Productions for Black Mamba APU
Image Credit: Black Bean Productions for Black Mamba APU
Image Credit: Black Bean Productions for Black Mamba APU
Image Credit: Black Bean Productions for Black Mamba APU
Image Credit: Black Bean Productions for Black Mamba APU
Image Credit: Black Bean Productions for Black Mamba APU
For more information about the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, visit: www.blackmambas.org
