The Black Mambas anti-poaching unit work tirelessly, in harsh conditions, to protect South Africa’s wildlife. These patrol officers cover 50,000 hectares of ground within the Balule Nature Reserve that forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park area. This area is densely populated with rhinos and is sadly fraught with poaching activity.
‘The Balule Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park, is home to the largest population of rhino in the world and also is victim to more poaching attacks than any other area,’ says the Helping Rhinos website.
The all-female anti-poaching unit is a first for South Africa. Founded in 2013 by Transfrontier Africa NPC. Originally the unit was created to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule. After the first year their operations expanded to protect all boundaries of Balule. Since its inception the unit have added one male member to their team.
First and foremost this is an ant-poaching unit but their work is rooted much deeper than this. These women are the voices that educate the communities bordering with Balulue Nature Reserve and the Greater Kruger National Park area.
In a statement, the Black Mambas said: ‘We also strive to create a strong bond and educate the communities that live on the boundaries of Balule and the Greater Kruger Park to install a proud, sympathetic and patriotic community with pro-environmental ethos. These women with a passion for wildlife and rhino conservation, are the voice in the community through their conservation work.
‘They want their communities to understand that the benefits are greater through rhino and wildlife conservation rather than poaching, addressing the social and moral decay that is a product of the rhino poaching within their communities. They are concerned for their children as the false economy has brought loose morals and narcotics into their communities,’ says a statement made by the Black Mambas.
The Black Mambas risk their lives to protect our natural world and the species that inhabit it. Their approach is focused on sustainable protection of wildlife. Rather than teaching someone how to shoot a gun, this team wants to educate and uplift communities about the importance of conservation.
‘It is our belief that the ‘war’ on poaching will not be won with guns and bullets, but through social upliftment and the education of local communities surrounding the reserves. The Black Mambas are not only Anti-Poaching Rangers, they are role models who cherish life and do not want to live in a village of orphans and widows.’
The Black Mambas are a force to be reckoned with and their work is commendable and crucial.
Image credit: Facebook/ Black Mambas
