Women For Wildlife

Women For Wildlife

Fighting Poaching With Empowerment

Poaching not only devastates countless species but leads to the social and moral decay of surrounding communities. The 'war' on poaching breeds violence and corruption, and results in overwhelming loss of life, both wildlife and people. The Black Mambas, South Africa's first female anti-poaching unit, is fighting to win this war, not with guns and bullets, but with social upliftment and education.

Mothers and Matriarchs

Inside the Olifants West Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa, a team of army-trained women guard the frontline. Having grown up alongside Africa’s iconic animals – rhinos, elephants, lions and much more – they’ve seen firsthand the destruction caused by poaching. Utterly heartbroken and highly concerned for their children’s future, these women – first mothers, then rangers and now leaders in the community – strive for peace.

Give $40 and provide a Black Mamba ranger with a spotlight to aid their anti-poaching night patrols.

A Peaceful but Powerful Presence

With our support, the Black Mambas work to create a powerful presence in the reserve and neighbouring villages. By closely monitoring over 150,000 acres of habitat and building relationships in the surrounding communities, they’re able to make the area undesirable and unprofitable for poaching as possible. Their peaceful tactics have helped to reduce the incidents of snaring and poaching by up to eighty percent. What’s more, in an effort to completely eliminate violence in these areas, they do this all unarmed.

Give $100 and help cover the vehicle fuel costs for the anti-poaching patrol teams, of which they require 5 gallons (20 litres) litres per day.

First Line of Defence

The Black Mambas act as the first line of defence against wildlife criminals. Their peaceful, community-focused efforts allow them to detect suspicious activity early. Whilst they’re on foot patrols searching for snares, tracking human footprints or educating people within the communities, they’re in a position to receive information directly, and raise the alarm. They then call in for backup, or the trained special forces to make arrests.

Make a gift of $200 and provide a Black Mamba ranger with the appropriate footwear to complete foot patrols through dense habitat.

Educating the Next Generation

The Black Mambas are more than just anti-poaching units. Whilst their main objective is security and protection of the reserve and its wildlife, they bring about real, long-term change through education. By establishing community programs, they’re educating the future leaders of society – the children – on the importance of conservation and the ongoing effects of poaching. It’s these programs that help bring the community closer together to celebrate the power of knowledge and install a proud, empathetic and patriotic attitude towards wildlife and the environment.