Finally, some good news about the preservation rather than the destruction of endangered animals. The Facebook page,
A Mighty Girl writes:
The world's first all-female anti-poaching patrol unit is fighting to save endangered rhinos in South Africa! The Black Mamba squad is made up of 26 local women who patrol the Balule Nature Reserve, an area rich in wildlife due at risk to the poaching crisis in the country. And, reports show that the Black Mambas are making a huge difference -- in the past ten months, the reserve has not lost a single rhino while a neighboring reserve lost 23 endangered rhinos during the same period.
The government officials feel hiring these woman is a more effective means to stop poachers. Women are seen as protectors of the animals and African resources. They bring that concern back to their villages and communities. Armed uniformed guards are seen more as authority figures and not as popular with the people.
It makes sense, though there is some dissonance regarding women holding these positions:
“Lots of people said, how can you work in the bush when you are a lady? But I can do anything I want,” said Leitah Michabela, a Black Mamba for the last two years. “I am a lady, I am going to have a baby. I want my baby to see a rhino, that’s why I am protecting it.”
“If we work together as a community we can work this out. People need to open their minds, their hearts. It’s not about money, it’s about our culture, our future.”
You can visit the The Black Mambas Facebook Page here:
Black Mamba's Anti-Poaching Unit
South Africa is home to more than 80% of Africa’s rhino populations where they are under constant threat. Working in conjunction with the reserve's armed guards, the Black Mambas set up listening posts as well as search for and destroy poacher’s camps, wire snares, and bush-meat kitchens every day. Due to such efforts, snare poaching has dropped in the park by 90%.
Thank you to
A Mighty Girl Facebook Page for bringing light to the Black Mamba squad.
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