They are dressed in military style fatigues and heavy combat boots, their hair braided African style. As they patrol an area as large as 20,000 hectares, they expertly study the terrain for signs of predators. Not lions. Not hyenas. Nor leopards or cheetahs. These ladies are looking for human predators. Their name is enough to strike terror into the heart of their opponents. They are the Black Mambas of the Olifants River Game Reserve and they mean business. Their journey is one of courage and compassion. Its beginning marked the moment when a frustrated game ranger with a devastatingly huge problem, decided to switch to a revolutionary new approach.
A Species Driven to the Brink by Poachers
In 2013, the annual rhino poaching figures first rose to over 1000 animals lost per year. Although the bulk of the rhino deaths occurred in the Kruger National Park, which is difficult to patrol due to its size, smaller nature reserves were often more vulnerable to the effects of poaching.
Straddling the western border of the Kruger National Park, the Balule Nature Reserve consists of a series of interconnected privately owned game lodges, where individual fences had been removed to allow for a greater gene pool of its resident species. It was a great strategy for increased tourism and for biodiversity. But unfortunately, this new policy had one huge draw-back. It also made it that much easier for poachers to carry out their nefarious operations.
Wildlife operations were soon overwhelmed by the sheer scale of this onslaught on a single species. But several organizations launched initiatives to stem this tide of blood and violence. Saving the Survivors, a group of wildlife veterinarians, employed pioneering surgery techniques to save the lives of mutilated rhinos, who had often been cruelly left for dead. Rhino Rescue provided support to young rhino calves orphaned by poaching. And one pilot project used treated rhino horn with toxins to render it unattractive to end users.
But then Craig Spencer, head warden of the Balule Nature Reserve had a brainwave that would address the problem at its heart. As a visionary, he realized that the struggle needed to make a connection to local communities to become truly effective. And women form the heart and soul of African villages. But Craig needed to think of a name that would instantly terrorize even the most ruthless poacher. He took inspiration from one of the most feared snakes of the region - the black mamba. But would his team of local tough-women live up to the reputation of their namesakes?
Six Brave Girls…
The first six Black Mambas began training in 2013. What they faced, represented a massive culture shock. Although the women were from the nearby rural villages, they were ignorant about the wildlife species who shared the veld with them and unfamiliar with the disciplined group dynamic required for such a project. The training environment was also intensely masculine. These types of boot camps were predominantly run by military veterans, who were a world removed from their raw young recruits.
The first field trip was an absolute disaster. Instead of being gradually introduced to the animals at a safe distance, they stumbled upon a full pride of lions enjoying a kudu dinner. In that shocking moment of truth, it wasn’t months of training that kicked in, but the instinctive fear of an apex predator. The ladies ran off, screaming for help on the two-way radio. Hilariously, the object of their terror - the lions - were equally spooked by the encounter, and took off at full speed in the opposite direction. And worst of all, their mentor Craig Spencer laughed his head off. From such an inauspicious introduction, it would have been easy to assume that the Black Mambas were finished even before they got started. But then, something surprising happened.
This humiliating origin story became woven into the culture of the unit, resurfacing as a humorous little drama which they later performed for their peers. Recognizing the value of roleplay, the Black Mambas still employ it to prepare for their role, to get into the minds of their opponents and to use for educational purposes.
Determined to rise above this early setback, the Black Mambas knuckled down, perfecting skills such as bushcraft, tactical training, and two-way radio procedure. They also had to complete grueling endurance runs and develop the mental tenacity to spend long hours in surveillance. But despite these hardships, the women were determined to succeed. The program filled recruits with a sense of purpose, an adventurous alternative to drudging through the sort of domestic village chores traditionally assigned to women. When they returned proud and triumphant to their villages, more young girls applied to join the initiative.
Ambassadors For Change
At first, seasoned game rangers were skeptical about the program. How could a team of women who weren’t even armed hope to tackle a criminal network known for its relentless violence and its insidious links to corruption, even at the highest levels in government? An organization that even had the police stumped? The answer lay in the multifaceted approach of the Black Mambas.
By providing visible policing across an area of 20,000 hectares, the Black Mambas act as a deterrent for poaching operations. When on their rounds, they are in radio contact with armed back-up, which can be on the scene within moments. But their real value to the program lies in the positive message with which they return to their communities. As powerful role models to the village children, they share a commitment to preserving the wildlife heritage for future generations. Part of their time is spent in outreach initiatives, such as the popular Bush Baby program.
From humble beginnings, the Black Mambas grew into an elite unit with a proud reputation for excellence. The fact that their presence led to a 64 percent reduction in poaching activity in the region they patrol has not gone unnoticed and among the accolades they earned was being named Champions of the Earth by the United Nations Environmental Program and forming an honour guard for then South African president, Jacob Zuma. It’s hardly surprising that there is now talk of turning their incredible story into a Hollywood movie. But despite these honors and awards, the Black Mambas are still as humble, approachable and engaging, as they were twelve years ago.
The Black Mambas Facebook page has over 44,000 followers. Still true to their roots, they often partner with creatives to raise awareness for conservation through storytelling initiatives.
Sources:
https://www.traffic.org/news/south-africa-confirms-2014-worst-on-record-for-rhino-poaching/
Balule Nature Reserve - Wikipedia
About Us – Saving The Survivors
Rhino Rescue Centre - The Rhino Orphanage
Poisoned rhino horn won't deter poaching in the Kruger | SAnews
(535) Craig Spencer Interview, June 2017 - YouTube
Kruger Park Times - Myths, facts and more about the Black Mamba…
Black Mamba Anti Poaching Unit (helpingrhinos.org)
Heart of a Game Ranger by Mario Cesare (2017/Jonathan Ball Publishers)
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