237:, who has been documenting the Black Mambas APU, says of the women that "For all of them, the love for nature and its conservation runs deep. Their ethos is to protect this heritage of wildlife." The rangers not only face dangers from poachers, but also from large wildlife; Ranger Siphiwe Sithole said, "I don't know when I am going to face a lion." Another member, Leitah Mkhabela, said regarding poachers, "I am not afraid. I know what I am doing and why I am doing it."
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178:). There are currently forty two staff members in the Black Mamba APU team, with thirty five of them being women rangers. Each member spends 21 days a month patrolling the reserves. They start each day, military style, with a parade and then issued orders before patrols leave on their missions. Each of the rangers is trained in
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of wildlife in the areas of deployment by 62% within its first year of deployment. The Mambas are trained to find and remove snares before animals are trapped in them. During 2015, there was a period of ten months during which no
206:. Due to internal financial issues, the department stopped the subsidy in March 2022. From April 2022, Transfrontier Africa NPC relies solely on fundraising, grants, and donations to support the project. Currently, a newly formed
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The Mambas come from the local communities near the
Greater Kruger area. For many Black Mambas, becoming a ranger has become big step in life, right after high school. The Unit had been part of the nationwide
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At first people were sceptical that "women could do this traditionally male job and be good at it." Now, within their communities, the Black Mambas have become village heroes. Photographer
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158:(UNEP). In the period between 2013 and 2022, the Black Mamba APU has won 10 International awards, for innovative approach to wildlife conservation.
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conservation network. Leitah represented women rangers on this international platform, showcasing the work of the Black Mambas.
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In June 2023, Leitah
Mkhabela joined a delegation of rangers and film crew members at the private premiere of the documentary
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134:(Black Mamba APU) is the world's first officially-formed, registered and recognised all-female wildlife
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186:, but work unarmed: they protect the animals by creating a "visible police presence, like a British
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553:"The Black Mambas, a Mostly Female Anti-Poaching Force, Have Won a Top U.N. Environmental Award"
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category in the South
African Rhino Conservation Awards. Later that year, they won the
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2019 - Resilient
Efforts Through Cultural Diversity and Environmental Sensitivity by
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unit, founded in 2013, with the purpose of protecting wildlife in the regions of the
643:"Mostly Female Anti-Poaching Unit From South Africa Wins Top UN Environmental Prize"
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615:"Meet The Black Mambas, South Africa's Majority-Female Anti-Poaching Unit"
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459:"World's First All-Female Patrol Protecting South Africa's Rhinos"
582:"'Black Mamba' Female Rangers Awarded for Anti-Poaching Efforts"
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2020 - Ranger of the Year (Supervisor Leitah
Mkhabela) by the
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2021 - Highly
Commended Ranger (Sergeant Nkateko Mzimba) by
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2023 - Best Field Ranger (Sergeant
Nkateko Letti Mzimba) by
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Department of
Fisheries, Forestry and Environmental Affairs
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of South Africa. The Black Mamba APU was awarded the
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708:Environmental organisations based in South Africa
16:Mostly female conservation effort in South Africa
212:The Bush Babies Environmental Education Program
492:"'Black Mambas' on South African Rhino Patrol"
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394:Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council
384:Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council
221:, shut down five poacher camps, and reduced
198:program, that received 30% subsidy from the
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307:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
240:In July 2015, the Black Mamba APU won the
217:The unit assisted with several arrests of
86:Conservation. Education. Women Empowerment
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327:Learn how and when to remove this message
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356:2022 - Highly Commended Ranger Team by
339:The unit has won the following awards:
613:Frank, Priscilla (10 September 2015).
401:2015 - Champions of the Earth by the
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305:adding citations to reliable sources
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693:2013 establishments in South Africa
156:United Nations Environment Program
22:The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit
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703:Organizations established in 2013
370:International Paradise Foundation
349:2022 - Pioneers with Purpose by
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517:"Help Us To Stop the Slaughter"
398:2017 - Eco-Warrior Silver Award
388:2019 - Change Maker in Tourism
375:2020 - Earth Care Award by the
677:Black Mambas: Saving the Rhino
351:Scientific Exploration Society
242:Best Conservation Practitioner
132:Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit
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490:Hahn, Julia (30 March 2015).
77:Non-governmental organisation
246:Champions of the Earth Award
140:Olifants West Nature Reserve
345:African Conservation Awards
122:www.transfrontierafrica.com
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33:Black Mambas Women Rangers
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409:Rhino Conservation Award
166:The unit was created by
259:Prince William of Wales
154:Award, in 2015, by the
152:Champions of the Earth
230:were poached at all.
196:Environmental Monitor
176:Dendroaspis polylepis
527:on 23 September 2015
521:Transfrontier Africa
301:improve this section
208:Black Mamba Alliance
619:The Huffington Post
263:United for Wildlife
94:Greater Kruger Area
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649:. 8 September 2015
426:How Many Elephants
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104:South Africa
91:Headquarters
39:Abbreviation
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431:Holly Budge
377:Sierra Club
248:from UNEP.
172:black mamba
144:buffer zone
51:Black mamba
47:Named after
687:Categories
437:References
269:Awards won
142:, and the
421:Akashinga
288:does not
254:Rhino Man
57:Formation
713:Poaching
415:See also
317:May 2023
261:and his
219:poachers
180:tracking
679:(video)
372:, China
309:removed
294:sources
223:snaring
174:snake (
146:in the
119:Website
110:Staff
100:Region
83:Purpose
65:Founder
228:rhinos
184:combat
136:ranger
379:, USA
188:bobby
162:About
655:2015
626:2015
593:2015
564:2015
557:Time
533:2015
503:2015
470:2015
364:IUCN
358:IUCN
353:, UK
292:any
290:cite
182:and
73:Type
60:2013
586:PBS
392:by
303:by
190:."
129:The
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