The Black Mambas

Meet the ladies of The Black Mamba anti-poaching unit, an all-female anti-poaching unit that is making waves in conservation. The Black Mamba anti-poaching unit was founded in 2013 by Transfrontier Africa and were created to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa. They have since expanded to cover the entire Balule area, 400km², which forms part of the greater Kruger Park.

The Black Mambas are often portrayed as women doing a man’s job. But perhaps that is not the case. Perhaps they are women doing what women do best: nurturing, educating and taking care of our communities and wildlife.

When Craig Spencer from Transfrontier Africa was asked to help with the increasing poaching problem he realised that a new approach was needed. Poaching is evolving and the poachers now have access to greater tools then before. He knew that we couldn’t solve the same old problem with the same old tools. A new approach was needed, hence, the Black Mamba initiative. ‘We need a rapid return on our investment and therefore we invest in the women of these communities.’ The women are the ones taking care of their families, the sick and the elderly. They are the ones harvesting fire wood and providing for the house hold. The women are the heart and soul of the community and by investing in them Craig knew that he was investing in the future of these communities and our natural heritage. Initially the men laughed at the Mambas, telling them not to go out and do a man’s job, but to rather stay at home and cook and clean. This perception soon changed and the Mambas are now highly respected within their communities and valued for the work they do.
The Black Mamba initiative is a social upliftment program that aims to address unemployment and assist with skills development in South Africa. All Black Mamba recruits are from local, previously disadvantaged communities and go through a rigorous 6 week training programme prior to deployment with an existing unit to further their training through work experience.
‘Yes, our main objective is the protection of wildlife but 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 the benefits of saving their natural heritage. It is our belief that the war on poaching will not be won with guns and bullets, but through the local communities and education.’

The Black Mambas have had great success since they started in 2013. They have identified and destroyed over 12 poachers’ camps and 3 bush meat kitchens within the “buffer-zone” as well as reduced snaring and poisoning activities by 76% within the area of operation since their deployment in 2013. Anti-poaching is a major need in the area and the reserve is constantly plagued by rhino and bush-meat poachers. But the real success comes from the ambassadorial role they play in the communities. By educating the local communities and creating awareness about conservation and the value of our natural heritage they are creating real change at the root level. By instilling a sense of pride and ownership towards our wildlife they are teaching the local communities the value of our wildlife and thus creating a need for them to be involved in conservation.

The Mambas have also branched out into the local schools with The Bushbabies Program which is aimed at teaching environmental education to the next generation. Thus they are creating a consciousness of conservation for future generations.

The Mambas are changing the face of conservation and challenging gender stereotypes. Their passion and love for their work is what makes them so successful. They are proof that the war on poaching will not be won with guns and bullets but rather in working with the local communities through education and awareness.