Black Mambas are helping protect wildlife from poachers
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339549)
Rockingham, Australia
December 19, 2023 7:28am CST
I read an interesting article recently about a group in South Africa called the Black Mambas. This is an all-female anti-poaching group that has been in operation since 2013.
Operating in Olifants West in Greater Kruger National Park, their main duty is to protect wild animals from poachers. They do this in several ways: by patrolling the borders and repairing fences; by removing snares and traps, and by educating the people in their communities. The women are highly skilled in survival techniques; don’t carry guns and wear camouflage gear to allow them to blend into the landscape.
From time to time, they also search every car that enters or leaves the reserve, always on the lookout for illegal firearms and/or illegal removal of rhino horn, elephant ivory or bush meats. When the Black Mambas first commenced their patrols, it wasn’t unusual for them to remove between 100 to 200 snares a day. Now, the numbers are much less. School children are taught to be proud of their iconic animals.
Any interventions that help stop poaching are to be commended. Endangered black and white rhinos are particularly vulnerable to poachers, with 195 rhinos dying in 2022.
The photo is mine. Unfortunately, this rhino is in a zoo but at least it won’t be killed for its horn.
21 people like this
24 responses
@SIDIKIMPOLE (1817)
• Eldoret, Kenya
28 Jun
True, they should leave animals to nature. Animals belong to Nature!
2 people like this
Woman power! 
@snowy22315 (180452)
• United States
19 Dec
Yay, sometimes it take a woman or several to get things done.
2 people like this
@arunima25 (87770)
• Bangalore, India
19 Dec
They are doing an incredible job and they should inspire others. A big salute to them
2 people like this
@marguicha (222844)
• Chile
19 Dec
Let us thank that there are such groups in the world. They are much needed.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339549)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
They are indeed and it's good to know that their efforts are making a difference.
@Tampa_girl7 (50205)
• United States
19 Dec
The Black Mambas are doing a great service.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (339549)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
It's great to think that animals are being saved by their efforts.
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
25 Jan
there is nothing like seeing a Rhino for real - it moves swiftly and silently and can creep up to your car or campsite without warning. The Rhino Poaching in South Africa is off the charts and all for a few pennies in a local's hand. The BIG culprits are from the Asian countries - Rhino poaching is being driven by the demand for rhino horn in Asian countries, particularly China and Viet Nam - In our local town we had six of our Rhinos killed and de-horned and left to rot for the vultures because of the medical properties Rhino Horns as so believed to have - it just horrific and every day we wish that poachers get the worst punishment ever as well as the MEN with the MONEY behind them.
I hope the Black Mambas Ladies are doing a good job!
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35574)
•
22 Dec
I know poachers nearly wiped out the elephant population for their tusks. Good to see there are patrols on guard. A Wildlife refuge to protect endangered species of animals has become a necessity. It is hard enough fending off lions and other predators seeking them for a meal.
1 person likes this
@SIDIKIMPOLE (1817)
• Eldoret, Kenya
28 Jun
Poachers should never be left to wipe out our rhinos. I support the mambas!!
1 person likes this
@SIDIKIMPOLE (1817)
• Eldoret, Kenya
28 Jun
@JudyEv Poaching is going on in most parts of the world. Even in our natural reserves here in Kenya.Rhinos and Elephants are hunted for their horns
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
19 Dec
Zoos can be an important link in the survival of endangered species. They have specialized breeding programs. Here in the states I read recently of a birth of a black rhino, I believe. Sounds like these are awesome women.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339549)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
You're right about the breeding programs. We have a lot of them here at different zoos. Monaro Open Plains Zoo has wild animals living under natural but protected conditions. We visited there some time ago.
@FourWalls (67775)
• United States
19 Dec
Too bad the rhinos have to be in a “prison” of sorts instead of the poachers being in a real prison.
I know zoos aren’t great but they do help with conservation efforts. Plus, I would never have seen a meerkat up close had it not been for the African display at our zoo!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339549)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Dec
I think the park is huge. I just checked. Olifants Park is privately owned but encompasses 6,500 hectares so it's a big place. However, the grass is always greener ...
I also just discovered it's not open to the public but only to shareholders and their visitors but I guess you can't have everything.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (79714)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
19 Dec
All I gotta say is go Black Mambas go. Perhaps they should carry along a real mamba so if someone does not listen they get threatened with a deadly bite just saying,
1 person likes this
@sathviksouvik (19430)
•
21 Dec
excellent share I also support preservation of wildlife in forests
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339549)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Dec
There are many people who struggle to protect the wildlife in their own countries. There are caged birds at this house-sit and I wish they could be free but at least they have a large cage.
@LindaOHio (178131)
• United States
20 Dec
I'm thankful for groups such as this.
1 person likes this
