World Image Magazine Issue 31 April 2016 | Page 15

After the Application and selection process all training is
provided for the ladies and covers; Fence and perimeter
patrols, Sweeping formations, Radio protocol, Animal
identification, Animal observation, Search and Seizures, Arrest
Procedures, Road blocks and access control, Weapons training,
Hand to Hand combat training, Trauma First aid level 2, Court
room procedures and statement writing, Vehicle Maintenance,
Observation posts (nocturnal & diurnal), Para-military training
and Drills

Zones.
With the Black Mambas constant visual policing, any signs of
poachers entering the reserve in order to poach rhino has been
picked up quickly, allowing for the poachers to be tracked and
caught before having the chance to locate and poach rhino.
Our success is due to two very important factors, our 3-tiered
strategy and the passion of these young women!
Finances are our biggest struggle. We
would love to be able to employ more
women and expand into new areas, but
we struggle daily to fund the operations
we have running at the present time.
All of the Black Mambas salaries are paid
for by SANParks through the Extended
Public Works Program, but we are
responsible for all other costs, such as
Uniforms, Equipment, Food, Vehicles
and fuel. We rely heavily on funding to
cover these expenses. It would be a great
help if within your article you could
mention the links to our website,
donation page and Facebook.
The two main types of poaching that we
deal with on a daily basis are Bush meat
poaching through the use of Snares and
Rhino poaching, involving poachers
breaking into the reserve to shot and dehorn rhinos. Snaring within the Black
Mambas area of operation has dropped
by 76% since there deployment in 2013.
This has been achieved by identifying
snaring ‘hot spots’ and pushing these
poachers out of these areas and the
reserve. With the Black Mambas constant
visual policing, any signs of poachers
entering the reserve in order to poach
rhino have been picked up quickly,
allowing for the poachers to be tracked
and caught before having the chance to
locate and poach rhino.
Bush meat kitchens are usually found
next too or part of a Poachers camp. This
is where they butcher the species that
they have found trapped in the snare they
set previously at an earlier date.

Our teams are subjected to regular lie detector tests to ensure
there integrity. We are very happy to say that we have not had
a single staff member fail the test.
When poachers are apprehended they are turned over to SAPS,
along with any evidence collected. The two main types of
poaching that we deal with on a daily basis are Bush meat
poaching through the use of Snares and Rhino poaching,
involving poachers breaking into the reserve to shot and dehorn rhinos. Snaring within the Black Mambas area of
operation has dropped by 76% within the boundaries of the
reserve there deployment in 2013 and 68% within the Buffer

Website = www.worldimagemag.com

The animal will be skinned the meat cut into more manageable
sizes and then hung to dry for the ease of transport. Snares are
non-selective, and although they are placed in positions to trap
antelopes, giraffe or Zebra other species can also fall victim.
We have found Cheetahs, wild dogs, Rhino, Elephants and
Lions all needing medical treatment after becoming entangled
within wire snares.

To donate visit www.blackmambas.org

Page 15

Our thanks to the Black Mamba APU
for H\