Unarmed Women Take On Wildlife Poachers, RivCo Nonprofit Gives Praise

PALM DESERT, CA — A group of women — who call themselves Black Mamba and work to protect black rhinos and other wildlife from poachers in South Africa — has received a prestigious international award, thanks in part to Palm Desert-based nonprofit The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

"The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is proud to share that a key conservation partner, the Northern Team of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit of South Africa, received highly commended recognition by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature’s International Ranger Award for their commitment to protecting black rhinos and other wildlife in Balule Nature Reserve," according to a Living Desert news release.

Dr. James Danoff-Burg of The Living Desert nominated the Black Mamba for the award that was handed out last month via the IUCN’s Africa Protected Areas Congress held in Kigali, Rwanda. The award recognizes groups and individuals who protect nature and help local communities. The all-female Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit has been a conservation partner of The Living Desert since 2017.

The Black Mamba's work is dangerous but rewarding. The women don't carry firearms yet they have helped reduce overall wildlife poaching, snaring, and poisoning activities by over 89 percent and rhino poaching by 63 percent by directly patrolling active poaching areas, according to The Living Desert.

Furthermore, to help address a core motivator for bushmeat poaching — food scarcity — the Black Mamba has established a community vegetable garden whose yields are regularly distributed to the community. Additionally, their Bush Babies Environmental Education Programs bring the Mambas into schools and communities to inspire the next generation to support habitat and species conservation.

RELATED: These Badass Women Are Taking on Poachers—and Winning

Their work is not without risks.

“We are honored to receive this international recognition for the work of our dedicated team of Rangers, and we recognize and mourn our fallen colleagues who have sacrificed their lives," according to a joint statement from the Northern Team of the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit. “Rangers and their support team are doing critical conservation work in the most remote areas of our planet."

Danoff-Burg praised the women.

“The Black Mambas are a brave and courageous group of women who are committed to saving wildlife, helping their communities thrive, and building the next generation of conservationists,” he said. “By using a diverse set of approaches to help combat wildlife poaching including active, unarmed patrolling, coupled with socio-economic development efforts, food distribution, and community and educational outreach the Mambas truly are making a difference.”