Animal Poaching in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Women’s Anti-poaching Group Protecting Elephants – BBC News 08 May 2018

Video Journalist: Charlotte Pamment

• “If you do something wrong to my animals, I will catch you” – Vimbai Kumire
• Akashinga is one of Africa’s only armed female anti-poaching units
• Many Akashinga Women are abuse survivors and single mothers. (Despite being in bad situations are being abused they are using their time and skill for the greater good).
• “It gives me courage that I am someone” – Nyaradzo Hoto
• Damien Mander : The Founder, International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF)
• Damien did a selection course for 189 men 6/7 years ago. At the end of day one, there was 3 left – at the end of day 3 with these women only 3 had pulled off. (Shows how determined Women are compared to Men regarding Anti-Poaching)
• A former Trophy Hunter has formed a new Reserve group of rangers
• Zimbabwe has one of the largest elephant populations left on the continent
• Elephants were being poisoned with Cyanide
• Sometimes it is hard for the Akashinga to catch poacher, when they can sometimes live in the same village as you or the next village. (This issue is one that is very ‘close to home’)
• “Long-term solutions involve winning the hearts and minds of the community, and the most effective way to do that is through women” – Damien Mander. (I feel this is one of the most important and relevant suggestions ever said, things can not change unless we (community) are all on the same wave length. Women are mothers are, who have a natural nurturing and caring nature.)
• Video Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-44074292/akashinga-the-armed-women-protecting-zimbabwe-s-elephants

African Wildlife Foundation Website

• Between 2001 & 2014, the number of elephants was dramatically reduced by 36%. – African Wildlife Foundation Website https://www.awf.org/country/zimbabwe
• Elephants aren’t the only iconic species suffering at the hands of poachers. In only 5 years 500 rhinos were lost to poaching in Zimbabwe.
• African Wildlife Foundation Website https://www.awf.org/country/zimbabwe