Akashinga - The Brave Ones

​worldanimalnews.com/damian-mander-talks-about-the-new-recruitment-of-zimbabwes-first-all-female-akashinga-anti-poaching-rangers/

Zimbabwe is home to some of the most imperiled and endangered species on the planet and poaching remains these animals greatest threat. Poaching of animal like elephants, lions, rhinos, and leopards, had lead some of these beautiful animals down a dangerous path towards extinction. Efforts to curtail poaching have been in place for years but the black market is strong and people continue to poach in hopes of making big money off the sale of parts from these wild and endangered animals and that's where Akashinga come in.

In 2017, a story emerged about Zimbabwe's very first all female, vegan anti-poaching group. Originally a 16 woman group, the success of the movement has been astronomical and the numbers have continued to swell with more and more women dedicating themselves to protecting their land and the animals that live in harmony with them. The women's troop was special because they were easily able to build relationships with local communities and form bonds relaying the necessity of conservation and working with locals to strengthen the efforts.

The women's unique ability to form bonds with locals has led to an increase in assistance in turning over information regarding to illegal poaching. In fact, since 2017, 115 arrests have been made in regard to illegal poaching thanks to this troop of dedicated women. The arrests relate to many organized crime syndicates involved with cyanide bombs, ivory, pangolin, weapons, and commercial  bush meat. These crime syndicates have been broken up and it is reported that there has been an 80% reduction in elephant poaching in the region since 2016. This speaks volumes to the group's success.

Akashinga - Photo Taken from World Animal News

The increase in interest and desired participation has now led to a new training program for 240 new women who wish to dedicate themselves to this amazing cause. These women; all of which are vegan, are the next round of recruits which will allow for more area to be monitored and more poachers to be targeted leading to an even further decline in elephant and other animals being poached. 

Damien Mander, the organizer of the group can't speak enough praises about the women and the hard work they do. Originally when creating this team, he trained both men and women but found the women to be more dedicated and willing to push themselves to help with conservation. He says that a woman's natural instincts to protect are what make them such fierce anti-poaching allies. Simply put, women are natural nurturers meaning they are naturally inclined to protect. These instincts make them the ideal candidates for such difficult work because they understand the importance of protecting and conserving the species that are poached here.

With such a strong force of dedicated, amazing women, I imagine we will see a continued decline in poaching and an increase in arrests as the group spreads out and takes on more wildlife game reserves. These women deserve the praise for doing some of the most dangerous work on the planet. Their dedication to protecting endangered animals is quite magnificent.

Head to the link at the top of the page for the full story on this group of amazing women!

HAPPY VEG