The Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit

Coaching in Combat

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The Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit (NGO)

COACHING IN COMBAT

The Black Mamba APU was founded in 2012 by Transfrontier Africa and created to protect the Olifants West Region of Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa. It has since expanded to cover the entire Balule area of 400km².

The Black Mambas are the world’s first female anti-poaching unit (APU).  They work 24/7, 365 days a year to protect the wildlife of the Greater Kruger area, South Africa. 

The Black Mambas APU are no ’normal’ anti-poaching unit.  As well as patrolling, doing vehicle checks and anti-poaching snare sweeps across the landscape, they also run the ‘Bush Babies’ programme that supports over 1200 children around the Nature Reserve.  Helping teach the children about nature, how to support their ecosystem, grow healthy food, and how to live side by side with the wildlife.  This has been a game changer in the anti-poaching arena as this is helping to prevent the move towards crime and the need to poach, but ensuring the local communities have access to good education and therefore more options for the future.

 
 

Read About the Mambas

The British Women Behind the Worlds First All Female Anti-Poaching Unit

Named after Africa's most deadly snake...

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The New Black Mamba Crime Prevention Unit

As the responsibilities of the Mambas have increased in recent years, it has become necessary to deploy a team that focuses solely on crime prevention; allowing the Black Mambas APU to focus on, and continue with their disruptive patrols.

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How the Black Mambas Female Anti-Poaching Unit is Protecting Wildlife and Nurturing Community

Black Mamba, Best Mother...

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Black Mambas APU: 10 Years in Anti-Poaching

January 2023- Transfrontier Africa Monthly Newsletter

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What's going on in 2024?

Unfortunately during 2022/2023 we saw a full resurgence of poaching, assassinations and criminal activity across the region. As we step into 2024, with borders and markets now fully open again, countering international wildlife crime is now, more than ever, crucial to wildlife preservation across the region.  The Black Mambas will continue to respond with increased patrols, alongside the development of their new Crime Prevention Unit (CPU).  

The Black Mambas have also been awarded special site status for rehabilitating Pangolins that have been trafficked and are in distress. There are only a few Nature Reserves in South Africa that are effective enough at their anti-poaching, to be allowed this honour - the Pangolin numbers are currently being decimated, so their effective support and protection is imperative to their survival as a species.

The Mambas work non-stop to protect the wildlife in Greater Kruger, and the partner ‘Bush Babies’ programme will continue to support the education of over 1200 children around the Reserve to help create a more informed and educational ‘next generation’ who are seeking to protect, not exploit or poach their national natural treasures. 

Support Anti-Poaching

The Black Mambas Anti-poaching unit, and their sister programme, the Bush Babies, are both run 100% on donations from amazing people like you.

Your support will help ensure that the Rhinos, Elephants, Lions and other wonderful beasts of the wild survive - give them a chance - help the Mambas be their best and please donate whatever you can :)

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Alice's work with the Black Mambas... 

Alice started working with the Black Mambas in October 2016, providing team building and mindset training. She went back to Balule in March/April 2017 to help develop the management practises of the Black Mambas, and undertake a review of their working practises in light of the ever evolving and worsening poaching levels across the region.

Following on from the progress made in Spring 2017, Alice returned in July/August to run a resilience, leadership and development package for the Black Mambas. This included career development and financial planning workshops, to develop broader personal and financial resilience to complement their role as leaders in their communities, as well as within the anti-poaching arena.

The next stage of their training was in July 2019, when Alice spent a month with the Mambas, supporting their leadership and team development. This saw a period where the Mambas’ work broached the boundaries of financial crime, and tourism. They received the Global Peace through Tourism Award in July 2019, and were key note speakers at a financial gathering of 13 banks, from across 18 Countries in Africa; helping them understand the link between International Wildlife Crime and money laundering.

 

2024 OPPORTUNITIES

Alice continues to support the Black Mambas APU, and broader anti-poaching community: not only by going into country to help train the Mambas, but as their UK Ambassador, she also provides talks across the finance and corporate domain, and at private events and schools.  

These have included YPO, Bloomberg, Amazon, KPMG, BNP Paribas, Sibos, NHS, Wipro, Dogs Trust, Explorers Club and many more.

The Black Mambas story never fails to inspire.

Also since 2017, Alice and her team have collected and distributed over 1000Kg of combat uniforms for the Black Mambas from UK military veterans and donors.

Upcoming Events:

- June 2024: Black Mambas APU Resilience Retreat, South Africa

If you would like Alice to come and speak to your team about how you can support the Black Mambas, or if you would like to hear more about the Black Mambas Resilience Retreat, book a call today to find out more. 

Alice started working with the Black Mambas in October 2016, providing team building and mindset training. She went back to Balule in March/April 2017 to help develop the management practises of the Black Mambas, and undertaking a review of their working practises in light of the ever evolving and worsening poaching levels across the region.

Following on from the progress made in Spring 2017, Alice returned in July/August to run a resilience, leadership and development package for the Black Mambas. This included career development and financial planning workshops, to develop broader personal and financial resilience to complement their role as leaders in their communities, as well as within the anti-poaching arena.

The next stage of their training was in July 2019, when Alice spent a month with the Mambas, supporting their leadership and team development. This saw a period where the Mambas’ work broached the boundaries of financial crime, and tourism. They received the Global Peace through Tourism Award in July 19, and were key note speakers at a financial gathering of 13 banks, from across 18 Countries in Africa; helping them understand the link between International Wildlife Crime and money laundering.

2024 OPPORTUNITIES

Alice continues to support the Black Mambas APU, and broader anti-poaching community: not only by going into country to help train the Mambas, but as their UK Ambassador, she also provides talks to everyone from schools, to international banks, and everything in between… 

Upcoming Events:

- January 2024: Wildlife Conservation World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland.

March 2024: International Womens Day

June/July 2024: Black Mambas Resilience & Leadership Retreat, South Africa

If you would like Alice to come and speak to your team about how you can support the Black Mambas, or if you are interested in the Black Mambas retreat book a call today to find out more.

Book your Black Mambas speaking event
Book your Black Mambas Retreat

Black Mambas APU

South Africa Resilience & Leadership Retreat  

Empowering Success Exclusive 

(June-July 2024)

Find out more...

Black Mambas Recognition & Awards

Conservation Awards

In March 2020, the Mambas were again recognised by the International Community, being at the forefront of Apples ‘Behind the Mac’ campaign - championing women breaking boundaries across the globe. Check out the video here.

The Mambas were also the lead for ‘A Mighty Girl’ on Facebook for World Wildlife Day, commending their efforts for protecting endangered species in South Africa. Click to see the article.

And in 2021 they were at the forefront of the Samsung International Womens Day campaign, with the launch of ‘Bush Watch’ so that you could watch the anti-poaching cameras from your home too…..

In October 2022 the Black Mambas were yet again recognised for their crucial work at the Oscars of Exploration, by the Scientific Exploration Society.  They were both humbled and grateful to have been recognised as peers alongside some of the greatest names in conservation and innovation as they received the 'Pioneers with Purpose' award.

Scientific Exploration Society Awards, 12 October 2022

2022 UK TOUR

Alice and the Team at Empowering Success worked incredibly hard to ensure that at least some of the Black Mambas could receive their well deserved 'Pioneers with Purpose' award from the Scientific Exploration Society, in person, in London.  YPO and United for Wildlife member, Qatar Airways, were both significant sponsors for this trip, and their support was much appreciated.

A huge heartfelt THANK YOU to all those that have shown the Black Mambas support, before, during and after their visit to the UK.  Knowing that their work is valued and appreciated makes a huge difference; the morale component is fundamental in any battle - and your support helps foster this.

Events such as those below are a powerful platform in the vital need to share, learn, innovate and collaborate together.  

Here's just a snippet of their busy UK trip:

United for Wildlife Global Summit

3rd / 4th October 2022

The collective mission to end the illegal wildlife trade succeeds when we combine the resources of the private sector with the insight of frontline NGOs like the Black Mambas, along with the power of law enforcement agencies. 

Meet the Mambas Talk at the South African High Commission

 6th October 2022

A once in a lifetime opportunity for those in attendance; the exclusive announcement of a new specialist unit; The Black Mambas Crime Prevention Unit (CPU).

YPO Black Mamba Talk

6th October 2022

Speaking to the YPO London Chapter was a real honour.  They played a huge part in enabling the visit of the Black Mambas to London and we will be forever grateful for their continued support and commitment to our cause.

Gordonstoun Sixth Form

8th October 2022

Travel up North saw the Black Mambas speak to a group of highly enthusiastic Sixth Formers.  'Plus est en vous' - What does that mean in real life? Reflections from the front line.  Educating our youth to enable a future for our mission.

How did the Mambas respond to the Covid-19 pandemic?

The Black Mambas APU were deemed as essential workers throughout the Covid-19 lockdown in South Africa; providing a lifeline to their communities, and those living on the Reserve.

At the start of the lockdown in 2020 the Black Mambas, started an initiative to deliver food parcels to local families around the Olifant's West Reserve who were in desperate need of support. The Black Mambas not only remained the sole force providing anti-poaching patrols and snare sweeps across the Reserve, but also supported 95 families right up to Spring 2022 - all enabled from generous donations from individuals like yourself.  The Black Mambas come from the same communities and so were uniquely positioned to ensure the food parcels were delivered directly to families in need.  This proved to be a critical activity in helping minimise and prevent the need for bush meat poaching in and around the Reserve - this prevention, rather than cure, is a running theme with how the Black Mambas approach their anti-poaching work and is continuing to have a huge impact on keeping the poaching numbers at bay.

Despite the virus, the Black Mambas carried on working in Greater Kruger to prevent poaching of the iconic animals in South Africa. Whether in lockdown, or during periods where movement restrictions were lifted, the Mambas continue to work 24/7, 365 days a year.  

The social, economic, as well as health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, along with the global lockdown, have deprived many local people of their minimum income; making them unable to provide for their families.  This social and economic pressure continues to heighten, and it is anticipated that the pressure on the Black Mambas to continue to deter and prevent the poachers from killing the wildlife within Greater Kruger will continue to intensify.

Black Mambas Speaking Events 

Alice will be providing talks about the Black Mambas work for several national and international Organisations in 2024. So watch this space….. and if you would like Alice to come and speak to your organisation about the amazing work the Black Mambas do, and the lessons that we can all learn from their amazing work…. Please click the link below and book a call with Alice to discuss how we can support you, and how you can support the Black Mambas.  

Together we are stronger.

Book your Event

Alice's Black Mamba talk at the Royal Geographical Society:

In March 2019 Alice spoke at the Royal Geographical Society in London, presenting to a full auditorium on the works and day to day running of the Black Mambas.

Having made several trips out to work with them already on a pro bono basis, Alice’s first hand experience of the world’s first all female anti-poaching unit, and as the UK Ambassador for the charity, is educational, informative and an excellent application of her Resilience Leadership Training in action.

 

Fintech Industry supporting global anti- poaching initiative:

In 2019 there was a shift in global views as poaching and trafficking of wildlife became more widely considered as a crime, run by international organised crime syndicates, not just at local level.

The Royal Foundation and United For Wildlife set up the Financial task-force and has been working with partners within the Finance industry, to help develop mechanisms and processes to support the judicial process in finding and convicting those involved in International Wildlife Trafficking (IWT). This included the signing up of 40+ international banks to support this initiative and data processing companies coming onboard.

 

Where are we in 2024? 

The Black Mambas, and all anti-poaching units need our support now as much as ever.  So please support them with a donation, or by asking Alice to come and speak about their work so that the message can continue to be spread about the need for vigilance and action to keep the wild populations of South Africa, and Africa as a whole - alive and sustainable.

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None of this has gone away!!

The Black Mambas received a wonderful donation just as Covid-19 lockdown was taking hold, which enabled them to move into their own operational base, and take on the next level of Black Mamba training and development.

This helped keep the Black Mambas operational effectiveness up during the Covid-19 lockdown period; their patrols were still finding snares, and keeping the poachers at bay.  As the international movement restrictions were lifted, the surge of Rhino poaching in 2022 across Southern and Eastern Africa became totally unsustainable - and this is anticipated to only get worse.  The financial and social pressures on the population continue to be exacerbated by the lack of tourist trade, and international criminals looking for opportunities to divest their portfolios and exploit the Reserves that have not kept up their anti-poaching capabilities. This is the time we need to reinforce the success of the Black Mambas and keep the poachers at bay...

International Wildlife crime is considered in the same league as Narcotics, Money Laundering & Human Trafficking.

The support and severity of this issue was reiterated when the Presidency of the FAFT (Financial Action Task Force) was taken on by China in 2019, and fighting international wildlife crime became one of the new Presidents priorities.  Environmental crime is one of the top three rated organised crime areas globally; it is a multi-billion dollar industry.  The importance in tackling this, was reiterated at the United for Wildlife Summit in London, October 2022, where the current Chairman of the FAFT (Singapore) reaffirmed his determination to counter international wildlife crime.  This had already been raised as one of the areas of focus for the President of FAFT in 2019 (Chinese Presidency), so it is good to see that the international community is still focused on reducing this area of international organised crime.  If anything, post the Covid-19 pandemic, we should all be even MORE vigilant and careful of the movement of zoological products and diseases.  Keeping the wildlife in its country of origin has moved from being not only an organised crime issue, to also being an international health consideration.  Let's hope this helps keep the pressure on countering wildlife crime at every level.

The Mambas offer a key link between those on the ground, working daily to protect the wildlife, and those in the financial sector, who can track and charge those paying for the wildlife products.  If you are interested in anti-money laundering or financial forensics - this is an area we can all support!

International Wildlife crime is considered in the same league as Narcotics, Money Laundering, Human Trafficking.

The support and severity of this issue was reiterated when the Presidency of the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) was taken on by China in 2019, and one of the new Presidents priorities is fighting international wildlife crime. The Mambas offer a key link between those on the ground, working daily to protect the wildlife, and those in the financial sector, who can track and charge those paying for the wildlife products. If you are interested in anti-money laundering or financial forensics - this is an area we can all support!

Support the Black Mambas

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Please donate to help ensure that the Black Mambas can continue to support South African wildlife from the threat of poachers.

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BOOK AN EVENT

If you would like Alice to come and speak to your team about how you can support the Black Mambas, book a call today.

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