Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit

The Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit (Black Mamba APU) is the world's first officially-formed, registered and recognised all-female wildlife ranger unit, founded in 2013, with the purpose of protecting wildlife in the regions of the Olifants West Nature Reserve, and the buffer zone in the Greater Kruger of South Africa. The Black Mamba APU was awarded the Champions of the Earth Award, in 2015, by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). In the period between 2013 and 2022, the Black Mamba APU has won 10 International awards, for innovative approach to wildlife conservation.

About
The unit was created by Craig R. Spencer, the current warden of Olifants West Nature Reserve, and Amy Clark from Transfrontier Africa. The group started out with six members. The Unit is named after the deadly snake, the black mamba snake (Dendroaspis polylepis). There are currently forty two staff members in the Black Mamba APU team, with thirty five of them being women rangers. Each member spends 21 days a month patrolling the reserves. They start each day, military style, with a parade and then issued orders before patrols leave on their missions. Each of the rangers is trained in tracking and combat, but work unarmed: they protect the animals by creating a "visible police presence, like a British bobby."

The Mambas come from the local communities near the Greater Kruger area. For many Black Mambas, becoming a ranger has become big step in life, right after high school. The Unit had been part of the nationwide Environmental Monitor program, that received 30% subsidy from the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environmental Affairs, South Africa. Due to internal financial issues, the department stopped the subsidy in March 2022. From April 2022, Transfrontier Africa NPC relies solely on fundraising, grants, and donations to support the project. Currently, a newly formed Black Mamba Alliance, which consists of a group of companies, sponsor 100% of the salaries of The Black Mambas, and its sister project The Bush Babies Environmental Education Program.

The unit assisted with several arrests of poachers, shut down five poacher camps, and reduced snaring of wildlife in the areas of deployment by 62% within its first year of deployment. The Mambas are trained to find and remove snares before animals are trapped in them. During 2015, there was a period of ten months during which no rhinos were poached at all.

At first people were sceptical that "women could do this traditionally male job and be good at it." Now, within their communities, the Black Mambas have become village heroes. Photographer Julia Gunther, who has been documenting the Black Mambas APU, says of the women that "For all of them, the love for nature and its conservation runs deep. Their ethos is to protect this heritage of wildlife." The rangers not only face dangers from poachers, but also from large wildlife; Ranger Siphiwe Sithole said, "I don't know when I am going to face a lion." Another member, Leitah Mkhabela, said regarding poachers, "I am not afraid. I know what I am doing and why I am doing it."

In July 2015, the Black Mamba APU won the Best Conservation Practitioner category in the South African Rhino Conservation Awards. Later that year, they won the Champions of the Earth Award from UNEP.

Awards won
The unit has won the following awards:
 * 2022 - Pioneers with Purpose by Scientific Exploration Society, UK
 * 2022 - Highly Commended Ranger Team by IUCN
 * 2021 - Highly Commended Ranger (Sergeant Nkateko Mzimba) by IUCN
 * 2020 - Ranger of the Year (Supervisor Leitah Mkhabela) by the International Paradise Foundation, China
 * 2020 - Earth Care Award by the Sierra Club, USA
 * 2019 - Resilient Efforts Through Cultural Diversity and Environmental Sensitivity by Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council
 * 2019 - Change Maker in Tourism Craig R. Spencer by Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council
 * 2017 - Eco-Warrior Silver Award
 * 2015 - Champions of the Earth by the United Nations
 * 2015 - Best Conservation Practitioner of the Year by Rhino Conservation Award