Anti Poaching in Zim
LESSONS FROM BAGHDAD:
The International Anti-Poaching Foundation on the frontline in Zimbabwe
Davina Jogi
The illegal trafficking of wildlife currently accounts for a global trade of an estimated $20 billion per year. In South Africa, where organized criminal syndicates have begun to drive the trade, rhino poaching has exploded – nearly 200 have been reported killed in the first six months of 2011, representing more than one a day. As the SANDF steps in to protect Kruger’s rhinos, the epicenter of South Africa’s poaching outbreak, and the government considers legalising the sale of horn in an attempt to control the illicit trade, something a little different is going on in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Enter Damien Mander and the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF). Thirty-one, six-foot-something, tattooed, ex-Royal Australian Navy clearance diver/Special Forces commando/private security contractor, Mander seems to have been written for a late night M-net Action special. He’s big, bolshie, crass and delightfully full of it, but Mander has managed to avoid what would certainly be a successful future in bad television, instead, turning his military experience in the Middle East towards a more useful pursuit – conservation.
After Mander completed a security contract to train the Iraqi police in 2008, he took a year off travelling, eventually heading to South Africa to try get a foot in the door with an anti-poaching unit. Mander confesses it was a personal mission; he was off to save Africa’s wildlife. But he travelled to conservancies and reserves across southern...
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Elliot Tshulu, head ranger at the IAPF's Nakavango Training Academy watches out for attack during an ambush exercise. Elliot served in the Royal African Rifles during Zimbabwe's war of Independence. He left a career in the Zimbabwe National Army to become a game ranger, and has been stationed on the reserve for 17 years
IAPF Founding Director Damien Mander lectures recruits on concealment at the Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. As a security contractor in the Middle East, Mander trained the Iraqi police. In 2009 he set up the International Anti Poaching Foundation, an Australian charity, to contribute his military experience to the fight against poaching. “Whilst the scenario is a little bit different here than it is in Baghdad, a lot of the principles are the same. It’s the frontline,” he says.
IAPF Founding Director Damien Mander leads recruits in pushups after they were late for class at the Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Mander pushes his recruits hard, "if you're lazy in training you're gonna get killed. I don't wanna see people with a smile on their face like they're going for tea with the Queen."
One of the breeding black rhinos on the property, Buster, shows off her week-old baby. Since the IAPF has been on the reserve, patrolling and monitoring the rhinos, Nakavango Estate's rhino population has doubled from three to six. All the rhinos were dehorned last year in an attempt to prevent poaching
Ranger recruits and visiting donors run through Nakavango Estate during morning physical training exercises. The IAPF trained 16 rangers from conservancies across the country during their last course at the Nakavango Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Ranger recruits and visiting donors run through Nakavango Estate during morning physical training exercises. The estate, previously known as the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, is home to Rani Resorts' Stanley & Livingstone Hotel as well as six black rhino
Donors on the IAPF Ranger Training Assistance Programme (RTAP) assist in building a campsite at the Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Tanyala Ncube (front), a local builder, later took part in an IAPF recruitment drive and was selected for further training as a ranger
IAPF Donor and Ranger Co-ordinator James Logan Slade (front right) leads morning physical training at the IAPF's Nakavango Ranger Training Academy just outside Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
IAPF Operations Manager, Steven Dean leads morning physical training at the Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls. An ex-Royal Australian Clearance Diver and Special Forces commando, Dean spent the last four years as a private security contractor in the Middle East. He quit contracting to work for the IAPF, which was started by his best mate Damien Mander
Benzine Sibanda, an IAPF instructor, yells out drill orders. The IAPF's mission statement is "To protect and preserve wildlife through the provision of specialist training and equipment to anti-poaching units and communities in volatile regions." In Zimbabwe, they are focusing on updating anti poaching techniques that have been in use since the 1960s
Recruits salute during evening drill. The IAPF's manifesto is to train rangers from both private conservancies and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. In a bid to contribute to the livelihoods of locals, the IAPF also recruits from Victoria Falls' large pool of unemployed. All 16 rangers who completed this course are now employed
Recruits maintain tight formation during evening drill. The IAPF's manifesto is to train rangers from both private conservancies and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. In a bid to contribute to the livelihoods of locals, the IAPF also recruits from Victoria Falls' large pool of unemployed. All 16 rangers who completed this course are now working employed
Recruits listen to a lecture on concealment at the IAPF's Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Since 2009 the IAPF has trained a total of 108 rangers who are now working in conservancies across the country.
IAPF Operations Manager and trainer, Steven Dean, demonstrates correct use of force when arresting a poacher. The IAPF detained five armed poachers who targeted Nakavango Estate last year. The attempted poachers, who are currently on trial, are expected to receive maximum sentences due to indisputable evidence collected by the rangers who made the arrest
An IAPF ranger recruit conducts a search on two 'poachers' during a role play exercise to practice correct arrest procedure. The IAPF detained five armed poachers who targeted Nakavango Estate last year. The attempted poachers, who are currently on trial, are expected to receive maximum sentences due to indisputable evidence collected by the rangers who made the arrest
IAPF Operations Manager and trainer, Steven Dean, teaches an outdoor class on the use of GPS navigation, during a 5-week ranger training course at the IAPF's Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The IAPF is an Australian registered charity that uses donations to recruit, train, equip and deploy rangers across the country in an attempt to bolster Zimbabwe's anti poaching efforts
Ranger recruits learn how to use a GPS during a 5-week ranger training course at the IAPF's Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The IAPF is an Australian registered charity that uses donations to recruit, train, equip and deploy rangers across the country in an attempt to bolster Zimbabwe's anti poaching efforts
IAPF ranger recruits practice ambush procedure. The IAPF detained five armed poachers who targeted Nakavango Estate last year. The attempted poachers, who are currently on trial, are expected to receive maximum sentences due to indisputable evidence collected by the rangers who made the arrest
Elliot Tshulu (back) and Benzine Sibanda practice correct radio procedure during an ambush exercise. The IAPF's mission statement is "To protect and preserve wildlife through the provision of specialist training and equipment to anti-poaching units and communities in volatile regions." In Zimbabwe, they are focusing on updating anti poaching techniques that have been in use since the 1960s
IAPF head ranger Elliot Tshulu gives advice to a new recruit during drill practice at the Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Tshulu left the Zimbabwe National Army to become a game ranger and has been stationed at Nakavango Estate for 17 years
John Matengu practices drilling with the rest of his class. Matengu worked for National Parks for 37 years before reaching retirement age, but with a large family to support he could not afford to lose the job. He was selected for training with the IAPF and is now employed as one of their permanent rangers.
John Matengu, stands to attention with other ranger recruits. Matengu worked for National Parks for 37 years before reaching retirement age, but with a large family to support he could not afford to lose the job. He was selected for training with the IAPF and is now employed as one of their permanent rangers.
Senzani Tshabangu (centre) and other IAPF rangers run through the bush during a patrol. The IAPF currently employs 20 full time rangers who monitor and protect the 5000 hectare Nakavango Estate just outside Victoria Falls. Tshabangu was previously employed as a security guard at a local backpackers before being selected for training
IAPF rangers Chelepele Phiri (left) and Elliot Tshulu refer to a photocopied tree guide while identifying a False Marula tree on patrol at Nakavango Estate, outside Victoria Falls. Rangers are required to have an extensive knowledge of the bush, be able to perform operations and patrols and maintain a high level of physical fitness
IAPF rangers Chelepele Phiri (left), Steven Dean and Elliot Tshulu patrol alongside a dam at Nakavango Estate, outside Victoria Falls. Rangers are required to have an extensive knowledge of the bush, be able to perform operations and patrols and maintain a high level of physical fitness
A four-month-old black rhino stands outside the 'rhino boma' at Nakavango Estate. Last year Zimbabwe had a -0.6 percent growth rate for its black rhino population, which numbers around 800. In contrast, Nakavango Estate's black rhino population has experienced a hundred percent increase since the IAPF started operations - this is the third rhino to be born in two years
A ranger looks on with trepidation as his classmate prepares to cannulate him with an IV during a 5-day medical training course at the Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Training and a medical kit were supplied free of charge to participants from nearby conservancies
Steven Dean, IAPF Operations Manager and trainer, instructs rangers on how to insert in IV during a 5-day medical training course at the Nakavango Ranger Training Academy in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Training and a medical kit were supplied free of charge to participants from nearby conservancies
IAPF Founding Director Damien Mander demonstrates weapon handling to his rangers. An ex-Royal Australian Clearance Diver and Special Forces commando, Mander's resume includes training the Iraqi police as a security contractor in the Middle East. In 2009 he set up the International Anti Poaching Foundation, an Australian charity, to contribute his military expertise to the fight against poaching. “Whilst the scenario is a little bit different here than it is in Baghdad, a lot of the principles are the same. It’s the frontline,” he says.
IAPF ranger Bezine Sibanda checks his aim during patrol. The IAPF currently employs 20 full time rangers who monitor and protect the 5000 hectare Nakavango Estate just outside Victoria Falls. Sibanda worked as a ranger at Wild Horizons and with the Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit before joining the IAPF
Bronwyn Kelly, an Australian teacher and the IAPF's educational advisor, assists ranger recruits with a lesson. The IAPF's long-term goals include funding outreach programmes in the surrounding villages, and conservation education in Victoria Falls’ schools.
IAPF ranger Benzine Sibanda brings up the rear during a patrol of the fenceline at Nakavango Estate. The reserve features six black rhino, which means that alongside training, the IAPF also runs operations in the field to monitor, protect and prevent poaching
Hopeful applicants run towards the gate of Nakavango Estate on the morning of an IAPF recruitment for six new rangers. Around 200 people turned up for the day-long trial which included physical and mental aptitude tests. The IAPF model presents a self-sustainable organisation, using funding from tourism on the property itself to provide training and employment for members of the local community
Job applicants line up on the railway track outside the gate of Nakavango Estate on the morning of an IAPF recruitment for 6 new rangers. Around 200 people turned up for the day-long trial which included physical and mental aptitude tests. The IAPF model presents a self-sustainable organisation, using funding from tourism on the property itself to provide training and employment for members of the local community
IAPF Operations Manager, Steven Dean, watches as an applicant does chin-ups during a recruitment exercise for 6 new rangers. Around 200 people turned up for the day-long trial which included physical and mental aptitude tests. The IAPF model presents a self-sustainable organisation, using funding from tourism on the property itself to provide training and employment for members of the local community
Hopeful applicants listen to instruction from IAPF rangers during a recruitment for six new rangers. Around 200 people turned up for the day-long trial which included physical and mental aptitude tests. The IAPF model presents a self-sustainable organisation, using funding from tourism on the property itself to provide training and employment for members of the local community
IAPF Director Damien Mander (head visible at right) instructs potential recruits to get ready for pushups as visiting donor, Drew Parker, looks on. The IAPF was conducting a day-long try out for six new rangers.
Job applicants participate in a strenuous physical aptitude test requiring them to carry a gumpole and tractor tyre for 5 kms, during an IAPF recruitment for 6 new rangers. Recruitment and training are difficult, as Mander continually reminds his rangers, "It's not like any other job, if you make mistakes out there...if you're lazy in training you're gonna get killed"
Job applicants participate in a strenuous physical aptitude test requiring them to carry a gumpole and tractor tyre for 5 kms, during an IAPF recruitment for 6 new rangers. Recruitment and training are difficult, as Mander continually reminds his rangers, "It's not like any other job, if you make mistakes out there...if you're lazy in training you're gonna get killed"
Ranger recruits march through Nakavango Estate during a 10-week training course, funded and run by the IAPF. The IAPF's manifesto is to train rangers from both private conservancies and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. In a bid to contribute to the livelihoods of locals, the IAPF also recruits from Victoria Falls' large pool of unemployed. All 16 rangers who completed this course are now employed
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