Formation | 2017 |
---|---|
Founder | Damien Mander |
Purpose | Anti-poaching |
Region served | Zimbabwe |
Parent organization | International Anti-Poaching Foundation |
The Akashinga Rangers is an all-female anti-poaching group in Zimbabwe. The group is the subject of a 2020 documentary titled Akashinga: The Brave Ones.
Akashinga was founded in 2017. [1] The women of Akashinga were recruited by Australian conservationist Damien Mander, founder of Akashinga (formerly the International Anti-Poaching Foundation). The original 16 Akashinga were recruited to be conservation officers for Phundundu Wildlife Park. [2] The word Akashinga means "the brave ones" in Shona. [3] The Akashinga Rangers are an arm of Akashinga (formerly the International Anti-Poaching Foundation). [4]
In contrast to other all-female anti-poaching groups such as the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit in South Africa, the rangers of Akashinga are armed. [3] Since 2017, the group has arrested hundreds of poachers. [4]
Many of the Akashinga Rangers are vegan. [5] [3] Many of the Akashinga are survivors of domestic abuse and/or sexual assault. [6]
In March 2017, two rangers and a male trainer drowned while crossing a river. [3]
The short documentary Akashinga: The Brave Ones was directed by Maria Wilhelm. It was produced by Kim Butts, Drew Pulley, and Wilhelm and was executive produced by James Cameron. Akashinga: The Brave Ones premiered in 2020 at the EarthXFilm Festival. It was an official selection of the Tribeca Film Festival and was later broadcast on National Geographic. [8] Akashinga is also available to stream on YouTube. [4]
Poaching is the illegal hunting or capturing of wild animals, usually associated with land use rights. Poaching was once performed by impoverished peasants for subsistence purposes and to supplement meager diets. It was set against the hunting privileges of nobility and territorial rulers.
Kruger National Park is a South African National Park and one of the largest game reserves in Africa. It covers an area of 19,623 km2 (7,576 sq mi) in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in northeastern South Africa, and extends 360 km (220 mi) from north to south and 65 km (40 mi) from east to west. The administrative headquarters are in Skukuza. Areas of the park were first protected by the government of the South African Republic in 1898, and it became South Africa's first national park in 1926.
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