Force Meets Force: The IAPF's Fight for Wildlife

Damien Mander of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF) provided us with an amazing talk on wildlife preservation in Africa, and his group’s role in this fight.

 

Damien served twelve tours of military service in Iraq in the Australian version of our Navy’s SEALS.  His role was to source recruits for, and train, the Iraqi military. 

 

After leaving the military, Mander spent time touring Africa.  That is where he found his calling.  Mander discovered that the Game Rangers who protect game reserves in Zimbabwe and South Africa are better trained than, and outgunned by, the poachers who prey on the elephants and rhinos living in the preserves.

 

Damien began recreating the work he did in Iraq – he recruited new Game Rangers and trained them to work as a military unit.  Less this sounds unnecessary, let’s review the state of poaching in Africa.

 

Worldwide, the money, organization, and brutality of poaching ranks with human trafficking, gun running, and drug smuggling.  Some poaching organizations are fundraising fronts for terrorist cells.  African poachers have automatic weapons, body armor, helicopters, and the protection of some corrupt government officials.  Why?  Because a rhino’s horn is worth twice as much as gold: $35,000 per pound – and a single horn can be 20 lbs.

 

Mozambique is coming out of a sixteen year civil war.  They have a population of men who have been trained to fight and hardened by war – and who lack education.  With a few jobs available, these men turn to poaching.  They are the brutal army of the poacher.

 

Along with other anti poaching organizations, IAPF has done fundraising and lobbying that has increased the pay, weaponry, and government support provided by Zimbabwe.  The situation has improved a little, but not far enough or fast enough to provide the rhinos and elephants the help they need.

IAPF changes the poacher’s calculus.  The IAPF’s slogan is, “Wildlife Conservation through Direct Action.”  The “direct action” means meeting high level militarized force with high level militarized force.  In Zimbabwe, there is a “shoot on site” law where poachers are concerned.  While this is not the end IAPF seeks, Game Rangers and their military advisors have been in many fatal fire fights.

 

Unfortunately, the monetary stakes are so high, many poachers are willing to risk their lives for an elephant tusk or a rhino horn.   More funding and support are needed.

 

Damien Mander visited us as a part of his six week fundraising tour of United States, raising awareness and funds for the fight against poachers and corruption.  For more information, visit www.IAPF.org.