In Zimbabwe, the scientific monitoring expanded, with wildlife surveys across the areas protected by the Akashinga rangers, including a bird survey and the continuation of a manuscript on elephants.
In South Africa, the proactive methods of our K9 team have evolved to include an advanced drone in their daily operational work. This addition has given our team new abilities to locate animals in need of care or protection, as well as to detect and act on threats. We saw the positive results of this new piece of equipment when the drone’s heat camera detected seven poachers in the dark right outside the reserve. The team acted immediately and deterred the poachers before they entered the reserve.
The continuous training for the Akashinga rangers includes fitness, patrol tactics, first aid, survival skills, and leadership development. A milestone of the quarter has been the further education of rangers in Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) training.
In Moçambique, our partner organisation Akashinga launched the Eco-Solve Seascape Project, where eight female ”Seascape Guardians” protect eight strategic coastal regions. The focus lies on the preservation of marine habitats, including comprehensive beach cleanups to ensure safer environments for sea turtles. The mapping of the animals in the area has given record results, with 1002 observations of 26 species around Chiloane (an area we protect together with Akashinga) during June only.
During Q2, the Akashinga female rangers conducted 1,303 patrols, an effort that resulted in 36 arrests linked to wildlife crimes. The rangers confiscated illegal items, including dried game meat, axes, wire snares, and illegally harvested firewood.
Thank you for your support!
Team Wildhood