Akashinga

Akashinga is an all-female anti-poaching group in Zimbabwe. The group is the subject of a 2020 documentary titled Akashinga: The Brave Ones.

Akashinga
Formation2017 (2017)
FounderDamien Mander
PurposeAnti-poaching
Region served
Zimbabwe
Parent organization
International Anti-Poaching Foundation

History

Akashinga was founded in 2017.[1] The women of Akashinga were recruited by Australian conservationist Damien Mander, founder of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. The original 16 Akashinga were recruited to be conservation officers for Phundundu Wildlife Park.[2] The word Akashinga means "brave ones" in Shona.[3] Akashinga is an arm of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation.[4]

Operations

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]

Rangers

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]

Notable former rangers

Akashinga: The Brave Ones

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]

References
  1. Edraki, Farz (2018-10-27). "Meet 'the brave ones': The armed, Australian-trained female fighters taking on poachers". www.abc.net.au. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  2. Ratcliffe, Amy (2020-08-20). "Meet the All-Female Team Stopping Elephant Poachers". Nerdist. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  3. Nuwer, Rachel (2018-09-27). "Meet the 'Brave Ones': The women saving Africa's wildlife". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  4. Minutaglio, Rose (2020-08-12). "This All-Female Army Protects Elephants From Poachers In Zimbabwe". ELLE. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  5. McMahon, Jeff (2020-12-09). "Wildlife Poaching On The Rise During The Pandemic That Wildlife Poaching Likely Caused". Forbes. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  6. Froelich, Paula (2020-08-15). "An inside look at Zimbabwe's all-female, anti-poaching army". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  7. Steirn, Adrian (2017-12-17). "All female anti-poaching combat unit - in pictures". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  8. Ramos, Dino-Ray (2020-04-15). "'Akashinga: The Brave Ones' Trailer: James Cameron's Docu Sheds Light On All-Female Anti-Poaching Unit In Zimbabwe". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
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