In the fight to protect South Africa’s endangered wildlife, the Black Mambas have become an international symbol of resilience. As the world’s first all-women anti-poaching unit, they patrol unarmed, challenging not only poachers but deeply rooted gender norms. Their most lasting impact may not come from the frontlines; rather, it emerges from inside the classroom.
Ten years ago, the Black Mambas launched the Bush Babies Environmental Education Program to reach young people in communities bordering Kruger National Park. Through school visits and local outreach, they aim to shift mindsets, disrupt the poaching pipeline, and foster a culture of conservation where it’s needed most.
This reporting project explores the evolution of the Black Mambas as both protectors and educators. As the Bush Babies program marks its 10-year anniversary, the women behind it reflect on what it means to invest in the future—and why changing hearts and minds may be their most powerful legacy yet.
Image caption: Black Mamba ranger Naledi Malungane scans the bush in the Balule Nature Reserve of Kruger National Park on the lookout for snares set by poachers. Image by Olivia Lockett. South Africa, 2025.
