Gender Equality Zimbabwe Project #51017

Help Support Female Ranger Teams in Africa

by How Many Elephants

Project Report | Jan 17, 2024
Guardian of the Forest: The Journey of Grace

By Holly Budge | Founder of How Many Elephants NGO

Grace Kotee Zansi from Liberia is a biologist, elephant tracker and ranger actively involved with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary rescuing victims of the illegal bushmeat and pet trade in Liberia. Grace was recently awarded our World Female Ranger Award.

Grace grew up in a remote village and, from a young age, was deeply troubled by the sight of people hunting and consuming wildlife. She made a solemn vow to safeguard Liberia’s precious forest resources. Today, the rapid development encroaching upon the East Nimba Nature Reserve is posing a grave threat to its fragile ecosystem.

With more than 7000 chimpanzees living in its dense forests, Liberia is home to the second largest population of West African chimpanzees. But like many places, Liberia falls victim to the challenges of climate change and human/wildlife conflict. In Grace’s words: “If the forest could speak, the first thing she would say is, I’m under threat.” Driven by her childhood pledge, Grace has overcome stereotypical gender norms through her work as a ranger, joining forces with her team to protect Liberia’s chimpanzees from poachers, as well as visiting and educating local communities who have had past conflicts with chimpanzees.

“I dedicate my World Female Ranger Award to all female rangers in Africa. This is a win for us all. I'm greatly honoured to represent female rangers in Liberia and across the globe who work in extreme conditions to conserve nature. Receiving this award is very exciting for me,” says Grace.

Founder of How Many Elephants, Holly Budge, launched the World Female Ranger Award in 2021 in conjunction with her pioneering initiative, World Female Ranger Week (June 23-30th). Holly and her team have identified over 5500 female rangers around the world. Holly says, “This year, we have multiple award categories and are delighted to give recognition to female rangers, plus providing grants sponsored by How Many Elephants. I have seen the tangible impact female rangers are making around the world, protecting wildlife, uplifting communities and empowering women. I salute all our award winners. Thank you for the vital work you are doing to protect wildlife.

Through your kind donations, $3000 was gifted to Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection.

Your donations have played a crucial role in the growth and success of female rangers in Africa, enabling them to make a significant impact on the conservation of wildlife and habitats. The grant has been instrumental in promoting sustainability, gender empowerment, and community-driven conservation efforts in the region. Thank you.

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Sep 17, 2023
Expansion of Akashinga Rangers

By Holly Budge | Founder of How Many Elephants NGO

Credit: Brent Stirton

PROJECT: Supporting the growth and effectiveness of the Akashinga Female Rangers in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique and Tanzania.

Through your kind donations, £2000 was gifted to Akasinga’s Female Ranger Unit. Your support has helped cover the expansion of Akashinga, focusing on the following:

Recruitment and training - This grant enabled the International Anti-Poaching Foundation to recruit and train additional female rangers for the Akashinga Programme. This has allowed the programme to expand its reach and increase its capacity to protect wildlife and combat poaching in the Zambezi Valley. The funding has covered the costs associated with the recruitment process, screening, and selection of candidates, as well as their training in anti-poaching techniques, wildlife conservation, and community engagement. By providing paid employment and training to local women, Akashinga not only contributes to their financial stability but also enables them to achieve personal milestones such as buying property, building houses, and supporting their families. The ability to access education, acquire driver's licenses, and pursue higher education opportunities further empowers these women and opens up new possibilities for their future.

Equipment and infrastructure - This grant has supported the procurement of essential equipment and infrastructure for the Akashinga Rangers. This includes items such as uniforms, boots, backpacks, camping gear, communications equipment, and field surveillance tools.

Community development and female empowerment - The Akashinga Programme places a strong emphasis on community engagement, female empowerment, and sustainable development. The grant has supported initiatives aimed at building positive relationships with local communities and providing them with alternative livelihood options.

Your donations have played a crucial role in the growth and success of the Akashinga Programme, enabling it to make a significant impact in the conservation of wildlife and habitats in the Zambezi Valley. The programme‘s expansion and improved capabilities have contributed to a decline in poaching activities, the protection of endangered species, and the empowerment of women and local communities. The grant has been instrumental in promoting sustainability, gender empowerment, and community-driven conservation efforts in the region. Thank you.

Programme Summary to Date:

It is exciting to see the growth, positive impact, and achievements of the Akashinga programme over the years. The initial pilot deployment of Akashinga in Zimbabwe's Zambezi Valley demonstrated remarkable success, with a significant reduction in elephant poaching and a notable increase in wildlife populations. This success led to the expansion of Akashinga, with a wilderness protection portfolio totalling 9.1 million acres across Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The goal is to protect 30 million acres of critical wilderness areas by the end of the decade.

Furthermore, the programme aims to employ over 500 women as Akashinga Rangers, with a total workforce of 3,000+ across the portfolio, and increased education rates, economic development, gender equity, and health and wellbeing in the communities with which we partner.

The Akashinga programme represents a genuinely effective approach that combines conservation efforts with the empowerment of women. It introduces a unique model where women are placed at the forefront of conservation in a meaningful and comprehensive way, allowing them to take full responsibility for the program's success. This is a significant departure from previous instances across the African continent, where women were often limited to specific roles in a frontline capacity without being given the opportunity to shoulder the entire responsibility themselves.

By placing women at the centre of our conservation strategy, Akashinga is not only making strides in protecting wildlife and natural resources but also creating a platform for the empowerment and development of women and communities. This innovative solution recognizes the potential and value that women bring to the field of conservation, and it aims to harness their skills, perspectives, and leadership to drive positive change. By doing so, Akashinga is not only challenging traditional gender roles but also promoting gender equality and opening up new avenues for women to play a significant role in conservation efforts across the African continent.

Akashinga serves as an inspiring model that showcases the importance of gender equality, community engagement, and environmental stewardship in achieving broader societal and environmental goals.

Thank you for your continued commitment to empowering communities and shifting the paradigm in conservation efforts across the continent. It is truly remarkable to see how the programme has transformed the lives of the women involved and the communities they belong to.

Credit: Akashinga

Holly Budge on patrol with the Akashinga Rangers

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May 31, 2023
Food Rations For Female Rangers in Kenya

By Holly Budge | Founder of How Many Elephants NGO

In Maasai culture, conservation and anti-poaching work has been dominated by men, while women are raised to become wives and mothers. But now, Big Life’s 11 female rangers are becoming part of the solution to protect wildlife, while also blazing a path for future female leaders. Whether it means walking 18 miles a day on patrol, preventing human-wildlife conflict in the middle of the night, or tracking and arresting criminals in the bush, the job is the same for each ranger, regardless of gender. All 11 of these women are mothers and know that their children’s future depends on a safe and thriving ecosystem to call home. These women, alongside the many others working as rangers across Africa, are showing their own communities (and the world) that protecting wildlife is everyone’s business.

Through your kind donations, £1250 was gifted to Big Life’s Female Ranger Unit. You have helped keep the female rangers in the field and patrolling by contributing to their food rations. Thank you!

During the first quarter of 2023, the female ranger team patrolled a total of 914 km on foot, covering a vast area and ensuring that wildlife in the region remained protected. They also successfully participated in the search and treatment of an injured elephant that had been speared, and participated in the search and subsequent translocation of a female elephant and her two calves that had killed a herder.

We are also proud to report that the female ranger team carried out two successful human rescue missions, where they were able to rescue mentally ill persons who had gotten lost in the bush. These rescue missions not only protected the individuals in question but also served as another example of how Big Life’s rangers work for both the good of wildlife and for the good of the community.

It is also important to note that two of our female rangers are certified instructors and are participating in a training program at Big Life’s Amboseli Conservation Academy. Additionally, one of our female constables attended a three-week "Ranger Life Saver" training, facilitated by the Lead Ranger program, and qualified as a coach.

We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for your generous funding for food rations which kept the female ranger team fueled for their work. With your help, the female rangers have been able to carry out critical conservation work effectively.

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