[France24] Zimbabwe is one of the African countries worst affected by poaching. In an unprecedented move, an all-female unit has been created in the north of the country to track down poachers. The rangers are known as the Brave Ones. FRANCE 24's reporters went to meet these women who risk their lives to protect their country's wildlife.In the Zambezi Valley in northern Zimbabwe, the local biodiversity is endangered by poaching. The main victims of this illegal trade are elephants and rhinos, whose ivory and horns are sold for a small fortune on Asian markets.
But for the past year, a group of around 30 rangers have developed a new way to fight poaching. This unit is made up exclusively of women ‐ a considerable achievement, since being a ranger was previously a job only held by men. The Akashinga("the Brave Ones"), are led by Damien Mander, a former Australian army sniper who has become a champion of the animal cause. The women have followed the same military training as any other ranger.