SPECIAL CALL FOR MONTHLY DONORS IN LIGHT OF DOUBLE TRAGEDY

 

 

Tragedy strikes the anti-poaching community this summer on two fronts.

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First - In late July, the head anti-poaching ranger at Timbavati Private Game Reserve was brutally shot and killed at his home, an apparent hit by the poaching cartels. To see the news article click below:    https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/wildlife-warrior-and-game-ranger-anton-mzimba-shot-dead-20220727 

Details are still sketchy, but Anton Mzimba was gunned down after receiving several threats to his life if he persisted in his anti-poaching work. Having dedicated 25 years of his young life (he was only 47) to the protection and preservation of Africa's precious wildlife, he persisted and, ultimately, paid the supreme sacrifice.  Operation Pachamama is currently paying for the deployment of four anti-poaching rangers at Timbavati. Anton was their boss, so this vile act hits us close to home. But like Anton, Operation Pachamama will persist. We will not fail or falter; we will not be deterred; we will not stop. Our work must continue, in honor of Anton, and for the sake of the animals he died protecting.

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Second - Legendary leopard at the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, Hosana, was shot and killed by surprised anti-poaching rangers in fear of their lives. No one blames them, but the owners of Sabi Sand have concluded the rangers’ training was inadequate to meet the situation. If those rangers had also been trained in traditional tracking and bushcraft skills, they would have known of Hosana's presence long before they were "surprised" and been able to defuse the situation without bloodshed.

 

As a result of this killing, Sabi Sand has entered into an agreement with The Tracker Academy to begin a year-long training program for anti-poaching rangers combining ALL requisite skills with the promise to employ the graduates once their course of study is complete. The program is called Rhino Guardians, in honor of the over 28,000 rhinos killed in greater Kruger National Park in the past ten years (out of 30,000). Sabi Sand is part of greater Kruger and has suffered its share of losses. As you know from details on our website, The Tracker Academy is our partner in South Africa and we have been approached by the Academy for assistance. 

 

Sabi Sand is providing the land and facilities for the new training course. Yet, the funds needed to cover the expenses associated with the year-long program (faculty, food and board for the students, equipment, uniforms) must be raised privately. The cost per student per year is roughly $8,000-$9,000, and the Academy hopes to run two courses of eight students each per year.

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Think of the hope this project entails. As many as 16 new anti-poaching rangers in the field every year! Hosana's death will not have been in vain, for from it a renewed commitment to anti-poaching excellence has arisen. Operation Pachamama is proud to be one of Rhino Guardian's initial sponsors.

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Whether you want to donate in honor of the fallen Anton to assist Operation Pachamama's continuing work in the anti-poaching field generally, or whether you want to donate in honor of Hosana by earmarking your dollars for Rhino Guardians, Operation Pachamama is making a special appeal for monthly donors to help us sustain the critical assistance we have been asked to provide by The Tracker Academy. 

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We have spent much of the past couple of weeks in shock after learning of Anton's murder, but we clawed our way through the depression and sense of futility with a renewed commitment. Hope endures and must be sustained and nurtured into reality. Now is not the time to lose hope, now is not the time to surrender. Now is the time to fight, and fight hard.

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The easiest way to arrange monthly donations is on opmama.org, a one-time donation on Operation Pachamama's Facebook page or send a check to PO Box 783, Carefree, AZ  85377.

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One final word on Operation Pachamama's finances. We began and continue as a nonprofit reliant upon many small and mid-size donations. We are proud of this solid foundation of support, yet today we acknowledge that these two deaths have caused us to raise our sights. If the war is to be won, we need lovers of wildlife to make a long-term commitment. A monthly donation, in as generous an amount as you can envision, is the best way to demonstrate that support.

 

      Operation Pachamama and the animals it serves will be eternally grateful.

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