Latest news with #BlackMambas
Forbes
23-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
One Woman's Mission To Empower Female Rangers And Fund Frontline Conservation
Holly Budge and the Black Mambas, an all-female wildlife ranger unit. "We need one million more rangers if we want to reach the 30x30 target," declared Carole d'Antuoni, president of Gardes Nature de France, at the latest World Ranger Congress. Today, 286,000 rangers patrol the planet's wild places, roughly one for every 28 square miles. To protect 30% of Earth's land and oceans by 2030, about 1.5 million rangers, one for every 10 square miles, are needed. Will the world's most ambitious environmental pledge could fall flat without them? In an exclusive interview, I talked to Holly Budge, one of the speakers at the World Ranger Congress, via Zoom to discuss the rise of the female ranger movement and the pivotal role women on the front lines play in achieving the 30x30 conservation target. Inside The All-Female Ranger Unit Defending Africa's Wildlife Holly Budge is the first woman to skydive Mount Everest, jumping from an aircraft at 29,500ft and landing at 12,500ft, the world's highest landing area. She also summited the North side of Everest and spent 47 days on the mountain above 16,400 feet. While she is immensely proud of these achievements, she shared that climbing Mount Everest felt like child's play compared to her first night patrol with the Black Mambas in Olifants West Game Reserve inside Greater Kruger in 2014. "We walked in the dark, looking for any signs that poachers were in the area. It felt scary since we were the only ones out there who could do anything about it if they are indeed there. It was daunting," said Budge. Craig Spencer, the founder of the Black Mambas with two female rangers in the middle of the night. "However, it was also inspiring since these female rangers were not waving around guns and egos but showed remarkable resilience and strength to protect the area they patrol," she continued. Craig Spencer founded the Black Mambas in 2013 to be the eyes in the bush. They are an unarmed, all-female anti-poaching unit monitoring day and night 50,000 acres of Olifants West Game Reserve. They remove snares and search for signs of poachers, such as track marks or roadblocks, relaying any findings to the operations center to request backup from an armed patrol unit. "We started Black Mambas with no gadgets like night googles or tracking technology," said Felicia Letange Mogakane, one of the founding members of the Black Mambas, who also joined the call. Felicia Letange Mogakane, one of the founding members of the Black Mambas, on a night patrol. Since its inception, they never took a break. Day and night, teams of 5-10 patrol the area of 50,000 acres. "We have to be there; otherwise, the poachers win. They are not relaxing even for a day, so we cannot as well," she said. 'Compared to the early days, thankfully today, we have the technology to act faster.' Mogakane proudly shared that since the Black Mambas began patrolling the area in 2013, they have successfully prevented rhino poaching within their patrol zone and significantly reduced bushmeat poaching. "We are confident now. We have proven ourselves despite the social stigma and have earned the community's respect because they see our impact," she added. Why Are Rhinos Under Siege? And How Can Conservation Keep Pace With Poaching? Two rhino species live in the African continent: the White Rhino and the Black Rhino. Poachers target rhinos for their horns since Traditional Asian Medicine attributes healing properties to them. The Northern White Rhino is functionally extinct since only two females, Najin and Fatu, remained after the last male died in 2018. Both are under 24/7 protection by armed rangers at Kenya's Ol Pejeta Conservancy. The Southern White Rhino is more common with around 10,000 mature individuals. However, the species is still marked as 'Nearly Threatened' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. According to the latest 2024 figures from the IUCN Red List, just over 3,100 mature Black Rhinos remain. While the population is slowly increasing, the species is still classified as 'Critically Endangered.' A mother and baby rhino approach a pond for drinking In 2024, 420 rhinos were poached in South Africa. 76% of them were killed within national or state parks, and more than half of the total (55%) happened in KwaZulu-Natal, according to data from South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, presented by Helping Rhinos. Despite decades of investment, more than $74 million across 11 southern African reserves, rhino poaching continues at alarming rates, driven by global horn demand, inequality, corruption and organized crime. While traditional anti-poaching methods such as ranger patrols and surveillance have led to hundreds of arrests, people working in rhino conservation are continuously researching for new ways to protect this species. Dehorning is one example that emerged in recent years. According to a study published in June 2025, dehorning cut poaching by roughly 78%. Another recent study revealed that gathering human DNA samples from rhino horns could potentially link suspects to crimes that could lead to arrests. Education Is A Powerful Weapon Against Wildlife Crime "Poachers are part of the community but must be caught red-handed to arrest them. Patrolling is one way to protect the animals who have no voice; the other way is education," Mogakane shared. A group of female rangers of the Black Mambas. She told me about their 'Bush Grannies' program since kids' education in South Africa starts with their grandparents. As part of the program, the Black Mamba rangers took grandmothers to Kruger National Park to teach them about wildlife and conservation. "They have lived their whole lives among the Big Five, but many had never actually seen one," she said. 'We wanted them to see the animals up close and to understand why protecting them matters.' "Now, I feel proud to see how many of them changed their minds. They became a great help in alerting us if someone in the community tries to sell bushmeat illegally," she continued. Mogakane also told me about the 'Bush Babies' program, where rangers visit schools to teach kids about nature and why it is wrong to kill rhinos for their horns. "The poachers are the fathers of these kids. We hope that educating the young generations will help them question this way of life," she added. Rangers visit the children at a local school to teach them about nature and wildlife as part of the ... More Bush Babies Program. A $2 Million Call To Action To Fund The Frontlines Budge has been working with over 5,500 rangers across the globe since she established How Many Elephants, a charity to help amplify the voice of female rangers. She noted that only 11% of the world's rangers are women. A figure she believes is far too low. In her experience, the ripple effect of hiring even one female ranger can be far-reaching. Not just because, in South Africa, one woman often supports up to 16 family members or because 90% of a woman's income typically goes back into the community, but because of what female rangers represent: 'a beacon of hope.' A female ranger of the Black Mambas, an all-female anti-poaching unit. "Women are caretakers and role models of their communities. If we can put more female rangers in other reserves, the impact of that would be phenomenal both for the individual and the whole local community," Budge said, echoing broader trends across Africa, where women are breaking barriers to lead in conservation and community development. Budge hopes to rally global support to raise critical funds for women on the frontlines of conservation. She set the goal to raise $2 million during the 5th Annual World Female Ranger Week, taking place this week (June 23–28, 2025). She emphasized that these funds could cover the costs of 20 new teams of 5-10 members to be trained and dispatched for patrolling. This campaign is essential for the survival of the Black Mambas as South Africa's Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment ended their funding in March 2022, leaving them to rely solely on private sources. Sustainable Tourism As Another Tool To Explore Budge also started a travel company, Wildlife Positive Travel, offering travelers a chance to spend time with the rangers, experience their daily life and visit the local community. "There is a wave of new eco-conscious travelers who want more than silk sheets and luxury game rides. However, the Black Mambas are not tourist attractions," she explained. She calls this trip 'Deeper Luxury Travel' since, in her eyes, it is a privilege to be there. "Sustainable tourism should be a key conservation tool, but it has to be done right," she summarized. Indeed, around the world, and not just in Africa, there are compelling examples of tourism serving as a viable business model to safeguard vulnerable ecosystems and protect wildlife. What Will It Take? As the world races to meet the 30x30 conservation target, protecting 30% of Earth's land and oceans by 2030, a critical gap remains: people. As Budge launches a $2 million fundraising campaign, her call to action is clear: "We need more boots on the ground." But how will the world respond? What will it take to scale this model of community-led, women-powered conservation? Can sustainable tourism help fund frontline efforts without exploiting them? And who will invest in the people who risk everything to protect the planet's most endangered species before it is too late?
Time of India
20-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Black Mamba fight for a female mate: Why the snakes don't bite in the deadly battle for mating
In the wilds of Africa, witnessing two black mambas, among the world's deadliest snakes, locked in combat is both thrilling and eerie. These battles, often lasting over 30 minutes, are not about killing but about mating rights. Surprisingly, the snakes do not bite each other in these fights despite their lethal venom, which can kill a human in under 20 minutes. Instead, male black mambas wrestle in a non-lethal show of strength. They rise, twist, and press against each other, trying to push the rival's head down in a ritual known as 'plaiting combat.' The loser backs off while the winner earns the chance to mate with a nearby female. This restrained, physical contest has fascinated scientists for years and reveals a complex, strategic side of these feared reptiles. Black Mamba's combat ritual: A test of strength, not venom Male black mambas engage in what is called "plaiting combat." This is a non-lethal form of wrestling where the snakes twist, wrap, and tangle around each other in a bid to establish dominance. The snakes rise off the ground, pressing against each other in a vertical battle, trying to force their rival's head downward in a show of strength. The goal of the contest is to physically dominate the opponent rather than injure or kill. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Rather than using their venomous bite, which could end the fight swiftly but with potentially fatal consequences, the snakes follow a ritualised form of combat. The first to submit or retreat loses, and the winner gains access to the nearby female. This physical trial, based on stamina and control, allows both rivals to walk away alive, even if only one walks away victorious. What is at stake for Black Mambas in the battle of strength For male black mambas, these ritualistic wrestling matches are about more than just physical dominance. They are in a fight for the right to mate. With a receptive female nearby, only the strongest and most persistent male earns the opportunity to reproduce. The stakes are high, but so is the risk of fatal injury if venom were used. That is why these snakes engage in controlled combat, where endurance, technique and sheer strength decide the victor. The loser typically retreats without injury, preserving his life for future chances. For the winner, the reward is not just mating rights but also the passing of one of his genes, which in nature is the ultimate success. Venom is too valuable to waste Venom is not something snakes produce endlessly or effortlessly. For the black mamba, venom is a carefully conserved and biologically expensive resource. It is primarily reserved for capturing prey and for self-defence in life-threatening situations. Using venom in a mating battle would be wasteful and risky, particularly when there is no prey to consume and the goal is to impress a potential mate, not to kill a rival. This strategic conservation of venom demonstrates how evolution has shaped their behaviour. By relying on physical strength and avoiding venom use in these contests, black mambas reduce the risk of death and conserve their venom for when it is truly needed. This increases their chances of surviving future threats and securing food. Immunity within the species Another fascinating factor is that black mambas have developed a mild resistance to their own species' venom. Scientists have observed that snakes, particularly those that live in close proximity to others of their kind, often have partial immunity to each other's toxins. This is thought to be a result of evolved antibodies that can neutralise venom components to some degree. However, this immunity is not foolproof. A high enough dose of venom could still cause severe harm or death. This partial resistance likely reduces the danger of accidental bites during social interactions such as mating or feeding, but it does not offer complete protection. That is one more reason why the snakes avoid biting during combat—the risk still outweighs the reward. A bruised ego, not a broken body In contrast to many other species where mating fights can lead to serious injuries or death, black mamba confrontations tend to end with little physical damage. The loser may retreat exhausted and humbled, but he typically escapes without wounds. The winner earns the right to court the female, while the loser retains the chance to fight another day. This approach not only preserves the species' population by reducing needless fatalities but also ensures a sustainable form of sexual competition. The avoidance of fatal conflict suggests a remarkable evolutionary strategy where survival and reproduction are balanced with minimal risk.
IOL News
08-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Durban snake catcher retrieves sixth Black Mamba from Westville home
Nick Evans poses with the fifth/sixth Black Mamba. Image: Supplied A Durban snake-catcher got more than he bargained for when he went to a Westville home this week. Nick Evans is a well-known snake rescuer in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and has seen so much, but was not prepared for what he would see. Evans said he previously caught a Black Mamba under the solar panel from a house in Westville, and since then, he caught two more. Another colleague of his in this industry also caught one. That is four Black Mambas from one roof. On Wednesday, Evans was called back to the same house. 'I couldn't believe it when the homeowner's number popped up twice on my phone. Both Mambas were found by the guys replacing the ceiling boards. They heard the Mambas moving on top of the plastic, beneath the tiles- a Mamba's favourite spot in a roof,' Evans said. This brings the total Black Mambas caught at this house to six. 'I managed to pull the two impressive specimens out through holes in the plastic. The second one was a beast. Both were males, but he (number six) was the biggest,' Evans said. Nick Evans snake rescuer poses with one of the two snakes retrieved in Westville. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He told IOL that Black Mambas are common in the Westville area and as well as many parts of Durban that has valleys and bushes. 'You would ask why so many in one roof? The house borders a nature reserve and the house had many trees growing over and against the roof, providing easy access for the mambas. So keep branches of trees cut away from roofs, but there's no need to chop down the oxygen-supplying plant; it won't deter snakes if you do,' Evans said. He went further, stating there was a healthy dassie/hyrax population living inside the ceiling for many years, as there were mini mountains of their faeces throughout the roof. 'So the strong smell of them would have attracted mambas, which feed on the young ones. It would not surprise me if rats tried living in there, but I saw no signs of them. With mambas around, they wouldn't last long,' Evans said. He said another reason for the large number of Black Mambas in the roof could be mating season, as these particular snakes do not live in groups. He said his colleague caught a 2.6-metre female, and she could have attracted males to the area. 'The recent chill in the air has sparked off mating season for mambas, which breed through the winter months. With the pheromones she'd give off, she may have attracted one or two males, but one of the other six was a young female, who may have left her scent trail.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Snakes in the Hoed educates, thrills online
LIMPOPO – A new YouTube channel, Snakes in the Hoed, is turning the often fear-filled world of snake encounters into a thrilling and educational experience for viewers worldwide. The channel is a dynamic collaboration between local wildlife expert Tim Baynham and Taaibos Bush Lodge owner Pepijn Werkman, aimed at promoting snake conservation while keeping both people and reptiles safe. 'I have been doing snake rescues since I was a young boy. I have had my favourite pair of snake tongs for over thirty years,' said Baynham, who runs Wildlife Safety Solutions in Hoedspruit. Baynham is no stranger to the adrenaline of snake callouts. He mentioned that during peak snake season, he receives up to six calls daily to remove anything from venomous Black Mambas to harmless house snakes. Each callout is a potential adventure and a learning opportunity. 'Every snake removal is unique. Sometimes I am up in a tree, other times I'm crawling into a roof or digging through storerooms,' he said. 'Filming these rescues lets us promote snake conservation in a fun and engaging way,' Baynham added. He stated that the idea for Snakes in the Hoed was sparked when Pepijn Werkman called him to relocate a Black Mamba from his lodge property. That encounter led to a shared interest and eventually a new digital venture. 'Werkman asked if he could join me on a few callouts to film a video for his YouTube channel titled Pep in the Bush. The video was a great success, so we decided to start a completely new channel. The channel is titled 'Snakes in the Hoed' and will feature weekly episodes showcasing my snake rescue and relocation efforts in and around the Hoedspruit area,' Baynham explained. Werkman now films and edits the content, using four cameras to capture every angle of the daring rescues. Together, the duo releases weekly episodes that give viewers an up-close look at both the beauty and the danger of snakes in the Lowveld. Baynham stated that the most frequently featured snakes include Boomslangs, Puff Adders, Snouted Cobras, Mozambique Spitting Cobras, Southern Vine Snakes, and the infamous Black Mamba. He also rescues mildly venomous and non-venomous species when necessary, especially if they pose a risk to pets or enter human dwellings. However, it is not just about the thrill. Education is at the heart of the channel's mission. 'Snakes are shy and retiring animals. They do not want to bite people. If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone. Every callout is a chance to educate. I show the client the snake, talk about its behaviour, and give tips on how to live safely with them,' said Baynham. Contact Baynham at Wildlife Safety Solutions: 073 934 6156, or email info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
6 of the world's most venomous snakes that could easily kill you
Venomous or not, snakes are one of the most feared creatures on Earth. These cold-blooded, limbless reptiles slither, hiss and even bite their prey. Venomous snakes possess venom that contains toxic substances. They inject venom into prey by using their fangs which can cause paralysis, internal bleeding, organ failure, cardiac arrest and even death. Approximately 5.4 million individuals are bitten by venomous snakes annually, leading to an estimated 81,000 to 138,000 fatalities, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, snakes only bite in self-defense-they are more scared of us than we are of them. Dion Wedd, curator of the Territory Wildlife Park, NT, said to Australia Geographic that snakes do not view humans as potential meals, nor do they bite aggressively out of spite. They use their venom to immobilise prey that would be too difficult for them to consume otherwise. Yet, they have the second-largest number of human fatalities attributed to any animal. Only few venomous snakes can kill a human if left untreated. Since the development of anti-venom, the fatalities due to snake bites have reduced. But the problem of snake bites still persists, especially in developing countries where anti-venom is less easily available. Here are 6 venomous snakes in the world that are deadly enough to kill a human: Inland taipan According to the International Journal of Neuropharmacology, Inland Taipan is the most venomous snake in the world, as noted by Live Science. This means that only a tiny bit of this snake's venom is fatal enough to kill humans. As per BBC Wildlife, one bite contains enough lethality to kill atleast 100 adult humans. They are mostly found in Queensland, Centre East and South Australia in pre dug borrows of other animals. Due to its hiding nature, they barely come in contact with humans, thankfully. As per Live Science, the main ingredient of Inland Taipan's venom is hyaluronidase enzyme. This enzyme increases the speed at which toxins are absorbed in the victim's body. Coastal taipan Found mostly in the wet forests of temperate and tropical coastal regions, coastal taipan is a highly venomous snake. Parts Australia like Queensland, New South Wales is home to this subspecies. According to the Australian Museum, its incredible speed makes it difficult to be spared of its bites. As per Australian Geographic, before an effective anti venom was produced, its bite was always fatal. Black mamba Known for its black mouth, Black Mambas are highly aggressive species of snake. Found in sub Saharan Africa, they are the most feared of all. Like most snakes, even Mambas do not seek out humans but if they are threatened, they will attack. According to the BBC, if you are bitten by a black mamba, symptoms such as slurred speech and muscle twitches will follow in 10 minutes and likely death in half an hour. Russel's viper Russel Vipers' bite is the most painful of all. They are quite aggressive and one of the 'the Big Four' along with Indian Cobra, common krait and saw-scaled viper. As per the BBC, these snakes account for 43% of all snakebites in India. However, an anti venom has been developed against its venom saving many lives. Indian cobra Cobras are the world's longest venomous snake. (Source-Freepik) According to the Natural History Museum, King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake in the world. Did you know if a cobra is threatened they can lift themselves off the ground about a third of their body length. They are one of the deadliest snakes and found in India. Their encounters with Humans are quite frequent in India especially in rural areas during monsoon season. Sean Carroll, a molecular biologist wrote in the New York Times that a single bite can kill a human in 15 minutes and an adult elephant in just a few hours. Saw-scaled viper Part of the Big Four, saw scaled vipers are found in the Middle East, South Asia and Central Asia. They are typically aggressive and can be identified by the 'sizzling' sound they make when threatened. As per BBC Wildlife, they are responsible for an estimated 5,000 human fatalities per year in India alone.
