Stalking elephant poachers with the

Stalking elephant poachers with the Akashinga Rangers

In this continuing series, the hosts of Australia’s longest running news and current affairs program, 60 Minutes, take us behind the scenes of the guests, stories and interviews that have stayed with them.

It’s an odd mix.

But Damien Mander, a burly ex-Australian special forces sniper, and a group of resilient women in Zimbabwe who have faced deep pain and heartache in their lives, are turning out to be a match made in heaven.

The women trained by Mander go by the name the Akashinga Rangers, which translates into “the Brave Ones”.

Australian Damien Mander, a special ops sniper, trains the Akashinga Rangers - Zimbabwe's all-female anti-poaching unit. — Australian Damien Mander, a special ops sniper, trains the Akashinga Rangers – Zimbabwe’s all-female anti-poaching unit. (60 Minutes)

The poaching trade lures some Zimbabweans to kill their native wildlife by paying them premiums for tusks, paws, pelts, or bones. (60 Minutes)

Watch the video at the top of the page for Tom Steinfort’s recollections about the Akashinga Rangers.

Responsible for protecting local elephant herds from deadly, gun-wielding poachers, the Akashinga Rangers are an awe-inspiring story of empowerment, 60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort says.

It’s a “rogue” and “head-turning” project of change in the region, Steinfort explains, reflecting on an assignment where the women, their mission and the majestic natural environment all moved him profoundly.

“For centuries, the women in that area have been told, ‘don’t bother getting a job, you’re not up to it, you’re not worthy of this line of work of earning an income.’

“So this is a full change of mindset for people in that region … all of a sudden these women are empowered and they are important to the community.”

The Akashinga Rangers set off on a night patrol, searching for poachers and protecting local elephant herds. (60 Minutes)

60 Minutes reporter Tom Steinfort was deeply moved by the women who make up the Akashinga Rangers. (Nine.com.au)

Poachers have devastated populations of some animals in Africa. (60 Minutes)

At night, bands of poverty-stricken, desperate poachers hunt the Phundundu Wildlife Park for elephant and a bounty of ivory. The Akashinga Rangers are there to stop them.

“There are people out there that don’t like the work (the Akashinga Rangers) are doing and are willing to fight to defend the right to poach,” Steinfort says.

It is a place Steinfort says he would love to return in 20 years.

“Just see the difference that it’s made,” he explains, “not just for the women but by then their daughters that they’ve brought up and set an example to, to hopefully be out there in the workforce as well.”