The Rhino Guardians - Dan Sadgrove Film

Dan Sadgrove is a filmmaker and photographer from New Zealand, whose documentary style takes us further than just facts and sit down interviews. The subjects of his films themselves become compelling narrators, while Dan's outstanding cinematography captures the power of the people, animals and landscapes in each film. Gritty but beautiful colour grading and subtle but effective sound design prove that less can be more when it comes to producing something that makes the audience truly feel the story. (See description on Vimeo for credits) Last year, Dan travelled to to South Africa to visit The Black Mambas, and after ten days of filming brought back 'The Rhino Guardians'- a thoughtful insight into this one-of-kind anti-poaching unit:

"The poachers will fall, but it will not be with guns and bullets." - Siphiwe Sithole

(Photograph: A member of the Black Mambas, by Dan Sadgrove) Who are the Black Mambas? This unarmed anti-poaching organisation was founded in 2013, when six local women who at the time were high-school graduates from disadvantaged communities, got together with ecologist and head warden of the reserve, Craig Spencer.

Twenty more members gradually joined, with the initiative recently also recruiting another nine from the Maseke tribe. They have become the first female rangers of Africa, whose fierce mission is to protect wildlife and inspire the next generation of environmentally aware guardians within the Balule Nature Reserve area of South Africa. The Balule is part of the Greater Kruger National Park which is home to the cheetah, zebra, giraffe, antelope as well as Africa's big five: the lion, African elephant, African Buffalo, African leopard and of course the white rhino. The need for anti-poaching protection in the area is crucial. As the Black Mambas themselves say, the area is 'constantly plagued by rhino and bush-meat poachers'.

(Photo: Black Mamba trio, by Julia Gunther at http://www.blackmambas.org/)

As we know by now it is rare to find African wildlife that has not at least made the near threatened list. The White rhino is no exception, and as for the rest of it's African and Asian relatives- well, the black and the Sumatran rhino are classed as critically endangered, along with the Javan Rhino, of which there are only 60 left in the wild, surviving in a single national park in Indonesia.

(Illustration: Save The Rhino)

The group say that since 2016, 1063 Rhino's have been poached in South Africa alone- that's around 5% of the estimated worldwide white rhino population in existence, which equals on average three rhino poaching deaths a day. Consider though, that this figure was recorded in a year where the Mambas along with other anti-poaching units were actively on the ground, the death toll would be a whole lot higher without their vital conservation efforts.

(Photo: A Black Mamba member, by James Sutter) The team search for and destroy poachers camps and wire-snare traps every day. They shut down bush-meat kitchens and report each and every sign of illegal entry to the reserve while they patrol up to 20 kilometres a day. Their bold presence alone acts as a deterrent to those who try to make their money killing wildlife- since 2013, their work has led to a 75% reduction of snaring and poisoning activities within their area of operation. Courageous groups like the Black Mambas are the hope that we need in a world were there is still demand for rhino horn, and other animal 'commodities'. And for those of us who aren't on the ground, we have to show our support and gratitude towards such individuals, for braving the front line of conservation in the name of a better future for people and wildlife.

(Photo: two of the women on patrol, by James Sutter) Education The Mambas also run an education programme, teaching and inspiring environmental awareness, which is interlinked into the curriculum of the local schools. The project is named 'Bushbabies', referencing the young children learning about the environment, or the 'bush'. They aim to build young peoples' skills in and understanding of conservation, encourage sustainable ways of living and using resources as well as sharing how they too can protect wildlife. "It is our belief that the war on poaching will not be won with guns and bullets, but through the local communities and education."

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Siphiwe Sithole Since Dan made his documentary, one of the Black Mambas members, Siphiwe Sithole has sadly passed away aged 31, due to a short illness. She left behind her a legacy of total passion and dedication for conservation, along with endless admiration and respect from her community, the rest of the Mambas and everyone she had inspired during her life. He has honoured the film in her memory.

(Photo: Black Mambas Facebook. Siphiwe Sithole sharing her knowledge with children in her community.)

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Follow the Black Mambas on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackmambasapu/?fref=ts or visit their website: http://www.blackmambas.org/ Find more of Dan Sadgrove's films at: https://vimeo.com/dansadgrove or follow his Instagram: @dan_sadgrove As Dan mentions in his documentary description, the Black Mambas do rely heavily on donations. You can support their work by donating at: rhinomercy.org.

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