The Black Mamba project aims to gather valuable data on rhino poacher behaviour, enabling the development of effective counter-poaching strategies. The objective is to render the area an unattractive target for poachers, making the risks outweigh the rewards.
This strategy involves forcing poachers into less favourable timeframes and higher-risk areas, increasing their chances of detection. It has become evident over time that apprehending poachers within the protected area was challenging, exacerbated by weak South African poaching laws and low conviction rates. Therefore, the focus shifted to disrupting poaching activities across the landscape.
Addressing rhino poaching requires a multi-faceted approach, including on-ground intervention, technological development, academic research for a better understanding, and community education and empowerment.
