Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit

Education and Employment

"Working together to conserve our natural heritage."

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Whilst the anti-poaching unit activity is largely directed at the removal of snares and the apprehension of mammal poachers, a great deal of time is spent educating and reinforcing the benefits of conserving our natural resources. We spend time bringing the conservation message to local communities through drama groups, who portray this vital message through song, dance and myths.

 

 

A community drama group teaches enacts the horrors associated with poaching

 

Kids from local schools visit the Elephant Camp to learn more about animals and conservation

 

   

To help prevent further destruction of our fauna and flora, VFAPU attempts to seek employment for convicted poachers. We seek alternative means and ways for wood carvers to earn a living by working with the Forestry Commission. The carvers are now able to purchase wood from the Forestry headquarters and free transport is now provided to and from this base. A number of these poachers are actually women and VFAPU works with other organizations to offer alternatives to such impoverished people. Training programs to teach various skills such as weaving and embroidery have been established, so as to provide alternative and meaningful employment.

 

 

Indigenous Hardwood Poacher


The same poacher reformed and selling legal carvings commercially

 



Ladies found poaching wood for fuel



Reformed wood poacher now making textiles to support herself and her family

VFAPU is always in search of employment for ex-poachers and sustainable ideas of ways to decrease poaching such as the stove below that uses sawdust (available for free from local mills), rather than the traditional collection of wood. 

Ex-poacher now making high end cloth items

VFAPU training of a long burning stove using sawdust from local mills

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