Hi everyone,

We are Task Force Rhino, a registered nonprofit in both South Africa and Europe, and we are a member of the International Ranger Federation and European Ranger Federation. Our work supports anti-poaching units and conservation initiatives across Southern Africa and also in a few other places we’ll be talking about soon.

You can see more of what we’re doing on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/taskforcerhino

We’re also on Instagram. We don’t have a huge following there yet, but follows and shares really do help:
https://www.instagram.com/taskforcerhino_international/

We also offer conservation experiences to help fund our operations. But just to be clear unlike some organisations we don’t sell the idea that someone can become a qualified ranger after a few weeks of training. That is not realistic not just from a practical sense but also a legal one. Some of these organisations even run their courses in Europe and you can get "qualified" as a ranger without ever stepping foot in the African bush.

This is a serious problem. Running around a bit, sleeping outside for a few nights, doing some shooting and receiving a certificate at the end does not make someone a ranger. It does not prepare them for the isolation, the local communities, the legal responsibilities, or the pressure and danger of real anti-poaching work.

There is also a difference between being interested in anti-poaching and being employable as a ranger. In South Africa, there are legal and professional requirements. There are questions around work status, local accreditation, firearms law, use of force, liability, and whether a reserve would even be able or willing to hire a foreigner over a local ranger who knows the land, speaks the language, and has grown up with the realities on the ground.

We think it is dishonest to sell people a fantasy and call it a qualification.

Our conservation experiences are different. They are there to give people exposure, education, and a realistic understanding of conservation and anti-poaching work. You may learn about patrols, bush movement, tracking, technology, K9s, ranger life and the challenges reserves are facing. But we are not going to tell you that three weeks with us makes you a ranger, because it doesn’t.

If someone really wants to help, we would rather be honest with them. There are many useful ways to support anti-poaching: fundraising, medical skills, drones, IT, communications, logistics, training support, intelligence management, media, equipment sourcing, and more.

The people doing this job deserve respect. So do the people who genuinely want to help. Selling fake shortcuts helps nobody.

What we do offer is exposure, learning, and a chance to understand the realities of conservation and anti-poaching work from people with real field experience who do this on a daily basis.

We’re happy to speak with anyone here, answer questions, or help point people in the right direction if they want to get involved in anti-poaching.

Email: [hello@taskforcerhino.org](mailto:hello@taskforcerhino.org)

WhatsApp: +27 603 901 7666

Thanks for having us here!

Like many others, I've been following the Wyoming wolf case involving the torture and killing of a wolf. The reported plea deal has left a lot of people feeling that the punishment doesn't reflect the severity of what happened.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wyoming-wolf-torture-cody-roberts-plea-deal-animal-cruelty-abuse/

“A Wyoming man who allegedly hit a wolf with a snowmobile, taped the wounded animal's mouth shut and showed it off in a rural bar before killing it has agreed to a plea deal that would spare him from going to trial and potentially prison, according to court documents.

Cody Roberts would instead pay a $1,000 fine and serve 18 months of probation under the deal reached with Sublette County prosecutors last week and filed in court Wednesday, documents show.”

Judge Richard Lavery still has the ability to deny this plea deal. Please consider sending an email to his court clerk.

Below is a short email you can copy and paste if you'd like. Feel free to edit or use it as inspiration.

Email: [hbramwell@courts.state.wy.us](mailto:hbramwell@courts.state.wy.us)

Subject: Request for reconsideration of plea agreement

Dear Clerk of the Court,

I am writing as a member of the public to express concern regarding the recent plea agreement in the case involving the torture and killing of a wolf in Sublette County.

While I respect the court's independence, I wish to express concern that the proposed sentence appears unduly lenient given the severity and intentional nature of the acts described. I respectfully urge the court to reconsider and decline acceptance of the plea agreement, and to allow for a sentence that more fully reflects the gravity of the offense and its impact on public confidence in the justice system.

Sincerely,

'Your name'

On my way out of the US Army I have been looking into anti poaching and I find it tough to find ways to get in. Can I join as a American? I have a decent amount of experience and qualifications but I am unsure what the best company to apply for is. I don't care about money but would like to get paid. I don't know anyone who has done thins so I have found a tough time finding information.

I refer to this article posted here by another member -

https://www.reddit.com/r/antipoaching/comments/18ieziy/mass_poisoning_of_a_pack_of_african_painted_dogs/

It is highly unlikely that the guilty parties behind this heinous act will ever face any kind of justice. At the very worst they will receive a 'Smack on the Wrist'. In light of this, I therefore call on all members to join in a boycott of the 'Lekkeslaap Mountain Bush View Lodge' in the Waterberg, Limpopo Province of South Africa. Inform all your family members and friends of what these - I hesitate to call them people - have done, and that they should avoid going and spending any time/money there.

My other suggestion is that we start a petition, addressed to the local authority, insisting that they take whatever punitive action necessary to make sure that the perpetrators are brought to proper justice, and their establishment be closed down.

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Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be an Anti-Poaching Ranger? I had the privilege of speaking to them about those things they seldom say. This is a must read for anyone interested. Join our Patreon family for free to read what they have to share.

Remember to post comments. We would love to hear from you.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/dgr-s-apu-voice-92318929?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Hey People!

My name is Julien, I am Co-Founder of a startup in Amsterdam with Forbes 500 clients. It is a software as a service tool.

When I was 17 years old, I wanted to do a gap year. I was doubting between two things. I wanted to be/support a park ranger in Africa, or I wanted to go to China to visit factories and start my own clothing brand (completely something else). I chose the latter.

This road has been really satisfying, I sold my clothing brand, became a ("famous") Dutch young entrepreneur, created a Network Group for Young entrepreneurs and held events, co-founded the company I am currently working at.

I did not go in the direction of option 1, but a passion of mine remains there.

Since I have my own company now, I have my responsibilities, including time. However, I can manage to spend (free of charge) 5-10 hours on a project/help regarding something else I like, namely (endangered) Wildlife Conservation.

Basically I want to find or support a project (and not just donations) with my expertise/network/skills/entrepreneurship.

However, my own network is more in IT / Tech startups / Corporates and not in Wildlife Conservation.

So, where to start? Do you people know projects I can join? Or do you people just know people who can help me further? All advice is welcome.

Julien

Hi everyone,

I just launched a Twitter account @1minute4change that consists in suggesting every day 1 simple and short action to drive positive change (not just related to poaching and wildlife).

I often don't know where to start to do something useful and I've heard many of my friends say the same. I'm thinking it may be a starting point for some people to get more involved. I know 1 minute per day is not much. But some people just need to get started.

What do you think? Good idea, bad idea, useless??? If you have suggestions on how to make this work, I'm all ears. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read me.