“We are proud to be the protectors of wildlife and natural resources of Zimbabwe – it is our legacy, our job to do for future generations.”

A core team of anti-poaching rangers was established with The Malilangwe Trust’s inception in 1994. Rhinos were re-introduced to the reserve between 1996 and 1998. Before 2008, poaching was limited to snaring for meat and netting of fish. At this time, the reserve was only partially fenced and, although the scout force was well-organised, it had fewer personnel and was less mobilised.

In 2007, when rhino poaching reached crisis levels in southern Africa and the threats to the reserve intensified, Malilangwe responded by increasing their number of scouts; they developed an intelligence network; scouts training and equipment was improved, and the entire reserve was re-fenced.

Scouts training is an intense selection course, which takes place every few years and is conducted in-house by the Head of Security and Quick Reaction Team. Interviews with potential candidates, aged 20 – 28 years old, take place in the neighbouring communities and the successful recruits then attend a demanding six-months training course on Malilangwe. Training includes physical fitness tests, tracking, flora and fauna education, first aid, weapons training, GPS proficiency and radio etiquette. The physical and mental challenges of the training push these men beyond what they believe they are capable of and the recruits create a bond between themselves to become a team. During this time, 100+ men are whittled down to a select few, who take their places as Malilangwe Scouts in a prestigious pass out parade.

Malilangwe employs 90 scouts who are strategically deployed across the reserve. Every three months, they attend week-long refresher courses in physical fitness, weapons handling, and patrol appraisals. This allows them to fine tune their scouting abilities and skills. All scouts are members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police constabulary.

Their daily patrols contribute to law enforcement and biological monitoring. While on patrol they observe and record data on all large mammals. This data is captured into an extensive database, which is used to direct management and further scientific research.

Amongst the Malilangwe Scouts, there is a Quick Reaction Team which is made up of 12 highly trained individuals, whose primary role is to rapidly react to any security incidences. They work closely with the Head of Security. The QRT will conduct scouts’ selection training and refresher courses, assist with boundary and night patrols, rhino monitoring and data collection, assist government authorities with off property policing and visit local communities, where they forge relationships.

“It’s not just a job, but a way of life”.

• Leadership

  Someone with integrity, who instils fulfilment and creates an environment infused with empathy, teamwork, camaraderie, accountability, and discipline, and encourages responsible personal behaviour beyond the workplace (e.g., education of children, and investment in a family home). A responsible attitude often leads to an improvement in quality of life, making staff proud of their achievements and determined to work to the best of their ability.

• Intelligence

  Is proactive anti-poaching and makes for safer operations. Through engagement and reliable information, scouts can respond and react to apprehend potential poachers before an animal is killed. Intelligence is one of the most important pillars of Malilangwe’s anti-poaching successes and considerable effort and resources are directed to this.

• Funding

  Protection of ecosystems, with all their interconnected elements, comes at significant financial cost. The effectiveness of the Malilangwe Scouts is proven in low levels of poaching and wildlife population growth. To do their jobs efficiently and stay motivated, they need salaries, uniforms, boots, food rations, equipment, training, vehicles, first aid, accommodation, and medical care.

• Recruitment

  Careful selection of the right personality type, well-rounded individuals who are physically fit, have high moral standards, loyal, motivated and are proud to represent the organisation they work for.

• Training

  Honesty, enthusiasm, loyalty, and tenacity are more important than high level anti-poaching skills. Recruits are drilled in the use of firearms and hand to hand combat and other scouting proficiencies. They are also taught how to report sightings, mortalities, and movements of wildlife into and out of the reserve.

• Strategic Deployment

  There are 19 pickets across the reserve and each picket has a patrol area that is spatially defined by the boundary and internal roads. Emphasis is not on distance covered, but on patrolling correctly, in accordance with seasonal differences, thickness of vegetation and type of terrain.

• Community Engagement

  In addition to contributing to the improvement of neighbours’ welfare, Malilangwe employs over 400 staff from the surrounding communities, most of whom have been employed for over a decade. This has dramatically improved their living standards, and those of their extended families. These staff members are Malilangwe’s eyes and ears beyond its boundaries.

  The Malilangwe Scouts play a large part in team building both on the reserve and in the communities through sports and mentorship. Since 2019, they have been mentors and instructors of the Junior Ranger Programme, where the scouts act as fatherly figures to instill and teach important life lessons to a group of schoolboys.