Poaching proves to be one of the leading causes for putting animals on the brink of extinction.

As an example, the African elephants are killed in tens of thousands every year for their ivory tusk, China being the biggest consumer. These tusks belong on the elephant, not on a vanity as an ornament or around someone's neck as jewelry. This is the reality of it, these beautiful animals are being murdered just because someone wants a pretty piece of jewelry.

Thankfully there is good in this world that fights to stop this illegal trade.

The elephant population in Zimbabwe has declined by about 40% since 2001. To help with conservation efforts, the International Anti-Poaching Foundation established an all-female team to tackle these issues. The Akashinga is Zimbabwe's armed female anti-poaching unit. "The Brave Ones" manage an entire nature preserve that was previously reserved for and financed by trophy hunting.

The women chosen for such a task were previous sex workers, abused women, single mothers, orphans, and even the wives of poachers who were arrested. The women chosen for such an honor must prove to be strong individuals They cannot be corrupted, they must be honest and trustworthy women who understand the importance of the role they play. They are bonded together to reach one goal: to provide for their families, to strengthen their communities, and to protect the biodiversity surrounding them.

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Not only are they protecting the wildlife, they are also helping to bring back an economy that once relied on hunting by bringing in a new source of income. A better source of income that does not take the lives away from these animals, but instead saves them.

They were chosen to get a second chance and show the world they are more than what their society believes they are.

The Akashinga are an inspiration that I hope spreads to women nationwide. We need more people to join together and tackle the issues we have today when it comes to the biodiversity of our planet. It is such an important and delicate matter that many do not take seriously enough, but there is strength found in numbers.