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Fighting for Nature's Future with Damien Mander, IAPF
Manage episode 292274036 series 2899356
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What would you sacrifice to stand up for nature?
Imagine liquidating everything you owned, leaving where you live, the people you know and love to respond to nature’s desperate call in the African wilderness.
This is the story of Damien Mander, the Founder and CEO of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. Damien was born in Australia and is now based in Zimbabwe, and is an Iraq War Veteran who served as a naval clearance diver and Special Operations sniper for the Australian Defence Force.
Following a few catalyst moments on an African adventure trip where he witnessed poacher violence to an ivory-stripped elephant and a pregnant buffalo, Damien knew he was about to embark on a fight bigger than one he’d ever fought at war and what today has become his life’s work.
Thirteen years later, the IAPF formed in 2009, have over 240 employees protecting over 20 million acres of African wilderness. He also formed Akashinga, “The Brave Ones” - an all female, plant-based anti-poaching unit who are bringing heart and empathy to this fight and are succeeding.
Damien remains hopeful and his dedication to wildlife conservation is incredibly powerful and inspiring to listen to. The work he and the team do is critical to the future of some of nature’s most beautiful creatures, biodiversity, the local community and in turn, climate change.
I speak to Damien today about his personal transformation from hunter and sniper to vegan and animal activist. We discuss the remarkable women of Akashinga and the promising future of the IAPF.
I hope you enjoy the episode.
You can learn more about the IAPF on their website or follow them on some of the below social channels for news and to witness the day-to-day work of this dedicated team of wildlife warriors.
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