The Wild Horizons Anti Poaching Unit was established in June 2008 after an intensive selection process from applicants from the local community of Monde. The selected trainees became fully operational after four weeks of training which gave them the skills to become an effective and motivated Wildlife Protection Unit.

The unit is currently based within the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary which makes up part of the Victoria Falls National Park which is also included within the designated Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. The 26 members are guided by the competent leadership of Vixon Mkhandla and Bongani Dlodlo and although their main responsibilities are to secure the protection of wildlife within the Sanctuary area in coordination with National Parks and Wildlife Authority, their duties extend beyond this.

The unit’s areas of responsibilities include:

• The protection of all fauna and flora within the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary including snare removal, apprehending poachers and general law enforcement coverage
• The monitoring and control of all persons entering the Sanctuary area (gate management)
• The protection and monitoring of the electric perimeter fence
• To support the wildlife protection activities of the Vic Falls Anti-poaching unit within the Victoria Falls area
• To support the wildlife protection activities of the National Parks and Wildlife Authority within the Victoria Falls area
• The rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife caught in snares or orphaned within the Vic Falls region. This includes the darting and snare removal of effected animals.
• Conservation education and interpretation within local communities and schools
• The monitoring of ecosystems within the sanctuary area. This includes elephant impact on vegetation and erosion control
• The establishment and management of an indigenous tree nursery for future reforest planting within the area

Results for 2009

The Wild Horizons Anti-poaching unit has achieved the following during 2009:

• The darting and rescue of 22 animals for Snare Removal during 2009. These have included 8 elephant, 4 buffalo, 2 impala, 4 warthog, 1 kudu, 1 bush buck, 1 lion and 1 sable.
• Animals rescued and released into the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary include – 1 bush buck and 8 warthog
  A total of 115 snares were recovered from the Victoria Falls area. This included wire, cable and nylon snares.
•  27 persons were apprehended for wildlife related offences
• Eight schools (20 children from each) visited the Elephant Wallow within the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary for an elephant interaction and conservation educational experience. This was organised in collaboration with Environment Africa - Vic Falls.
• Ongoing progress with localised erosion control projects
• The initiation of a indigenous tree nursery.