The Todd Group has had considerable association with training protectors of wildlife anti-poaching personnel. This begun with operators making contact with Todd Group HQ and being referred to our UK depot for training initially.
After this some of the personnel attended Todd Group courses in Thailand and South Africa and we also had Todd Group UK and Germany based instructors travel to Africa to provide Todd systems training.
The most recent course we conducted was in Zambia for anti-poaching and anti-trafficking enforcement personnel.
The illegal trade in wildlife products is one of the largest illegal industries in the world with the illegal taking and sale of wildlife products being undertaken by dealers and organised crime syndicates.
Offences include poaching for ivory and bush meat. The task that the protectors of wildlife have in relation to trying to prevent poaching and apprehend offenders is massive.
Below are picture of the sad realities of poaching and trafficking
The rangers and undercover operators are very dedicated and caring people that work tirelessly and against considerable odds with limited manpower and resources to provide the highest level of anti and counter poaching combined with wildlife protection enforcement possible. This course was a full muster with applications having to be closed off well out before the course start date. The operators came from various locations and divisions all working in the protection of wildlife and prevention of wildlife crimes.
They really need global support from world citizens that really care about the protection of these amazing animals.
The wildlife crime prevention project is a WWF initiative in partnership with game Ranges International.
The work that these wildlife professionals undertake can be extremely high risk and dangerous and there have been a number of operators killed injured and maimed in the execution of their duties.
This horrible picture is the reality of poaching and without the anti poaching professionals more and more of these magnificent animals will be slaughtered
The Todd Group have a commitment to arming these personnel with the most effective defensive tactics and skills in self-protection and close quarters combat to ensure their safety is increased and their chances of objective achievement heightened. This course was coordinated and managed by Kerri Rademeyer who has previously undertaken a Todd group phase 1 course of instruction in South Africa. Her efforts in ensuring wide ranging and diverse wildlife enforcement organisations personnel were invited combined with the detailed planning and resourcing of this course was nothing short of excellent.
Her recruiting and course promotion was responsible for course numbers having to be closed off as course confirmations quickly exceeded the set number of proponents in relation to the instructor exponent ratio.
Kerri Rademeyer
Having the opportunity to conduct the course in Zambia at the Wild Tracks Lodge alongside the lower Zambezi River was a fitting and great location. ???
The course was a week of full days of training conducted in the outdoors with a lot of subject matter content to be delivered and learned.
The course being on site made possible the utilisation of maximum training time required in order to cover self- protection and CQC skills through to suspect apprehension and restraining defensive tactics required skills.
Then there was extensive weapon disarming under assault and at weapon point training and CQC (CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT TRAINING) threat neutralisation training relevant to operators needs in the field.
The training included primary and emergency actions on threat neutralisation training for these willing and eager exponents. There was an introduction training module in amphibious CQC tactics and skills that included training in relation to detainee taking and handling for water operations. Self- protection under water operation conditions to ensure operator safety was also instructed.
Myself as a keen hunter but also someone who respects the environment and the need to protect endangered species has a commitment to all the protectors of wildlife the Todd group train in Africa.
Every course attracts new specialist operators and instructors and as such the Todd groups presence and expansion in Africa grows.
These are individuals that are practical realists and when they see something that works and may well be superior to what they have used previously they commit to training in such new or improved skills to increase their personal safety and their chances of objective achievement in protecting wildlife and preventing the exploitation of wildlife by trafficking of ivory and other illegal wildlife by-products.
The Todd Group model is that of a group that grows one exponent at a time identifying committed realists that are not only seeking such training but by participation and association want to be best prepared and the best operator they can be.
Many of these are people that do not want soft options in training as they realise the dangers of their duties and that such soft options can fail under actions on incidents.
They can clearly recognise and identify dangerous or flawed tactics and skills for their very specialist trade specific duties and roles.
Even though they are somewhat restricted by location budget and training provisions as well as being in constant demand because of the threat being so high to the amazing wildlife of Africa they relish the opportunity to up skill.
Most of the Todd Group contract work is low-key private or restricted for security reasons. However wild life anti-poaching and anti-trafficking of wildlife products is something that the world need to be aware of and understand the dire realities for endangered species if these committed wildlife protector professionals are not well resourced and supported by world citizens.
The commitment these small numbers of dedicated specialists have show considerable odds to ensure wildlife is protected long-term is incredible. Having the opportunity to not only train these operators but to stay with them in camp hear them talk of experiences was a very unique opportunity. Being able to answer their questions verbally and by instruction of physical tactics and skills in relation to dangerous threats they have faced or concerns they have in relation to known threats and trends was a very special and unique instructing experience especially with the appreciation shown by good people that were eager for knowledge.
The understanding of the African environment and wildlife by these professionals is truly amazing.
I’m looking forward to seeing some of these good people on future courses.
If the world wants to see these endangered amazing animals living free in the wild the actions of the wild life protectors need to be increased and given every support and assistance.
These pictures are how things should be with these amazing creatures living free in the wild.
Photos kindly provided by Brian Harris (Serengeti), Trevor Langeveld Niassa (Mozambique) and Paula Masterson (Wild Tracks Lodge, Lower Zambezi)
Any individuals, companies, organisations or corporations that can support the work of these dedicated wildlife protection professionals by becoming donors. Contact Kerri
Kerri Rademeyer
Project Manager
Wildlife Crime Prevention Project – Zambia
The scale of illegal exploitation of natural resources has expanded drastically since 2009 with estimated annual revenue ranging between 70 and 213 billion dollars (The Environmental Crime Crisis – UNEP/INTERPOL, 2014). Wildlife criminals have become extremely professional, organized networks. The last 6 years have seen the worst illegal ivory activity in 25 years, and since the ivory trade ban in 1989. In 2013, over 50 tons of ivory were seized globally. In a similar trend, illegal bushmeat is also on the increase throughout Africa. In 2014, ZAWA confiscated over 4 tonnes of dried bushmeat in the Copperbelt province within 3 weeks. Consumption of bushmeat is no longer part of subsistence livelihoods, but rather a means out of poverty by illegally hunting large quantities of wildlife and selling it for commercial purposes. The value of bushmeat sold on the black market in Zambia currently exceeds the value of legal bushmeat, beef or poultry.
The capital city Lusaka, according to the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), is not only the largest market within Zambia for illegal wildlife products from bushmeat to ivory, but also the center for poaching logistics (firearms, ammunition and transport). Lusaka has become a processing centre, transit point, and a hub for the criminal syndicates driving the demand. These syndicates form a significant threat to Zambia’s wildlife resources, economy and tourism sector.
Currently in Zambia, much emphasis is placed on the management of protected areas. However little is being done to address the demand for and trade of wildlife products. Protecting large protected areas take a significant amount of funding, concise management and skills. Even with all the resources, it is difficult to protect these areas fully. Therefore, in order to make a real impact in conserving wildlife and natural resources, a holistic, more proactive approach needs to be taken by reducing the domestic and international demand.
At present, there is a serious lack of resources and support for ZAWA’s Intelligence and Investigations Unit (IIU). Due to this lack of support, the IIU is unable to effectively carry out simple duties such as operational activities, nurturing informants, covert operations or even following up on known threats and information. With their current limited resources, the IIU is only able to follow up on 3 out of every 20 cases brought to their attention (Senior Intelligence Officers, personal comm, 2014). With only a single vehicle and limited funds and means for operational work, the results achieved are minimal.
This project will set out to understand and put in place effective actions towards the tracking and breaking the wildlife crime chains. This can be achieved by building relationships with governments (in Zambia and neighboring countries) to enforce wildlife laws more proactively, and work with international, regional and local organizations to share information. It aims to ensure that Zambia’s wildlife is protected for future generations and stand out as a country that respects and cares for their natural resources.
This project will cover three key Modules
Module 1: Research, Strategic Intelligence and Analysis
Module 2: Equipment and Infrastructure
Module 3: Operations
Module 4: Capacity Building
Module 5: Awareness, Policy advocacy and Relationship Building
Anyone that has the capability to become a donor please contact Kerri, as your support is needed and appreciated by the people on the ground doing the hard work.
For more information, please contact:
Kerri Rademeyer
Project Manager
Wildlife Crime Prevention Project – Zambia
Over the last 8 months with a small amount of support from Wildlife Crime Prevention Project and their partners, the Zambia Wildlife Authority’s Investigations and Intelligence Unit have had the following success:
- Arrest of one of INTERPOL’s 9 most wanted wildlife criminals – Ben Simasiku
- 504.3+ kg of ivory recovered
- 83 Arrests
- 3 Live pangolin recovered and released
- 3 Dead pangolin recovered
- 4 Lion Skins
- 2 Leopard Skins
- 21 Informants Recruited
- 9 Rifles confiscated
- 430+ ammunition confiscated
- Set up of a fully furnished Operations and Planning Room
- Purchase of a 4×4 covert vehicle for operational use
- Training in Close Combat Skills
- Detection Dog Trial
- Critical information gathered on large wildlife networks within the country
The Todd Group provide specialist training to the military elite and specialist units. they are the oldest training provider of their kind providing European military CQC and European military self defence training. Todd Group was established in 1927 and are military and police services consultants training program developers and training provision instructors. By majority their instruction provision comes by referral. They also conduct civilian courses for serious military combative and self defence enthusiasts.
