Aussie 'Rambo' Ambushes Animal Poaches

Online, October 7, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Former Australian Commando, Damien Mander, is using his military skills and expertise to stop the hunting and poaching of Africa's animals, and has founded the International Anti Poaching Foundation (IAPF), a non-government, not-for-profit organisation that aims to protect wildlife and raise world-wide awareness of the poaching problem.

After serving as a Clearance Diver in the Royal Australian Navy and then in a Special Operations unit, Damien was employed as a project manager of the Iraq Special Police Training Academy in Baghdad. Now based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Damien was incensed by the lack of resources available to counteract the bloodshed.

"The problem of poaching is extensive and not enough was being done to combat it," said Damien. "Most people think that poaching is a matter of individuals trying to make money to feed their family. Instead, large scale poaching is often run by well organised crime syndicates who flood the commercial market with their illegal takings."

Through assertive action and specialist instruction, drawing on his own skills and experience, Damien provides ranger training to anti-poaching units and also works closely with other conservation organisations with similar objectives.

"We hope to expand to develop five regional training academies protecting the wildlife of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia," said Damien.

For more information on IAPF, to offer your support or make a donation, visit www.iapf.org.