This documentary has now arrived on Disney Plus, as part of the National Geographic strand. Though an interesting overall introduction to the organisation, its short length means that it's severely lacking in depth.
In Zimbabwe, Damien Mander, an Australian special forces operative has established a term of rangers trained and tasked with protecting the wildlife from teams of poachers. This team, named, Akashinga, is made up entirely of women, and in particular encourages recruitment of women from abusive situations, or difficult home life. Whilst engaging in armed patrol, the groups aims are wider, and they look to convince the communities that animal preservation is in their best interest - and simultaneous improving the lives of the members.
What's there is good. The situation is explained, we see a number of women go through the training scheme and initiations and then go on patrol. However, at 13 minutes it's just not long or detailed enough. It feels like it's a proof of concept for an actual documentary. I don't, at the end of the doc, understand how missions work, under what authority they operate and arrest poachers or who exactly is funding the programme? (Though I'd assume the answer to that last one is the International Anti-Poaching Foundation - but that comes from Wikipedia, rather than the film).
As I say, as an introduction to an organisation I didn't know existed, it's fine, but ultimately, I'm left with more questions than answers at its conclusion.
