The park ranger industry throughout Africa is typically dominated by men, which is why it’s so groundbreaking that an all-female team of wildlife rangers has just been formed!

The first all-female anti-poaching team in Africa has been tasked with watching over the animals at the Phundundu Wildlife Park in Zimbabwe. Situated on 115 square miles of habitat, the park has become prime trophy hunting ground, as it is home to over 11,000 elephants.

The all-female program offers women the chance to overcome adversity in a huge way. Kelly Lyee Chigumbura is a young mother who lost custody of her child due to her inability to find work before she was able to get a job as a park ranger. Since she started working at the park, Kelly has regained custody of her child and gotten a sense of confidence that she never had before.

Kelly’s unit Akashinga, which means “the brave ones” in English, is full of young women who have similar stories to hers.

“When I manage to stop poachers, I feel accomplished,” Kelly said. “I want to spend my whole life here on this job, arresting poachers and protecting animals.”

A filmmaker who has been covering the all-female unit explained that the sense of accomplishment that the women feel carries over to their social lives.

“The change in them, the shift, is unbelievable … whereas before they were ashamed in a way, now they have a spirit to them. They’re walking on air,” the filmmaker said.

“With this model we have twice as many people to choose from for employing as rangers,” added the former Special Forces sniper who founded the unit. “I think women will change conservation forever.”

Find out more about this incredible program in the video below!