CREATOR INTERVIEW

What made you decide to write a book about the Black Mambas?

I was first drawn to the Black Mambas because of their courage. They were the first women to become park rangers in their country and formed the first all-women anti-poaching unit. And get this, they patrol the bush unarmed and on foot in a wildlife reserve known for the Big 5: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and African buffalo! As I dug deeper, however, I realized their story is about so much more than stopping poaching -- it's about protecting wildlife, empowering women, and strengthening communities. Their work challenges traditional ideas about conservation by showing that protecting animals isn't just about catching bad guys sneaking into the reserve.

What was your inspiration for the book?

I love adventure, and I love to travel. And if I'm honest, I wrote this book so I would have an excuse to meet the Black Mambas in pereson. One of the advantages of being a photographer is that I have to visit the places or people I need to take photos of for my books. I'm currently working on a book about polar bears because I want to visit the North Pole.

What was your favorite part of the book?

My favorite moment in the book is the scary part. The rangers have discovered that poachers are using a hole in the fence to go in and out of the reserve. The rangers hide and wait for the poachers to return to their camp inside the reserve. It's almost midnight and completely dark. Wild animals could be lurking nearby. Suddenly, the rangers see a flashlight in the distance. The poachers are coming!

What was your research process for making The Black Mambas?

I spent five years learning from the Black Mambas while I worked on this book. I interviewed them. I read articles, listened to podcasts, looked at photos, and watched videos about them. I talked with their friends, families, and co-workers. Best of all, I got to visit the Black Mambas. I rode in the back of their truck during night patrol and got up early to walk the fence. I swept the bush for snares. I listened. I observed. I was curious. I asked questions. I took lots of pictures. I still wasn't an expert like them, but I began to see patterns in their stories, which I wrote down in my field journal. Then, I wrote the book using their words and the photos I took on my trip.

What was it like to meet the Black Mambas in person?

The Black Mambas call themselves the "eyes and ears of the reserve" because they pay attention to what is going on around them. That's their job. They figure poachers won't sneak into the reserve if someone is watching them. This idea is called visual policing.

What was the most surprising thing about visiting the Black Mambas?

After dark, I was taking a photo of the rangers in their truck. At that moment, one of the rangers yelled, "Kelly, get in the truck now!" I grabbed my things and ran. From the truck, I saw an enormous male elephant stomping his feet and flapping his ears. He was standing exactly where I had taken a picture only seconds before. The rangers had probably saved my life! And how in the world had they known an elephant was in those bushes?

Were you ever scared when you were in the bush with wild animals?

Yes! We were driving through the bush when our truck lurched to a halt. "Lions!" someone whispered. I squinted to see if I could spot lions off in the distance only to discover that two lions with bushy manes were lounging in the grass only three yards from where I was sitting. And our truck had no roof or windows. I leaned over and asked, "Is this safe?" They assured me that lions would not attack as long as we were sitting still because the lions thought of us and our truck as one animal far too big to eat.

What do you hope readers will learn or discover from reading your book?

One thing I discovered is that the Black Mambas are regular people just like you and me. They are normal people doing something extraordinary. I consider myself an ordinary person, so I find it inspiring to think that someone like me could do something extraordinary. I wonder what extraordinary thing you might decide to do today...

The Black Mambas