Former Sniper Damien Mander Is Protecting Africa’s Wildlife With an All-Vegan Female Army

A Venn Diagram of a “perfect” vegan would intersect around a few key areas: avoiding all animal products; working to change existing policies and practices that exploit animals; taking every measure to protect or rescue as many animals from cruelty as possible; and being a consistent voice of encouragement for other humans to do the same. In this diagram of ideals, Damien Mander stands dead center.

Founder and CEO of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAFP), Mander didn’t come to animal rights out of an inherent love for animals. Nor was it disdain for the meat and dairy industries that set him on his course. He wasn’t particularly moved to stop the climate crisis or rescue stray dogs off the street. The former Australian Royal Navy diver and sniper was simply out to save his own life.

Combat Takes Its Toll

Mander spent a decade in the service with three years fighting in Iraq. After he left the service, Mander found himself in South America, and he was quickly closing in on rock bottom. Rattled by his years in combat, he began “a rapid downward spiral…