US soldier's fight to end Africa's poaching crisis
A gutsy army veteran who served in Afghanistan is using her combat experience to hunt poachers killing some of the world's most endangered species in Africa.
Kinessa Johnson, from Yelm, Washington State, spent four years as a weapons instructor and mechanic.
After retiring from the army, she joined Veterans Empowered to Protect African Wildlife (VETPAW) – a nonprofit organisation which aims to end the poaching crisis.
The former soldier prompted criticism after she posted images of herself holding weapons on social media, but Ms Johnson insists she is not a ‘poacher hunter’, and prefers to be known as an ‘anti-poaching advisor’.
“Our intention is not to harm anyone,” she told 11 Alive in Atlanta.
“We’re here to train park rangers so they can track and detain poachers and ultimately prevent poaching.
“Most of the time, anyone that is in a reserve with a weapon is considered a threat and can be shot if rangers feel threatened.
“Our goal is to prevent trigger pulling through strategic movements and methods of prevention.”
VETPAW was founded by an ex-Marine and is made up of former soldiers who enlisted post-9/11.
Ms Johnson joined the group in November last year and is stationed near Arusha, Tanzania.
She is passionate about her part in protecting endangered animals.
In a message to supporters on her Facebook page, she wrote: “With your help, we can educate the world about the realities of wildlife poaching; but also, help put an end to it.
“We've only got one shot at preserving a species – once they're gone, they're gone.”
