The Veterans Training The Black Mambas

Small teams of elite soldiers are often deployed around the world to train foreign forces in the art of war - and for some British veterans that is no different since leaving the regular forces.

Deployed to deliver training to an all female anti-poaching team in South Africa, two veterans have found themselves helping the war against poaching.

Balule Nature Reserve in South Africa is 50,000 hectres in size, and home to the 'big five': lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinos.

The area may look serene and peaceful, but the reserve is fighting the battle of a generation – the war on poaching.

Behind the scenes, British Army veterans are here training the front line anti poaching forces - the Black Mambas.

"They've got a brilliant concept here, the Black Mambas, but they've got no leadership structure in place. That's what we want to achieve at the end of this," says Ali Donaldson, RAMC veteran.

It is hoped the training will improve the womens' efforts on tracking poachers.

It has become a serious conflict in South Africa, so much so, the former director of South African special forces has been drafted in to lead the fight.

In December last year, the park suffered its biggest loss of rhino in recent years. 

Rhino horn sells for $60,000 a kilo.

Black rhino is now a critically endangered species, and it is down to the anti poaching units to prevent its extinction.

"Already they [Black Mambas] are having worldwide fame from what they're doing," says Aimee Nash, Royal Military Police reservist.

"If it expands then it could be the resolution."

The Black Mambas' first senior command course is being run at a camp 60km into the bush.

Taking part are 12 women who met the standard.

It's being run at a camp 60km into the bush for 12 women who came up to the standard.

Their next challenge will be leading a real patrol into the bush, looking for the poachers.