CASE STUDIES

Case Study 1: Pathfinder in Somalia

During the oil exploration project in Somalia Pathfinder provided the security services for the project. The project started with a small Pathfinder team and a special unit established locally consisting of military and police force members. Pathfinder was responsible for the management of the Exploration Security Unit, or ESU and had to ensure that all ESU members were trained at a satisfactory level to meet the client’s requirements. Pathfinder also administered the ESU in human resource, deployment, logistics and finance. As the project developed and equipment was deployed to Puntland, Pathfinder was responsible for all movement planning of both personnel and equipment. All expat movement was done with at least one Pathfinder member as Convoy Team Leader. Pathfinder members played a critical role in the off-loading of the ships, as well as loading when the exploration phase was completed. All equipment was moved to the exploration site by trucks and Pathfinder members planned and executed all these movements after the required reconnaissance of all the routes. On site Pathfinder was responsible for the overall security, ensuring that all guard posts were manned at all times. Pathfinder members were also involved in all movement on site and acted as Team Leaders for all personnel movement outside the high security, or inner zone. When the exploration project was completed Pathfinder played a pivotal role in the closure of the sites and movement of all equipment back to the Bosaso harbour. Pathfinder remained in Bosaso to maintain and safeguard equipment kept in the country for the next phase.

Case Study 2: Pathfinder in South African National Parks – protecting environmental assets

Whenever South African National Parks (SANParks), implements an anti-poaching initiative to curb the illegal killing of rhino or our wildlife, one can be assured that behind the process sits a sound strategy developed out of vital intelligence gathering and vast expertise in the field of environmental protection. The source of this intelligence and action is Pathfinder, foremost experts in environmental asset protection and a longterm strategic partner to the SANParks anti-poaching unit. Pathfinder work closely with Major General Johan Jooste in the research, planning, management and implementation of all environmental asset protection strategies across the 20 national parks. With a footprint and networks across Africa they are ideally positioned to manage the environmental assets of the continent. In accordance with co-operation agreements between SANParks, local and international law enforcement agencies plus governments and environmental bodies around the world, Pathfinder works in close collaboration with these organisations to maintain the seven pillars of environmental sustainability. These include: Biodiversity management, conservation and protection Compliance with CITES and other relevant internationally binding Conventions Forestry and biodiversity law enforcement and compliance with domestic frameworks and applicable conventions Strengthen the cooperation on the above through the exchange of information, best practice and research Technology use, transfer and development Natural resource management and wildlife trade Protected areas management, community development, sustainable livelihoods, and other areas related to the prevention of poaching and wildlife conservation With specialised strategic insight, extensive military expertise, vast experience in bush warfare and the containment of hostile environments, plus a wide network of intelligence gatherers throughout South Africa and Africa, extending into the eastern countries, Pathfinder is ideally equipped to research, plan, manage and implement strategic missions designed to counter the insurgency war against rhino and other endangered wildlife species. It is no secret that the Kruger National Park has borne the brunt of poaching activities and Pathfinder believes that the only way to win this war is to control all commands from one point through sound intelligence, the deployment of highly trained operatives, advanced technology and intensive discipline. The five-year strategy involves a unified approach involving technology, ground resource, and vital intelligence that will be used to sanitize and contain the vast landscape covered by our national parks, with a vision to protect our environmental asset at our backs rather than reacting to the attacks in front. Governed by total confidentiality, the Pathfinder strategic plan for SANParks is slowly starting to make an impact on global poaching activities, with far-reaching consequences for the international syndicates and illegal chain of command. Increased support and financial aid is being sought globally to accelerate the impact and eliminate the killing to avoid total extinction of our rhino, with other species not far behind as ultimate targets.