In 2009 Mander traveled to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe to escape the death and destruction he had seen in Iraq. After learning about poaching in Southern Africa and the criminal networks that used military equipment and tactics to poach for profit, Mander was convinced that his specialised military skills, personal finances, and experience could contribute significantly to wildlife protection and conservation. Working as a volunteer with an anti-poaching unit in the Zambezi National Park, Mander gained first-hand experience of anti-poaching work and the effect of poaching on wildlife. He began writing training packages that would later form the basis of the IAPF's ranger training course.
International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF)
Using his life savings and funds raised from the liquidation of his investment properties acquired through nine years of military service and private military employment, Mander founded the International Anti-Poaching Foundation 2009. He personally funded the start-up and initial running costs, built a ranger training academy at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and bought a two-seater aircraft as well as vehicles for anti-poaching work. At the IAPF, Mander has operated in South Africa, Kenya, Australia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, establishing crack anti-poaching units by putting local indigenous forces through specialist tactical training programs. Since 2015, Mander's work has focused on a community-oriented approach to anti-poaching efforts, and introducing local African women into the workforce through the use of wildlife ranger training and positions. He has also provided Ted Talks on his work with the organisation.
Conservation Guardians
Mander is a director of Conservation Guardians, an association that seeks to protect and conserve wildlife.
Media
Mander's anti-poaching and environmentalism work has been featured in National Geographic, Africa Geographic, 60 Minutes, The Guardian Newspaper, BBC, France 24, CBS News, Le Figaro, PBS News, Animal Planet, Al Jazeera, Voice of America, Forbes, Sunday Times, and Good Weekend Magazine. In 2013, Mander gave a presentation about conservation at TEDx Sydney titled "Modern Warrior". Mander featured, both as a narrator and as a cast member, in Unity, a feature-length documentary. The subject of the film focuses on humanity's propensity for apathy and empathy, it is divided into four parts: Body, Mind, Heart and Soul. He has also appeared in the documentaries Vegan 2018, The Game Changers, and Last of the Longnecks. The Game Changers covers his life and advocacy as a vegan.