When we first heard about the Black Mambas -- an elite team of women working to stop poachers on the Balule Private Game Reserve in South Africa -- it was pretty much love at first sight (Lady gangs + animals = literal hearts in our eyes).

So imagine how excited we were to see that the United Nations gave them their 'Champions of the Earth' award in their "Inspiration and Action" category for all the work they've done to protect the rhino population on the reserve.

“Community-led initiatives are crucial to combatting the illegal wildlife trade, and the Black Mambas highlight the importance and effectiveness of local knowledge and commitment," Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Achim Steiner said in a news release. “Their many successes are a result of their impressive courage and determination to make a difference in their community. The Black Mambas are an inspiration not only locally, but across the world to all those working to eliminate the scourge of the illegal wildlife trade.”

Damn straight, they're an inspiration. The UN says that since 2013 the mambas have "helped arrest six poachers, reduced snaring by 76 percent, removed over 1,000 snares and put 5 poachers' camps and 2 bush meat kitchens out of action."

Along with these very real results, they've also worked to educate everyone they can on the beauty of the South African rhino population and why it's so important to conserve them and the rest of the protected animals on the Balule Reserve. Working without weapons, they show just how badass a group of women on a mission can be.

“With every rhino saved, the Black Mambas demonstrate that action on a local level is critical to achieving global sustainability and equity,” Steiner said.

Rock on Mambas! Please never ever stop.