Tourism and Environment

Hwange National Park giraffes population growing steadily

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2023

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Numbers of giraffes in Hwange National Park are said to be currently stable, following years of fears that they may continue decimating due to poaching, climate change and increasing coal mines around the park.

According to Bhejane Trust, a wildlife conservation organisation in Matabeleland North Province, the numbers were confirmed to be steady following a recent research inside the park.

Bhejane said the research project was set up to monitor trends in the giraffe population as giraffe are endangered almost throughout Africa and threatened by competition for food with elephants.

“So far, our data for Sinamatella shows that the giraffe numbers are holding steady and that there are, in fact, more of them than was previously thought. We will, of course, continue to monitor them,” Bhejane wrote on its Facebook page.

Although Bhejane could not reveal the number of giraffes holding the park, Save Girraffes Now, an organisation which embarked on a project to improve the ability of rangers to protect giraffes and other wildlife within Hwange National Park, said giraffes have declined sharply in Hwange over the past 25 years, from over 14 500 to about 1 600.

“The giraffe have been hit hard by direct poaching as well as by specialized snares by poachers to snag giraffes, leading to a slow and agonizing death. These threats are increasing due to coal mines and their settlements being established around the park,” the organisation’s report read.

” However, the remaining giraffes in Hwange represent 20% of the entire giraffe population in Zimbabwe.

As such, we must act NOW to protect these remaining giraffes, and give them the opportunity to thrive, and repopulate Hwange back to their former levels.”

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Zimparks launches elephant culling program

Published

2 days ago

June 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to address the growing elephant population in Save Valley Conservancy, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits for a controlled elephant management exercise.

The exercise, slated to commence shortly, aims to cull an initial 50 elephants from the conservancy, which is currently home to 2,550 elephants – more than three times the ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants.

According to ZimParks, the conservancy has been struggling to cope with the swelling elephant population, which has put a strain on the wildlife habitat and resources. Over the past five years, the conservancy has translocated 200 elephants to other areas, including Hurungwe and Sapi, in an effort to manage the population.

Zimparks says the controlled culling exercise is expected to provide relief to the conservancy’s ecosystem, while also benefiting local communities.

Elephant meat from the exercise will be distributed to local communities while the ivory will be kept by the State.

In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo emphasized the authority’s commitment to responsible and sustainable wildlife management.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our wildlife resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

In the community

Crocodile attacks claim 9 lives, injure 11

Published

3 months ago

March 13, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A surge in crocodile attacks has left a trail of death and destruction in Zimbabwe, with 9 fatalities and 11 injuries reported in the last two months.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), 49 human-crocodile conflict cases were recorded during the same period, resulting in the loss of 44 cattle and 60 goats.

The Mid-Zambezi region, which includes Lake Kariba, Angwa River, and Hunyani River, was the hardest hit, with 19 cases reported. The Central region recorded 14 cases, while 16 cases were reported in other areas, including Matopo, Harare, North-West Matabeleland, and South-East Low-veld.

ZimParks has urged communities to exercise extreme caution, especially around water bodies, during the current rain season. The authority has advised communities to ensure that livestock and children are not left unattended near rivers or lakes, and to take precautions when engaging in water activities such as fishing, swimming, and domestic chores.

To mitigate the situation, ZimParks is working closely with local authorities and conservation partners to raise public awareness and promote safety practices. The authority has emphasized its commitment to finding a balance between ensuring public safety and conserving wildlife.

As the situation continues to unfold, ZimParks has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to report any crocodile sightings or attacks to the authorities.

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Lion found poached in Victoria Falls

Published

3 months ago

March 7, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A disturbing poaching incident has shaken the conservation community in Victoria Falls, with a lion found brutally killed and mutilated.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), a team from the Vic Falls Wildlife Trust was tracking a collared lion when they stumbled upon a gruesome scene.

The poached lion’s flesh had been removed, and its claws and head were missing. However, in a heartening turn of events, a second lion, an adult male, was found caught in a snare but still alive.

Thanks to the swift intervention of veterinary doctors, the second lion was successfully treated and rescued from the snare.

ZimParks has condemned the incident and vowed to work closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We are worried about the increasing cases of lion poaching, and we will continue to work with the Police and other conservation partners to curb this challenge,” said Tinashe Farawo, ZimParks Spokesperson.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of wildlife in the area, with ZimParks rangers and anti-poaching units conducting snare-sweeping patrols to protect the animals.

As the investigation continues, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts are calling for increased efforts to combat poaching and protect Zimbabwe’s precious wildlife heritage.