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IFAW boosts fight against wildlife crime with new K9 unit and vehicles

Published

6 months ago

November 27, 2024

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) has handed over new houses for dog handlers and two Land Cruiser vehicles to the dedicated K9 unit rangers at Zambezi National Park and Matetsi Unit 5.

At the ceremony held on Tuesday, Alleta Nyahuye, IFAW Zimbabwe’s director, handed over the keys to two brand-new Land Cruisers to Dr. Fulton Mangwanya, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’ director general before touring the houses.

At the Zambezi camp, the K9 houses initiative includes the use of detection dogs, training of the handlers and the establishment of K9 operating procedures working with their partners.

Nyahuye emphasized: “We also handed over two patrol vehicles valued at a US$100 000, this is significantly aid the fight against wildlife crime, enabling teams to respond more quickly and enhance their operations in the Matetsi landscape.”

The homes were built through the partnership between ZimParks and IFAW.

Nyahuye noted: “These homes symbolise our gratitude for the K9 team’s incredible efforts to protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife.”

Dr. Mangwanya officiated the event and appreciated the work done by IFAW.

He said: “It will (also) allow the continuous trainings and support needed by the K9 units as a way of increasing and strengthening wildlife protection in other potential areas.”

Dr. Mangwanya highlighted the significance of the K9 unit: “The establishment of this K9 facility signifies our deep commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our K9 and blue tick dogs in tracking poachers who have become increasingly sophisticated in their anti-tracking methods where they are actually using silencers and infrared lenses and they can actually see at night.”

IFAW will today handle over 100 bicycles to students living around Hwange National Park as a way to mitigate human wildlife conflicts.

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

3 weeks ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.

In the community

Human-wildlife conflict claims 18 lives in Zimbabwe’s first quarter

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has reported a disturbing trend of human-wildlife conflict in the country’s first quarter of 2025. According to the authority, 18 people have lost their lives, and 32 others have been injured in encounters with wildlife.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo revealed that the authority received 579 cases of human-wildlife conflict, which they managed to respond to promptly. The incidents have also resulted in significant livestock losses, with at least 53 cattle and 85 goats killed by wildlife.

The districts most affected by these incidents include Binga, Hwange, Kariba, Chiredzi, Hurungwe, Nyaminyami, and Mbire. ZimParks has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about wildlife behaviors and effective preventive measures in these areas.

In response to the crisis, ZimParks has translocated 129 animals back into protected areas and eliminated 158 animals deemed problematic.

“We encourage communities to continue reporting incidents to ZimParks Problem Animal Control numbers and local leadership, such as Councillors, Traditional Leaders, and Rural District Council Authorities, to ensure that we preserve lives,” Farawo urged.

The significant increase in livestock losses, with cattle deaths rising from 18 to 53 and goat deaths from 21 to 85 compared to the same period in 2024, highlights the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict in Zimbabwe.

ZimParks’ efforts to mitigate the conflict include community initiatives to educate people on managing wildlife encounters effectively.