Tourism and Environment

Zimbabwe says its elephants becoming a danger to themselves

Published

4 years ago

November 11, 2021

BY TICHAONA CHIFAMBA

Zimbabwe’s elephants are slowly becoming a danger unto themselves as they continue to destroy their own habitat as well as that of other wild animals, a wildlife official has said.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said the situation was becoming untenable in areas such as Hwange in western Zimbabwe where huge swathes of vegetation were being lost to the growing elephant population.

Zimbabwe’s elephant population is estimated to be more than 100 000, more than double its ecological carrying capacity of about 45 000, according to conservationists.

It boasts of about a quarter of the continent’s elephant population and the second-highest in the world after Botswana.

This is due to the country’s robust conservation measures which have protected the critically endangered species.

But such measures are now literally coming back to haunt the authorities as the habitats can no longer sustain the growing numbers.

“The elephants are slowly becoming a danger unto themselves. They are destroying their habitat and that of other animals. Go to Hwange National Park and you will think that someone has been deliberately razing down the trees,” he told Xinhua.

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said in May 2021 that the government was considering culling the elephants to save the habitat.

However, some international conservationists have frowned upon the idea.

Farawo said these conservationists should leave their offices abroad and come to Zimbabwe to see what is prevailing on the ground.

To sustain its conservation efforts, Zimbabwe also wants to raise funds through the sale of ivory, but the conservationists fear that this will open floodgates for poaching.

“We’re battling an ever-increasing population of animals. They can come and see for themselves how our people are coping. We must be allowed to benefit from our resources. These are the issues we have to deal with,” he said.

The country last culled elephants in 1988 and continues to have stockpiles of ivory which it cannot sell because of restrictions from the Convention on International Trade in Endangers Species (CITES).

President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2019 implored CITES to allow it to sell its $600-million worth ivory stockpile, but the plea fell on deaf ears, prompting the country to consider pulling out of the convention.

Another option to deal with over-population would be to translocate some of the elephants from densely populated parks to those which can sustain higher populations.

However, the exercise is costly and given that there are other conflicting social needs in society, funding for such an exercise would be difficult to find, Farawo said.

“The last time we carried out such a translocation of 100 elephants it cost us about half a million US dollars,” he said.

Apart from the destruction of habitat, elephants are also leading in incidences of human and wildlife conflict.

Farawo said almost 60 people had died from such conflicts since the beginning of 2021, with elephants and crocodiles accounting for more than 90 percent of the cases.

He warned that the situation could get worst at this time of the year because the elephants would move out of their natural habitat in search of water and food.

“We are at the peak of the dry season and elephants stray into nearby communities. Interaction with them in such cases can be fatal,” he said. –Xinhua

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Tourism bill clears National Assembly, moves to Senate

Published

2 weeks ago

March 26, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Zimbabwe’s Tourism Act Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Assembly and now awaits debate in the Senate, marking a key step towards overhauling the country’s tourism sector.

According to the explanatory memorandum, “This Bill seeks to establish a Zimbabwe Tourism Authority that is responsible for the regulation for the tourism and hospitality industry, and the marketing of destination Zimbabwe.”

The proposed law strengthens the role of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), which will regulate, license and promote the industry. It also introduces stricter compliance measures for tourism operators.

Under the new provisions, registration and grading of facilities will be mandatory. The Bill states: “no person shall conduct or operate that designated tourist facility unless it is registered and graded.”

Authorities will also have enforcement powers, including shutting down non-compliant operators.

The legislation further extends regulation to online accommodation platforms, a growing segment in the tourism sector. It stipulates that: “All hosts must register with the Authority… before listing a property on an accommodation booking platform.”

To support industry growth, the Bill proposes the creation of a dedicated fund. It notes: “There is hereby established a fund to be known as the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund,” which will be used for “the development and promotion of the tourism and hospitality industry.”

Sustainability and inclusivity are also central to the new law. The Bill provides that: “All tourism policies, programs, and projects shall incorporate the principles of sustainable development.”

It further emphasises inclusion, stating that tourism development must mainstream “gender equality, disability inclusion, and the rights of indigenous peoples.”

Once enacted, the law will replace the current Tourism Act. The Bill clearly states it seeks “to repeal the Tourism Act [Chapter 14:20].”

The Bill now proceeds to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to debate its provisions before it can be sent for presidential assent.

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MP probes Binga tourism, climate and conservation plans

Published

2 weeks ago

March 25, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

Binga South legislator, Fanuel Cumanzala has called for clarity on tourism development and environmental protection in the Zambezi Valley.

In a parliamentary hearing, Cumanzala asked the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife:

“The plans the Ministry has in place to develop and promote tourism in Binga District, particularly around the Zambezi River, in order to enhance local economic development and create employment opportunities for residents.”

He added:

“The programmes being implemented to ensure that local communities in Binga District directly benefit from tourism.”

Further questions focused on sustainability and climate resilience:

“What measures are in place to ensure the protection and sustainable management of natural tourism assets in the Zambezi Valley, including wildlife, rivers and forests, in order to prevent environmental degradation.”

“The efforts being made to combat poaching in the Zambezi Valley, particularly in Binga District, and how local communities are being involved in wildlife protection initiatives.”

“The climate adaptation strategies being implemented to assist communities in Binga District in coping with droughts, floods, and other climate-related challenges affecting the Zambezi Valley.”

No ministerial responses were recorded.

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Three painted dogs killed along Hwange highway as conservationists raise alarm

Published

2 weeks ago

March 23, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Conservationists have raised fresh concern over wildlife safety along the busy Bulawayo–Victoria Falls highway after three endangered African wild dog were killed in separate incidents within a week.

In a statement, Painted Dog Conservation confirmed that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were struck and killed by a vehicle overnight within the Hwange landscape.

“We are heartbroken to share that two pups from the Umkhonto pack were killed overnight after being struck by a vehicle along the Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road,” the organisation said on Saturday.

The group said the pack had been safely escorted across a nearby road earlier, but is believed to have been disturbed by lions during the night, forcing them to move again toward the highway where the accident occurred.

“Despite constant monitoring and intervention, moments like this remind us how fragile their survival can be,” the organisation added.

The deaths bring to three the number of painted dogs killed along the same highway corridor in less than a week, with another animal reportedly struck closer to Victoria Falls.

Conservationists warned that the loss goes beyond individual animals, highlighting the species’ already fragile population.

“It’s not ‘just three dogs’. These three could have become alphas and been responsible for producing over 300 dogs through their offspring and subsequent generations,” the statement read.

Highway poses growing threat to wildlife

The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls road, which cuts through key wildlife areas including parts of Hwange National Park, has long been flagged as a danger zone for animals.

The highway is a major tourism and freight route linking Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, carrying heavy traffic volumes that include haulage trucks, buses, and self-drive tourists—many travelling at high speeds, particularly at night.

Wildlife frequently crosses this corridor as it bisects natural habitats and migration routes, bringing animals such as elephants, lions and painted dogs into direct conflict with vehicles.

Conservation groups have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of speed limits, improved signage, and traffic calming measures in wildlife zones, especially at night when visibility is poor and animal movement increases.

Calls for action

Painted Dog Conservation urged motorists to slow down and remain vigilant when driving through wildlife areas.

“We urge all road users to slow down—especially at night—and call on authorities to strengthen and enforce speed reduction measures in wildlife areas. Their survival depends on it.”

The deaths come amid growing concern over human-wildlife conflict in Matabeleland North, where expanding infrastructure and traffic volumes continue to put pressure on endangered species.