PROJECTS

Conserving Protected Areas

ZIMBABWE’S PARKS AND WILDLIFE ACT STATES THAT THE PURPOSE OF A NATIONAL PARK IS:

(a) to preserve and protect the natural landscape and scenery therein; and

(b) to preserve and protect wildlife and plants and the natural ecological stability of wildlife and plant communities therein

for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of the public

The Zambezi Society’s Protected Area Conservation Projects are carried out in partnership with and in support of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) – the lead authority for protected area management in Zimbabwe. The aim of this support is to strengthen management and law enforcement operations across ZimParks estate.

Mana Pools National Park is a key focus. The protected area is rich in biodiversity and wilderness values - it is part of the Mana-Sapi-Chewore UNESCO World Heritage Site, a core area of the Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve, a RAMSAR Wetland Site of International Importance, and an Important Bird Area as defined by Birdlife International. The National Park is a “hotspot” destination for safari tourism within the Zambezi Valley and generates important tourism-based revenue.

ANTI-POACHING RANGER PATROLS

Our Protected Area Conservation support focuses on providing and managing resources to assist Zimparks with improving the number, frequency, coverage, and impact of ranger patrols. Resources provided are vehicles, fuel, experienced drivers, anti-poaching trailers, uniforms, patrol supplies & food rations, camping equipment, communication devices, and surveillance equipment (binoculars, night vision goggles, camera traps, drone) etc.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

Improving the infrastructure of the protected area is another key focus of our work within protected areas. We repair and/or develop road networks that are key to deploying and uplifting rangers on patrol. We also establish semi-permanent fly camps in remote parts of protected areas that require strategic ranger presence.

TRAINING

All training programmes run by us are refresher courses for ZimParks rangers and are focused on ensuring ranger safety and high impact on patrols. Training programmes focus on firearm accuracy and safety refresher courses; tracking, ambush, and arrest refresher courses; and basic first aid refresher courses. We also undertake training in data collection via SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool).

Featured

THE BULLETIN - NOV-DEC 2023

Nov-Dec 2023: This year, Zamsoc has continued to provide material and operational assistance to ZimParks in the Charara Safari Area and in Mana Pools. We await more details of the newly-signed Peace Parks/ZimParks co-management agreement for the Greater Mana Ecosystem, and are standing by to collaborate. Thanks to donor support, we helped to complete carnivore surveys in the Zambezi Valley, strengthened our Human-Wildlife Co-existence projects with communities in the Charara-Kariba area, and provided ongoing support for rangers and their families.

THE BULLETIN - JULY 2023

July 2023: We welcome the halt of mining activities at the Zambian Kangaluwi copper mining project opposite the Mana-Sapi-Chewore World Heritage Site and hope that the new Lower Zambezi/Mana Pools Trans-Frontier Conservation agreement will strengthen efforts to combat such threats. We report on our community work, carnivore research, and ongoing support for Zimparks (ranger deployments, food supplies and refurbishments at Marongora School).

THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY OBJECTS - APPLICATION TO PROSPECT FOR OIL & NATURAL GAS IN THE HURUNGWE SAFARI AREA, ZAMBEZI VALLEY

On 19 May 2023, The Zambezi Society filed a formal objection to an application by Shalom Mining Corporation (Pvt Ltd) to prospect for petrolium oil and gas within a large area of the Hurungwe Safari Area in the Zambezi Valley adjacent to the Mana Pools National Park.

THE BULLETIN - FEBRUARY 2023

Jan-Feb 2023: Our first quarterly news for the start of 2023 reports on our strengthened Codes of Conduct for Mana Pools, our anti-poaching assistance to ZimParks, and our help for communities adjacent to Charara to safeguarding livestock against predator attacks. But we are sad to report the loss of two more highly respected conservation colleagues.