Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
Conservationist and lawyer, Advocate Ever Vimbayi Chinoda, has been nominated for the prestigious Animal Action Awards in the Women in Conservation category for her pioneering work in wildlife law, rescue and conservation advocacy in Zimbabwe and beyond.
The ceremony will be held at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) Headquarters in London, England, today.
The awards, hosted annually by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, honour individuals and organisations who have made remarkable contributions to animal welfare and conservation across the globe.
Adv Chinoda is the founder and director of Speak Out For Animals.
“I am deeply humbled by this nomination,” she said in a statement.
“It is not just a recognition of my personal efforts, but of every Zimbabwean who has stood up for the voiceless animals that share our environment. This honour belongs to the prosecutors, investigators, and magistrates who have worked tirelessly to ensure that wildlife crime is taken seriously.”
Since establishing Speak Out For Animals in 2017, Adv Chinoda has led efforts to strengthen Zimbabwe’s justice system in dealing with wildlife crimes.
Her organisation has trained 139 prosecutors, 80 investigators and police officers and 20 magistrates in wildlife law.
“We realised early on that winning the fight against wildlife crime begins in the courtroom,” she explained.
“That is why empowering legal practitioners with the right knowledge has been central to our mission.”
Her advocacy has extended into academia and policy.
She introduced wildlife law at the Herbert Chitepo Law School and helped develop a diploma in Wildlife Law and Policy, ensuring that future generations of lawyers understand the importance of conservation law.
In addition, Adv Chinoda authored a Rapid Response Guide on Wildlife Crime for prosecutors and investigators and has lobbied for the establishment of specialised wildlife courts in Zimbabwe.
“We have made great strides, but there is still work to be done,” she said.
“Our wildlife is under constant threat from poaching and trafficking, and we must ensure that our legal systems are robust enough to protect it.”
Adv Chinoda’s work also led to a landmark policy change when she successfully lobbied on behalf of Painted Dog Conservation for the painted dog to be moved from the list of problem animals to a specially protected species.
“That was a proud moment. It showed that advocacy and science can work hand in hand to secure stronger protection for endangered species.”
