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Ivan Zhakata in HWANGE
The Government has opened Hwange National Park’s first modern-era ranger station, establishing a permanent base to prevent wildlife crime and safeguard communities in the remote southern region of the iconic animal sanctuary.
The US$500 000 base, a milestone project of the US$5 million five-year conservation agreement between International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks), puts rangers at the centre of what was once a wildlife poaching hotspot.
Makona is now a fully-fledged permanent ranger base covering over 5 000km2 southern section of Hwange National Park which shares a long and open boundary with both communal lands and neighbouring Botswana.
The base station includes an administration block, operations centre, recreational facility, and 12 housing units accommodating more than 24 rangers and their families.
It is situated approximately 15 kilometres from the Tsholotshlo community, which enables rangers to swiftly respond to incidents of human-wildlife conflict.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North Province Richard Moyo said they welcome developmental initiatives which contributes to the attainment of Vision 2030.
Minister Moyo said the Makoma rangers base station will go a long way in mitigating human-wildlife conflict in the area.
“We want a win-win situation where people will be living in harmony with animals because the people on the ground now know the benefits of wildlife conservation,” he said.
“This new facility will enable a quick reaction to human-wildlife conflicts as Makona has the highest number such cases. Vulnerable groups cannot continue to suffer through living with animals.
“We are not leaving anyone behind and let us ensure that everyone is included in this facility. We also want to make sure that Zimbabwe will sustain it’s position as a world leader in animal conservation.”Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi thanked IFAW for partnering ZimParks in establishing a rangers base in Makona village, which is housed inside Hwange National Park.
“We are more that grateful to have IFAW as a partner and what we have witnessed here is testimony of our relationship. We must work together with the to protect human life as well as animals,” she said.
Azzedine Downes, IFAW president and chief executive said they were happy to partner ZimParks on establishing the base.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this achievement together with ZimParks. It is a testament to a mutual, long-term commitment to protecting and preserving biodiversity, grounded in a partnership to deliver transformational change for people, wildlife, and the natural environment.”
Dr Fulton Mangwanya, Director-General of ZimParks said: “The IFAW-ZimParks partnership has transformed a large part of Hwange National Park resulting in zero incidents of elephant poaching in the Makona area and the wider park over the last three years.”
In 2013, cyanide poisoning killed 300 elephants and other wildlife in the southern part of Hwange National Park near Makona.
The new ranger base station is expected to transform and sustain the area as a haven for wildlife.
To date, the IFAW-ZimParks partnership has invested more than US$3,5 million in the Hwange-Matetsi-Zambezi landscape.
These funds have gone towards combating wildlife crime, ranger welfare, park management (improving infrastructure; game water management), tourism development, wildlife rescue, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
Online Reporter