Solusi University to pioneer Zimbabwe’s first primate research centre

IN a significant move towards advancing conservation and primate studies, Solusi University is set to establish Zimbabwe’s first-ever primate research centre at its main campus on the outskirts of Bulawayo within the next three months.

This pioneering initiative aims to enhance the understanding of primates and contribute to environmental sustainability, aligning with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1), which emphasises environmental protection as a key pillar of Vision 2030.

Primates are an order of mammals that are characterised by hands and feet that grasp, a relatively large complex brain and vision in which objects are seen in three dimensions and that includes human beings, apes and monkeys.

In an exclusive interview, Solusi University’s director of research, innovation and industrialisation, Dr Lesley Marisa, said the drive to establish the research centre stems from their commitment to contribute to Vision 2030.

“The National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) includes environmental protection as one of its key pillars. There is no targeted plan for managing or conserving primates, despite their impact on the ecosystem and social nature. By setting up the primate research centre, we aim to advance both research and conservation efforts, positioning Zimbabwe at the forefront of primatological studies,” he said.

The research centre is expected to play a crucial role in both conservation and behavioural research, particularly concerning baboons and other primates. It will serve as a natural laboratory for psychological research and biological anthropology, helping scientists develop strategies to mitigate baboon-human conflicts and create ethical policies for working with non-human subjects.

“There will be a natural laboratory for psychological research and biological anthropology at the primate centre. This facility will help develop baboon-human wildlife conflict mitigation strategies and formulate policies that adhere to research ethics and legal standards for working with non-human subjects,” said Dr Marisa.

“The ultimate goal is to integrate faith and science by providing empirical evidence that supports both perspectives and to derive valuable lessons from primate studies such as conflict resolution and social behaviour theories.”

Dr Marisa emphasised the multidisciplinary nature of primate research, stating that it spans fields like bio-technology, physiology, psychology, animal nutrition and environmental management.

“Primate research is inherently multidisciplinary, involving a wide range of fields such as biotechnology, physiology, endocrinology, psychology, animal nutrition, wildlife biology, neuroscience, anthropology, public health, forestry, agriculture, food security, climate change, environmental education and management,” he said.

Dr Marisa said the centre will enable collaborations with international and regional scientists, positioning Zimbabwe at the forefront of primatological studies.

Additionally, the centre will foster collaboration with global bodies like the International Primate Society and the African Primate Society. Later this month, a convention held by the African Primate Society in South Africa will address research issues specific to the African context.

Through this centre, Solusi University students, alongside those from other local institutions, will gain unique research opportunities. The university’s partnership with organisations such as the Zimbabwe Primatological Society and various conservation bodies under the guidance of organisations such as the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) will further strengthen Zimbabwe’s contribution to global primate research.

This ambitious project will also support efforts to manage the ecological challenges posed by primates, particularly in Bulawayo province, where baboons have impacted food security.

“It will provide long-term, collaborative, nature-based solutions to the baboon and monkey challenges affecting the entire country. As Solusi is in the middle of rebuilding, recapitalising and revitalising itself, this primate research centre will be the first in the country to offer comprehensive benefits across all facets of primatology,” said Dr Marisa.

The centre’s holistic approach integrates faith and science, aiming to provide empirical evidence that supports both perspectives, ultimately benefiting both the ecosystem and the surrounding communities.