US$50m deal to boost Hwange National Park

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks)’s efforts to champion sustainable wildlife conservation received a boost after the parastatal signed a 25-year US$50 million partnership with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw) for conservation activities in Hwange National Park.

The agreement comes at a time when Government is satisfied with the existing five-year partnership between the two organisations that has seen Zimparks benefiting from more than US$2 million investment from Ifaw since 2019.

The 25-year partnership will further enhance anti-poaching activities and capacitate ranger services. Through the existing deal, Zimparks has constructed a full-service ranger base Makona Camp in Hwange National Park, rehabilitated roads in the park, enhanced conservation and community activities, set up a veterinary surgery at Mtshibi Camp and beefed up its vehicle fleet.

Hwange National Park is a key part of the Kavango-Zambezi-Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), forming an integral part of IFAW’s room-to-roam initiative to secure landscapes and maintain connectivity for elephants and other wildlife.

The park is more than 14 square kilometres in area and is Zimbabwe’s largest national park.
IFAW vice-president for Global Programmes and Institutional Giving Mr Jimmiel Mandima said the new funding is with immediate effect.

“The revised agreement begins immediately and commits our partnership to a further 25 years with an expected investment of about US$50 million over that time. It’s a vote of confidence in our joint achievements and extends our vital work to secure Hwange NP (national park) by significantly increasing Ifaw’s investment in wildlife security, conservation, management, community development and tourism development,” he said.

Mr Mandima said the partnership will benefit both parties, enabling each to learn from the expertise and experiences of the other.

The new agreement will be focused on the Main Camp Management Area of Hwange National Park where Zimparks has also been renovating its lodges. — @ncubeleon.