ZimParks takes measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts

Ivan Zhakata

recently in BINGA

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) is taking proactive steps to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in vulnerable communities.

Through awareness campaigns, ZimParks is educating people about animal behaviours to promote coexistence. Recently, ZimParks signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Defend, a renowned wildlife rescue organisation, to safeguard wildlife and ensure sustainable biodiversity. In an interview, ZimParks director-general Dr Fulton Mangwanya said the partnership will go a long way in increasing wildlife campaigns.

“We have got a solid department of awareness campaigns which educates the communities on how to deal with animals,” he said,

“Each animal has its unique behaviour and communities should know how to behave when they meet those animals. We are providing water in the parks so that the animals will not trespass into human settlements looking for water.

“These are some of the things that we are doing but you know if the animals are a problem we end up eliminating some because some of these animals whether you behave or not will attack you.”

Dr Mangwanya said that although human/wildlife is on the rise in most communities due to the El Nino induced drought, they are on top of the situation.

“In places where there are local authorities we are going there to help them but there are the ones who are supposed to react first, at times we have to come in because they lack resources which is understandable and this is what we are doing all over.”