Zinyange Auntony is an independent multimedia journalist who has covered important stories in Zimbabwe & South Africa, also has a growing interest in telling under reported stories in Africa.

Heartbreak in Zimbabwe park: elephants' desperate hunt for water

21 Dec 2023  |  phys.org  |  English  |  Climate Change

Over 110 elephants have died in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park due to an extended drought, with rangers struggling to manage the crisis. The park, home to over 45,000 elephants, faces severe water shortages exacerbated by climate change and overpopulation. The drought has forced elephants to venture dangerously close to human settlements in search of water, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable conservation efforts.

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Zimparks Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

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Nyasha Chingono is a journalist based in Harare. He is contributor for Reuters, The Guardian and France 24. Has in the past written for CNN Africa, Zimbabwe Independent among others .

Dozens of Zimbabwe elephants die as climate change dries up Hwange park

08 Dec 2023  |  101.9 Jack FM  |  English  |  Wildlife Conservation

Dozens of elephants in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park have died of thirst due to a drought exacerbated by climate change and the El Nino weather pattern. The park, which lacks a major river, depends on solar-powered boreholes for water. With an elephant population of 45,000 and each requiring 200 liters of water daily, the current water sources are insufficient. Park officials have observed increased elephant deaths and migration to Botswana in search of water. Conservation efforts include desilting watering holes and enhancing solar well pumps. Zimbabwe's elephant population is nearly 100,000, but the parks can only support half, leading to overcrowding and increased vulnerability.

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Zimparks Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authorities

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Lulu Brenda Harris is a journalist based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Lulu reports on news analysis, politics, health, development and sustainability. She is an innovative thinker with a keen interest on trends taking place in the creative destructive era.

farayi Machamire is a journalist.

Zim threaten to pull out of CITES, activists warn pulling out will be disastrous

03 Oct 2023  |  Zim Morning Post  |  English  |  Environmental Policy

Zimbabwe threatens to exit CITES due to frustrations over restrictions on ivory and rhino horn sales, which they argue hinder conservation funding. Environment Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu emphasizes Zimbabwe's strong stance and limited options, while activists warn that leaving CITES could lead to increased illegal wildlife trade and poaching. Zimbabwe plans to host a summit to garner support for their position ahead of the next CITES meeting. The article highlights the tension between Zimbabwe's conservation funding needs and international wildlife trade regulations.

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ZimParks CITES UN

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Tendai Marima is a multimedia journalist based in Harare, Zimbabwe. She has worked for a range of international publications including Al Jazeera, the New York Times, Foreign Policy and NPR. She is also a fellow of the NEWF based in South Africa and a member of Fairpicture and the Everyday Projects....

The Brewing Battle Over Africa’s Ivory

12 Jun 2022  |  Foreign Policy  |  English  |  Poaching

Southern African countries are lobbying to sell stored ivory, facing opposition from East and West African nations and animal rights groups. The debate centers on whether to allow a one-off sale to fund conservation efforts or to maintain a ban to prevent poaching. Zimbabwe and Namibia argue that selling ivory will reduce poaching and fund conservation, while opponents fear it will increase illegal activities. The article discusses the financial struggles of conservation programs, the impact of past ivory sales, and alternative funding methods like carbon offsets.

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ZimParks CITES African Elephant Coalition Southern African Development Community Elephant Protection Initiative International Fund for Animal Welfare

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Mary Mundeya is a journalist based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

2020 award winner of Tusk Wildlife Ranger in Africa, Amos Gwema in wildlife conservation drive

01 Oct 2023  |  shecorrespondsafrica.com  |  English  |  Anti-Poaching

Amos Gwema, the 2020 Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award winner, has initiated a wildlife conservation drive in Matopo, Zimbabwe, to combat poaching and wildlife crime. The initiative included a Netball and Soccer Tournament to engage the community and change attitudes towards conservation. The event, supported by Tusk UK and the International Elephant Foundation, saw significant community participation, especially from women. Gwema emphasized the importance of community involvement and collaboration with various government and non-governmental organizations. The initiative was well-received by villagers, who expressed a desire for ongoing engagement and highlighted the benefits of working together to protect wildlife and the environment.

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ZimParks Matopo National Park IFAW Bhejane Trust Save the Rhino Foundation Environmental Management Authority

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I am a multi-media freelance journalist working mainly from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with over 18 years’ experience in print and radio journalism. 
I initially pursued a career in teaching, but after an increasing interest in journalism in the
intervening years, I went back to college and graduated ...

Zimbabwean schoolkids cycle past elephant danger

14 Mar 2024  |  Douglas Budget  |  English  |  Education

Children living near a nature reserve in northwest Zimbabwe face dangers from wild animals like elephants and hyenas on their way to school. To mitigate this, park authorities and the International Fund for Animal Welfare have provided bicycles to shorten travel time and reduce exposure to wildlife. The initiative aims to ease tensions between the park and local farming communities, who suffer from wildlife-related injuries and deaths. Conservation efforts have led to a growing elephant population, with Hwange National Park housing 65,000 elephants. Additional measures include setting up predator-proof livestock enclosures and a proposed compensation fund for victims of wildlife.

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ZimParks International Fund for Animal Welfare

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Kovedzayi Takawira is a journalist based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwean Farmers Use Organic Repellent to Guard Crops Against Elephants

05 Apr 2023  |  Solutions Paper  |  English  |  Sustainable Farming

In Hwange, Zimbabwe, farmers like Mildred Mangwana are using an organic repellent to protect their crops from elephants. The repellent, introduced by Tikobane Trust, is made from ingredients like eggs, garlic, ginger, neem leaves, chillies, and cow dung, and has proven effective in deterring elephants. The Hwange National Park, where the community coexists with wildlife, is facing challenges due to drought and an overpopulation of elephants. The repellent, which is expensive to produce, is a community-driven solution supported by WildAid. It is environmentally friendly and does not harm the elephants. However, the increasing elephant population and the high cost of repellent production pose challenges to sustaining this method. The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development in Zimbabwe and ZIMPARKS are also involved in addressing human-wildlife conflicts. Tikobane Trust aims to reduce production costs by growing some ingredients locally.

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Zimbabwe Park and Wildlife Management Authority (ZIMPARKS) Tikobane Trust The SolutionsPaper WildAid Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development African Elephants Database