Story by Providence Maraneli
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) is collaborating with local farmers and conservation partners to implement non-lethal methods to reduce human-wildlife conflict in Gwanda and Beitbridge districts.
The peripheral areas of Gwanda and Beitbridge, which include Whunga, Tshokotshoko, Nhwali, Sithakeni, Sinayi and Patana, have for long been under siege from marauding elephants, which are threatening what was supposed to be a good 2025 -26 summer cropping season.
For the communities, life has become unbearable as they are forced to sleep in the fields to salvage the little that has been left by the elephants. As a solution, the Zimparks is now training communities to produce Chilli blocks to deter animals.
“We have been struggling, every year we lose crops, but with this method, I think we can protect our fields. We are happy that the method involves the use of readily available resources. We thank Zimparks for listening to our cries,” community members said.
Headman Mazibedi said the initiative gives communities a tool to defend their livelihoods.
“Our community now has something to defend itself against elephants. The onus is now on us to implement the methods,” he said.
Officials say human-wildlife conflict continues to pose a threat not only to food security but also to the general wellbeing of rural communities in the affected districts.
Samuel Sibanda, the CAMPFIRE officer for the Beitbridge Rural District Council, emphasised the importance of coexistence between communities and wildlife.
“When we talk about Beitbridge and Gwanda districts, we also include the elephants. They belong to us and we should learn to live with them. The methods being introduced will help the community manage that relationship,” he said.
Manager for the Thuli Safari Area, Martin Chimwe, said the approach promotes conservation while safeguarding livelihoods.
“We are introducing a method that uses locally available resources and encourages farmers to protect their fields in a way that is also conservation-friendly,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Omphile Marupi said local leadership had worked with ZimParks to identify solutions to reduce crop losses.
“As Members of Parliament for Gwanda South and Gwanda-Tshitaudze, we are working to help communities prevent losses and preserve their crops. Engaging ZimParks led to the introduction of the chilli block method as one of the solutions,” he said.
Chilli blocks are an innovative, non-lethal deterrent made by mixing elephant dung, used oil and chilli powder into bricks. When burned, the blocks release a pungent smoke that repels elephants from nearby fields.
