Story by Memory Chamisa
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has reiterated its commitment to ensuring zero poaching and maximum protection of wildlife in national parks.
Deterrent measures and laws have significantly contributed to a successful 2024 for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
Responding to their 2024 legislative report, Zimparks Spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo alluded to the fact that the organisation had recorded wins in combating poaching, especially in north-west Matabeleland centred on Hwange National Park.
He said, “Not a single incident of poaching of high value elephants has been recorded since the past three years. We are working closely with the police and the judiciary to achieve our goal of zero poaching and I want to reiterate and warn members of the public to make sure they are not found in protected areas while armed. We also recovered more than 80 rifles and other ammunition. Over 58 convictions of mandatory sentences were done. We have also managed to recover live pangolins which people are poaching for different reasons. Community engagements have also played a significant role in protecting our wildlife and ensuring perpetrators are brought to book and justice is delivered.”
The year also witnessed the Parks and Wildlife Bill undergoing its second reading before parliament.
The Bill will amend the Parks and Wildlife Act and of note is the establishment of a fund to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict.
Once passed through, the Bill will also establish a nexus between parks, wildlife, climate change and environmental protection such as forests and carbon sequestration, among others.
