Source: State-of-the-art facilities commissioned in Hwange, Matetsi to boost conservation efforts – herald
Rutendo Nyeve in Hwange
THE Minister of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, officially commissioned state-of-the-art infrastructure and equipment at Matetsi Unit 5 and Hwange National Park last week, marking a significant step in efforts to reduce human-wildlife conflict and bolster conservation efforts.
Valued at over US$200 000, these projects were implemented by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) in collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
The facilities include a high-tech Operation Centre at Hwange National Park, featuring the EarthRanger system for real-time wildlife tracking and data collection, as well as two modern ranger houses at the Matetsi Unit 5 camp, designed to accommodate eight families.
The camp is also equipped with a 5kV solar system to ensure sustainable energy supply. Minister Ndlovu also presented ranger tents for field deployments and predator-proof bomas to safeguard communities from wildlife encroachment.
The commissioning ceremony was held on Friday at Matetsi Unit 5, where Dr Ndlovu reiterated the Government’s commitment to improving the working and living conditions of rangers while bolstering wildlife management efforts.
She said the dual benefits of the projects will see enhanced ranger welfare and strengthened conservation outcomes.
“The developments that we are witnessing today fulfil some of our goals as the Government. One of the goals is to make sure that the workers employed by ZimParks and the ministry are comfortable with their families at their work stations
“I have just commissioned houses here in Matetsi Unit 5 camp. Yesterday, I officially commissioned a fully equipped hi-tech Operation Centre at the Hwange National Park main camp,” she said.
Minister Ndlovu said the new Operation Centre plays a critical role in mitigating human-wildlife conflict, a persistent challenge in communities bordering wildlife areas.
“These facilities will ensure effective wildlife management, particularly on human-wildlife conflict mitigation. The Operation Centre will enable us to detect elephants encroaching into communities, respond promptly and issue early warnings to residents,” she said.
She called for the replication of such initiatives across the country.
The handover of ranger tents and predator-proof bomas marked another milestone in safeguarding both rangers and local communities.
The tents will shelter rangers during field deployments, protecting them from harsh weather and wildlife threats. Meanwhile, the predator-proof bomas will shield livestock from attacks, reducing tensions between communities and wildlife.
“As Government, together with our partners, worker welfare is our top priority. As such, I am handing over tents to ensure our rangers are comfortable in the field. They need to be protected from bad weather and wildlife,” she said.
The projects align with IFAW’s Room to Roam initiative, which focuses on creating connected landscapes for wildlife, particularly elephants, to move freely between protected areas. Matetsi Unit 5 is a critical corridor for elephants migrating between Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park in Botswana, both part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA).
The partnership between ZimParks and IFAW has already yielded significant results in Matetsi, with over US$1 million invested in law enforcement, community conservation initiatives and ecological restoration.
This includes the procurement of patrol vehicles and support for alternative livelihoods for local communities.
IFAW Zimbabwe director Mrs Alleta Nyahuye spoke on the importance of collaboration in addressing conservation challenges.
“Matetsi is an important area for promoting elephant connectivity. This is why IFAW and ZimParks work so closely to address key conservation challenges in this landscape.
“Our vision is one of resilience — where a thriving wildlife population delivers lasting benefits to local communities,” she said.
The commissioning of the new infrastructure sets a precedent for future conservation projects in Zimbabwe.
By integrating technology, such as the EarthRanger system, with improved ranger welfare and community-focused solutions, the initiatives demonstrate a holistic approach to wildlife management.
As Zimbabwe continues to fight with human-wildlife conflict, the success of the Matetsi and Hwange projects offers a blueprint for scalable solutions.
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