Major Boost For ZIMPARKS Conservation Work

IN a bid to enhance antipoaching work in the Zambezi Valley, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), has handed over a fully refurbished vehicle workshop, a brand-new Toyota Hilux Twin Cab GD6, one Sport Fisher, one Pelican boat and newly established infrastructure at the Zambezi River Specialized Anti-Poaching Unit (ZARSAU) D Camp, to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks).

By Michael Gwarisa in Chirundu

The donated vehicle will be used by the Zimparks Investigations Unit for activities within the Zambezi Valley landscape while the refurbished Marongora Vehicle workshop will offer maintenance to all vehicles used in the conservation work by Zimparks. The infrastructure at the ZARSAU D Camp comprise of the Officer-In-Charge of the Camp’s house, one office block, one entertainment centre, and four Ranger houses.

In his acceptance speech, Zimparks Director General, Dr Fulton Mangwanya said the AWF has been unwavering in their support to the Zimparks and conservation work in the country.

The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is indebted to your continuous and unconditional support which has yielded positive outcomes for conservation in the Zambezi Valley and beyond. Our relationship is growing from strength to strength since way back in the 90s.

“I am also aware of the great support the Global Environmental Facility (GEF 6 ) as it is the same landscape where we are implementing the Zambezi Valley Biodiversity Project with support from UNDP, We are also aware of the footprints of the Zambezi Society, Tashinga Initiative, Zambezi Elephant Fund, Bushlife Support Unit, African Bush Camps, Kariba Animal Welfare Fund, Rhino Force,  Great Plains, Big Five Safaris, Suscaden, Flying For Wildlife and many others that I cannot enumerate to completion for the sake of time,” said Dr Mangwanya.

He added that refurbishment of the Marongora new workshop and the donation of a brand-new Toyota Hilux Twin Cab GD6 by the AWF was part of the ongoing support from CITES MIKE program through AWF as the implementing partner. He added that they have already received three new SUV Toyota Landcruisers for conservation support amongst other different types of support.

“The resuscitation, refurbishment and retooling of the Marongora vehicle workshop comes at no better time than now when the Region has received and acquired significant numbers of operational vehicles and equipment. These vehicles and equipment require constant services and repairs for prolonged life span during use. It is no hidden fact that the costs of offering these services through private workshops demand huge budgets from Zimparks.”

Meanwhile, Olivia Mufute, the AWF Country Director said AWF has been working at these
projects since 2017 and has also been collaborating with Zimparks and other 
government authorities to make sure all the projects come to fruition.

“This equipment is not just nice to look at, it will richly enhance the antipoaching work in the Zambezi Valley and play a key role in securing Zimbabwe’s natural resources. The boats will ensure that poachers can no longer use the Zambezi River as trafficking highway, the vehicles and the vehicle workshop will ensure that rangers are able to be quickly dispatched to duty stations and conduct their security patrols, the office block, entertainment centre, ranger houses and the OIC’s house are all to ensure the comfort of ZIMPARKS personnel as they discharge their duties,” said Mufute.

This African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is this year celebrating its 60th Anniversary. The organisation also recently developed a new ten-year strategy with Zimbabwe as one of its focal and priority countries.

“The AWF Strategy is in line with the Government of Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy NDS1 with a vision for Zimbabwe to be an upper middle economy country by 2030.We also want to take this opportunity to underscore our long- term support for biodiversity conservation and economic development in order to help Zimbabwe achieve her development goals.”