Zimbabwe

Our work

Wildlife populations in Zimbabwe are declining due to consecutive droughts, habitat loss, illegal hunting for wild meat and trade in wildlife products. In addition, human-wildlife conflict poses many challenges for rural communities. To address these issues, the SWM Programme is helping establish community conservancies to improve land-use planning and wildlife management by local communities.
In Binga District, Matabeleland North Province, the SWM Programme is working with traditional chiefs, local communities, and government authorities to create the Mucheni Community Conservancy. The goal is to reduce conflicts and promote co-existence between local communities and wildlife by introducing affordable and appropriate technologies to protect livestock and crops, and supporting water and livestock management practices that diversify livelihoods and income sources.

Who we work with

The SWM Programme works with 14 000 people in the three chiefdoms of Sinampande, Sinakoma and Sinansengwe. Field activities are coordinated by the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) in collaboration with the national government.


Output1

Output 1: Community rights and governance

The SWM Programme’s legal analysis contributed to the review of the Parks and Wildlife Amendment bill and will support the reform of the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Policy and alignment of the Forest Act and Communal Land and Forest Produce Act to the Forest Policy. A key focus has been on providing for community conservancies, which devolve management of wildlife to communities. The SWM Programme Legal Hub is used in government veterinary training courses, and over 200 people have been trained in conservancy-related legal matters.

 

Output2

Output 2: Adaptive wildlife management

Wildlife management activities in the Mucheni Community Conservancy include:

  • Resource monitoring: A robust monitoring system was established with 18 Natural Resource Monitors who have completed hundreds of anti-poaching patrols.
  • Wildlife translocations: Impalas, kudus, and zebras have been translocated to the conservancy, boosting wildlife numbers.
  • Human-wildlife conflict mitigation: Farmer Field Schools are raising awareness and equipping communities with practical tools to reduce human-wildlife conflict. 
Output3

Output 3: Healthy and sustainable supply chains and consumption

A major focus has been on enhancing livestock production to improve food security, increase household incomes and reduce wildlife poaching. A successful goat breeding programme, which introduced Boer and Kalahari Red bucks to the region, has benefitted 3 800 households. Other activities include finding new markets to sell livestock, rehabilitating dip tanks and races to improve livestock health, and increasing honey production with new beehives. 

 

Output4

Output 4: Zoonotic risk prevention and management

A community surveillance system is being set up to monitor zoonotic risks that could impact local communities, wildlife and domestic animals. This aligns with a broader effort to integrate a One Health community-based surveillance into the national animal and zoonotic disease surveillance system, coordinated by the Department of Veterinary Services and its partners. 

Zimbabwe Legal Hub

Country legal hubs are a user-friendly point of access to a comprehensive set of data and analysis on the statutory legal frameworks relating to sustainable wildlife management.

Publications

Videos

Goat is Gold; Levia’s story
01/08/2024

Watch this video to experience a typical day in the life of Levia, a community goat breeder and farmer in Binga District, Matabeleland North Province,...

Dedicated to wildlife and her community; Chipo’s latest story
01/08/2024

Watch this video to experience a typical day in the life of Chipo, a young community wildlife enthusiast who is working in Binga District, Matabeleland...

Chipo: Following a passion for wildlife and community development
16/05/2023

Watch this video to experience a typical day in the life of Chipo, a young community natural resource monitor who is working in the planned Mucheni...

Supporting community and wildlife coexistence in Southern Africa
24/02/2023

The Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area is one of the largest conservation areas in the world, spanning the international borders...

Shupa: Improving livelihoods and reducing conflict with wildlife in Zimbabwe
18/11/2021

Shupa is an inspiring farmer who is trying to improve agricultural practices and wildlife conservation in the Mucheni, northern Zimbabwe. Shupa’s community...

Supported by

Consortium partners

ACP logo     European Union logo     FFEM logo  AFD logo  
FAO logo       CIFOR-ICRAF logo           WCS logo

 

Contact us

 

©2025 FAO, CIRAD, CIFOR-ICRAF and WCS. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union. The information on this portal is provided for the convenience of users. Hence, FAO, CIRAD, CIFOR and WCS are not responsible for its accuracy, nor for any use of such information by users. See full disclaimer.