ANTI-POACHING OPERATIONS CENTRE OPENS IN CHEWORE SAFARI AREA

By Martin Chemhere

A new Strategic Anti-Poaching Operations Centre in Chewore Safari Area was recently officially handed over to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority by Japanese Ambassador, Toshiyuki Iwado. This crucial facility will significantly bolster the Authority’s capacity to combat poaching and protect this vital MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) site.

Funded by the Government of Japan, with ongoing support from the European Union, the centre enhances area management’s ability to counter the illegal killing of elephants. Chewore Safari Area, a World Heritage Site, provides refuge for large mammal populations, particularly on its flood plains. However, it faces a constant threat from poaching, with elephants under increasing pressure in recent years.

The centre improves surveillance and poaching prevention by enabling better planning and management of ranger patrols. The Government of Japan contributed USD 60,000 to establish the centre, which has been operational since October 2017. “Today we are witnessing an initiative that demonstrates the importance of collaborative work. This facility we are celebrating today plays an important role in easing patrol operations in the sub-region”, stated Arthur Musakwa, Director Conservation of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

The Tashinga Initiative Trust, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, led the construction of the centre and has been implementing EU-funded MIKES project activities in the area since 2015. This collaborative effort demonstrates a strong commitment to protecting Zimbabwe’s valuable wildlife heritage.