HCS CHAMPIONING CONSERVATION IN ZIMBABWE: EXPANDING ANTI-POACHING AND SECURING WATER SUPPLY

The Hwange Conservation Society (HCS), a dedicated UK-based charity established in 1992, has significantly ramped up its operational support for wildlife protection and vital water provision in Hwange National Park. The recent initiatives focus heavily on combating rampant poaching and ensuring life-sustaining water sources are available during peak demand hours.

Recognizing that poaching remains an urgent, ongoing threat, the HCS has invested critical funds to strengthen the anti-poaching capabilities of the Bhejane Trust. The strategy focuses on getting “more boots on the ground.”

In recent years, the Society committed to funding the wages of one existing game water scout for another full year. More critically, HCS has provided funds to recruit and fully equip two new anti-poaching scouts, covering their wages for an initial six months and providing essential gear, including uniforms and tents.

The ability to continue supporting the wages of these new scouts beyond the initial six-month period was entirely dependent on sustained fundraising. The HCS always issue appeals to the public: every donation contributes directly to keeping these vital scouts in the field, increasing the likelihood of apprehending poachers and saving wildlife. Readers can always donate directly via the HCS website at www.hwangecons.org.uk.

Some of the pumped waterholes continue to receive consistent support from the HCS and the Bhejane Trust.

A major recent upgrade was the installation of a new battery system at Mahaboti Pan. Solar pumps alone typically operate only between 0830 and 1630 hours. The new battery back-up system is transformative, allowing pumps to operate for longer, critically extending pumping time to 2200 hours. This extension ensures water is available during the peak drinking window between 1700 and 2200, a vital lifeline for thousands of animals.

Further maintenance work has also been crucial, including securing the pipe and meter at the recently installed second borehole at Tsamhole pan. Several days were spent building a protective meter box and conducting flow tests to ensure reliable operation.

The HCS recognizes that effective fieldwork requires robust logistical support. Thanks to an incredibly generous donation from one member, the Society procured four much-needed inverters for the Bhejane Trust. This single donation also covered essential food rations for the Trust’s dedicated staff and crucial fuel for their vehicles.

Maintaining a stock of spare parts, such as couplings, reducers, pumps, motors, and recovery equipment, is essential for rapid response to breakdowns. This stock was recently needed at Mbiza pan when the pump seized, damaging the motor. Replacement parts were swiftly deployed from the HCS-funded spares inventory, allowing the system to be restarted immediately, restoring the critical flow of water.

In addition to water maintenance, HCS has in the past donated £500.00 towards the essential task of maintaining firebreaks across the park and contributed another £500.00 toward the Bhejane Trust’s ongoing fuel costs—which at the time was about 600 litres per month—to keep anti-poaching and monitoring patrols moving.

The Hwange Conservation Society’s work—from sponsoring game water scouts to providing tactical equipment and maintaining water flow—is the backbone of conservation in this region. The Society continues to appeal to the global community to contribute to this essential effort to protect Zimbabwe’s priceless wildlife heritage.