Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) has launched a solar-powered and computerised anti-poaching reaction camp in the Zambezi Valley near Mana Pools to minimise poaching in the surrounding wildlife sanctuaries.

Zivaru Reaction Camp is strategically located for rangers to easily access wildlife-rich national parks such as Matusadona, Mana Pools, and others.

Zimparks Public Relations Manager, Tinashe Farawo, says wildlife is one of the major pillars of tourism anywhere in the world. “We will continue to work toward ensuring that wildlife in the country is safe from poachers. The camp is electronically linked with numerous other camps, as well as rangers on patrol. From this camp, rangers can also monitor what’s happening in the field in real time and intervene or advise if need be. Rangers on the ground can also communicate with officers at the camp whenever the need arises, for instance, if they need reinforcement or any other form of assistance in their anti-poaching endeavours. We hope to drastically reduce poaching activities with this endeavour.”

Farawo says Zimparks is open to partner with players in the anti-poaching initiative.

Zivaru is within the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), a biodiversity-rich, functional ecosystem under the management of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe and their local communities. Lion, buffalo, zebra, hippo, kudu, and elephant are some of the animals in the KAZA area, and are major drawcards for tourists.