Tinashe Farawo, ZimParks Spokesperson
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has announced the successful relocation of 74 large herbivores through a partnership with Matusadona Conservation Trust.
In a statement, ZimParks Spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, said the relocation of the animals, marks an important milestone in the ongoing conservation efforts within Matusadona National Park, in north-western Zimbabwe.
“The Authority is pleased to announce the completion of wildlife translocations that brought 50 African buffalo, 10 common eland from Tsetse Island on Lake Kariba and 14 sable antelope from the Sibilobilo Safari Area (one of the Islands along the Zambezi River) during July 2025.
“Feasibility assessments were done to ensure sustainable conservation of the species.
“These operations present a significant step in the ongoing restoration of one of Zimbabwe’s most important conservation areas.
“Beyond population supplementation, these translocations support broader ecological restoration, reviving graze and browse dynamics, strengthening prey bases, and enhancing ecosystem resilience,” said Farawo.
He added that: “the translocations will help restore the ecological balance of the park, while supporting the broader restoration of the Sebungwe Region in the years to come.”
Farawo also praised the conservation leadership shown by Nyaminyami community, describing it as exceptional.
“The exceptional conservation leadership shown by the Nyaminyami community through a newly ratified Land Use Plan, approved by the Honourable Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing on 29 July, has further strengthened the long term vision for wildlife conservation in the Sebungwe region.
“In a demonstration of technical expertise and collaboration with various key partners to ensure safety of animals at all times, the translocations were carried out by the African Wildlife Management and Conservation (AWMC) and Wildlife Management Services International (WMSI) with support from Matusadona’s Conservation and Veterinarian Unit.
“Local and international donors, including the Global Wildlife Fund, generously donated funding for the translocation,” added Farawo.
