Luckmore Safuli, ZimParks Public Relations Manager
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Zimbabwe joins the international community in commemorating World Rhino Day with a renewed pledge to protect rhinoceroses, secure their habitats and safeguard the nation’s wildlife heritage.
World Rhino Day is observed annually on September 22, since 2011 and has grown into an international conservation movement that celebrates rhinos and draws attention to the threats they continue to face, particularly poaching and habitat loss.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) Public Relations Manager Luckmore Safuli, said a landmark conservation achievement in 2026 was the return of critically endangered black rhinos to Matusadonha National Park.
“This landmark reintroduction, carried out through meticulously planned capture and translocation operations, highlights the effectiveness of coordinated planning, veterinary oversight, and rigorous post-release monitoring.
“Zimbabwe’s rhino population growth has also surpassed the 5 percent annual target set under the previous management framework, while satellite telemetry, camera traps and DNA profiling are strengthening evidence-based management.
“These gains are anchored in a clear national framework. The Rhino Management Strategy for Zimbabwe remains the guiding instrument for protection, biological management, law enforcement, capacity building and collaboration, and is due for review. Site-specific plans for Kyle, Matusadonha, Matobo and other priority reserves translate national policy into action through habitat management, veterinary care, anti-poaching deployment and community engagement,” said Safuli.
He added that rhino protection cannot stop at national borders, further revealing that the country is strengthening cooperation through the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on cross-border law enforcement, joint patrols, intelligence sharing and the disruption of trafficking networks.
“These regional mechanisms close the gaps exploited by organised wildlife criminals and multiply the impact of national action.
“Zimbabwe remains actively engaged under CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other international conservation platforms. Partnerships in wildlife forensics, canine capacity, intelligence-led investigations, conservation finance and public-private investment are strengthening the national response to organised wildlife crime while supporting long-term habitat restoration and community benefit.”
Safuli added that going forward, ZimParks will intensify intelligence-led anti-poaching operations, expand technology-driven monitoring, strengthen veterinary capacity, undertake carefully assessed translocations and restore habitats and wildlife corridors to secure viable rhino populations.
“ZimParks will also deepen community participation, strengthen coexistence and mitigation measures, expand sustainable livelihood opportunities and connect local enterprises to wildlife stewardship and tourism value chains.
“Government, regional and international partners, donors, businesses, tourism operators and citizens are urged to unite behind sustained financing, stronger cross-border enforcement, responsible conservation investment, community benefit, habitat protection and the reporting of wildlife crime.
“Protecting Zimbabwe’s rhinos safeguards the nation’s ecosystems, livelihoods and natural heritage. ZimParks remains committed to science-based conservation and strong partnerships that secure thriving rhino populations for future generations,” he added.
