Zimparks rangers and Aware Trust placing a GPS collar on Bull Elephant

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority through its Scientific and Vertinary has started installing Global Positioning Systems (GPS) collars on key wildlife species for tracking, protection and research purposes in Mana Pools National Park.The use of tracking collars is one of the most common methods of monitoring the movement of wild animals.It allows researchers to collect baseline data like home range sizes, daily movements, behavioural data and diet.Depending on the species of animal, the collars can be customized with sensors to recognize different movement activity, temperature and even mortality. According various scholars when the movement sensor detects no movement, after a pre-programmed period of time, it changes the pulse rate to a higher or lower rate indicating change in behaviour (e.g. resting or stationary).

Zimparks over the years has been using different methods to track wildlife but has gravitated more to the use of GPS collars following rampant poaching and human and wildlife conflict. Mana Pools National park a UNESCO recognized World Heritage site was were a recent collaring of a Bull Elephant was conducted. Aware trust in collaboration with Zimparks saw the collaring of the bull Elephant. Zimparks Vet Dr Chaitezvi expressed his appreciation to their partner Aware Trust and how this a positive step in cabbing poaching and potential Human and Wildlife conflict.

‘Elephants cover long distance in a short space of time and this GPS will allow us to track the animal and know if it’s not close to human settlements or fields, this helps in avoiding human and wildlife conflict. This technology also allows us to track the animal’s position and also detect if the animal is in the safe perimeters of the parks and avoid poaching’

Zimbabwe has the second largest herd of Elephants in the World after its neighbour Botswana. It is through adopting such sustainable conservation methods of this nature that such large numbers of elephants still exist.

(Story by Dumisani Chihoto)

Principal Extention and Interpretation Officer Mr Kuguyo conducting a training course

At least 200 people in Kanyemba area in Mbire district were trained about fish farming by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority through its Extention and Interpretation Department on the 13^thof July this year. The Authority has been on an incessant course to see locals trained in sustainable fish farming with the objective of increasing the fisheries sector and also increase consumption of fish by Zimbabwean locals. Training took place at Majaya Business Centre and Mariga primary school.

The locals were taught on different methods of fish farming which comprised from identification of space for the construction of fish ponds, species to breed and the new cage culture fish breeding methods. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is working hand and clove with other authorities and organisation like Forestry and EMA which fall under the parent Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate. The objective of this unified approach is to enhance sustainable community projects that benefit both present and future generations.

Fish farming in Zimbabwe is a small industry with only a few commercial farms in existence, however the Authority recognizes the potential of this sleeping giant and intends to contribute to the growth of this sector through enriching local communities with knowledge on how to venture in this Agricultural sub-sector. Commercial aquaculture in the country mainly has to do with two species: Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and rainbow trout (Onchorynchus mykiss). The Authorities mandate is to reach all corners of the country and enrich locals livelihood’s through these trainings.Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Community Liaison and Extention Services Manager Mr Dangare said these trainings conducted by the authority educate locals on all stages of fish farming and fall in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

“In this national on-going project we are assisting the locals through training them on how to set up the fish ponds, the designs and correct slopes. We also support them with materials apart from the ones locally available. We train them on how to breed fish and also give them start up fingerlings, this project falls in line with the Sustainable Development Goals which aim to eradicate poverty and hunger”

Mr Dangare said the projects will go a long way in sustaining community livelihoods taking part in the initiative.

(Story by Dumisani Chihoto)

Many people fear snakes, and this misplaced fear often results in people killing snakes, which is negatively impacting wild populations. World Snake Day gives us the chance to dispel some of these fears and highlights the benefit of snakes in our environment. Snakes play a vital role in our ecosystem ensuring that there is a balance.

One of Zimbabwe’s protected snakes is the African Rock Python. Pythons are non-venomous therefore they can be caught by hand by professionally trained people. The Zimbabwe Parks and wildlife management authority through its Problem Animal Unit ensure that snake species like the python are safely captured and later released if found in human residential areas. After the Python is caught it is not killed because it is a specially protected endangered species. Instead, it is disposed into its natural habitat where the area is protected e.g. Lake Chivero Recreational Park or Darwendale Recreational Park. The authority has a mandate to protect these beautiful reptiles for present and future generations and the public is warned that if caught in possession of this snake be it its skin, teeth or caught in the act of killing it ,one stands to serve a minimum of 9 years in prison. (Story by Dumisani Chihoto)

The Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation area (KAZA TFCA) is hosting a Kavango-Zambezi Joint Golf Classic Tournament in three KAZA TFCA partner countries being Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe which is the last day. The tournament will kicked off on the 3rd of July 2018 in Choma, Zambia at Choma Golf course, 6th of July 2018 was hosted by Botswana in Kasane at Chobe Golf Course and lastly, Zimbabwe on the 7th of July 2018 at Elephant Hills Golf course. The winner from the mens and ladies will each win themselves an airline ticket proudly sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines to a destination where the airline services.

Click here to download poster…

Mana Pools National park is amongst the world’s greatest natural splendours and is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. The wilderness, the freedom, the beauty, together with the incredible animals, birds and plants, all conspire to provide our visitors with unforgettable experience that will remain in their hearts forever.

The Mana Pools booklet is now out…download poster for more information.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced personnel for the above position which has become vacant at Mushandike College of Wildlife Management which is 37 km from Masvingo town along Mashava Road.The incumbent will be reporting to the College Principal.

Duties of Position: shall include the following:-

• Organising knowledge and information in the library for access and retrieval through cataloguing, classification, and abstract narration and indexes periodicals,
• Maintaining and updating the library data base using procite software package,
• Ensuring that library collection is built according to the requirement in the policy,
• Removing obsolete materials from circulation to create room for new and relevant materials,
• Providing current information service through the use of reference sources in and outside the library,
• Ensuring that materials are loaned out properly to avoid theft, and that the correct record of loan is kept,
• Ensures security of information and library property
• Draft budgets for the college library.

The Person:

The ideal incumbent should possess the following:-

• 5 ‘O’ levels including English Language,
• Higher National Diploma in Library and Information Science/Degree in Library Information Sciences or equivalent,
• At least two years relevant experience,
• Computer literacy, good leadership skills, high professional conduct and experience.

Interested candidates should submit their written applications including up to date CVs with certified copies of academic and professional certificates to:

The Principal

Mushandike College of Wildlife Management

1. Bag 9036

Masvingo

On or before the 31^stof July, 2018.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority seeks four innovative, vibrant interns to join the Information Technology team on a 1 year Internship programme. The primary role involves the following responsibilities:

Responsibilities

• Development, implementation, support and customization of it systems and databases including information security
• System testing, user support and training
• Troubleshooting of network related issues nationwide and maintenance of hardware
• Work as a team member in the ICT contact and support centre
• Windows server administration

Qualifications & Attributes

The suitable candidates sought are recent graduates from reputable institutions with excellent communication and IT skills and a passion for learning and action.

The candidates should have:

• Honors degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or equivalent
• Excellent communication skills/Public Relations, presentation skills
• Highly proficient in the use of computers

Interested candidates should submit their written applications together with detailed CVs and certified copies of academic and professional certificates to:

The Human Resources Manager & Chaplaincy

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority

P.O box CY 140

Causeway

Harare

Or hand deliver to Head Office’s Registry Section on or before

Zimparks has recruited its own Wildlife Veterinary surgeon, a quite experience Dr Columbus Chaitezvi. He is not new to the Authority activities as he was always involved with us for the last 10 years also. He came to reinforce and complement the Umtsibi Capture Unit led by Mr Ray Makwehe. Here we can see them collaring and elephant bull in Mana Pools on the 26th of June 2018. The expertise is now from Parks Personnel only and the operation party funded by China Zimbabwe Wildlife Group. Zimparks has a vision of gradually and steadily capacitate its Veterinary and Capture Unit into a formidable force which will meet not only its needs but also the whole wildlife industry. Supporting laboratories are also expected to be opened.

The Pafuri-Sengwe inaugural Joint Park Managers Committee (JPMC) met on the 14^thof June 2018 at Swimuwini Camp, Mabalauta, Gonarezhou National Park. The JPMC comprised of officials from Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. It is a combination of managers from Protected Areas and local communities’ representatives. The forum is an attempt by the GLTP Joint Management Board to facilitate interaction of the three GLTFCA partner countries at a local level. The JPMC is expected to become the conduit to joint operations and law enforcement, tourism and community development.

At this meeting, it was noted that the creation of an enabling policy environment is a key in implementing joint operations and unlocking tourism potential of the TFCA. It was also highlighted that the success of this forum rests on the official gazetting of a border crossing point between Zimbabwe and South Africa in the GLTFCA region.

from TFCA UNIT…

Click here the image above for the invite download…