Blog

A herder stands near a group of cattle.

Human-lion Conflict: A Growing Concern in Hwange District

Human-lion conflict is a pressing issue in Hwange District, Zimbabwe, where livestock depredation by lions and other predators is a significant threat to farmers’ livelihoods. According to the Hwange Rural District Council (RDC) Environment Department’s Problem Animal Control report book for 2024, lions were responsible for 120 livestock losses, hyenas for 125, crocodiles for 86, and leopards for 35. Although lions prey on almost all livestock, they kill more cattle than any other predator, which means that lions cause the most damages in terms of economic value.

Read More›
in Blog / Human Wildlife Conflict / Zimbabwe
A man reaches up as he works on a chilli fence.

Chili Fences: A Game-Changer in Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation

In Zimbabwe’s Hwange District, an innovative solution is helping to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC) and change the lives of local communities. Chili fences are a non-lethal method of protecting crops and reducing conflicts between humans and elephants. The chili fence strategy was made possible by the generous support of Connected Conservation, who donated chili fence materials. By working hand-in-hand with local communities, the initiative has significantly reduced human-elephant conflict.

Read More›
in Blog / Human Wildlife Conflict / Zimbabwe
School building with badly damaged roof.

A Roof Restored, a Future Rebuilt: How Conservation Efforts Supported Education in Hwange, Zimbabwe

In 2024, the people of Matabeleland North (Ward 8) in Zimbabwe’s Hwange District witnessed the tangible benefits of community-led conservation efforts. Revenue generated from wildlife management through the CAMPFIRE programme was used to restore the roof of a classroom block at Lumbora Secondary School. This initiative not only improved the learning environment but also demonstrated the positive impact of sustainable wildlife management on local communities.

Read More›
in Blog / Zimbabwe
Three people pose with newly constructed hives.

Empowering Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Through Beekeeping in North Kivu

In the heart of North Kivu, near the iconic Virunga National Park, Groupe Académia of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is bringing hope through beekeeping. Communities living here grow crops that require large areas of arable land. Their proximity to the national park means that human-elephant conflict is common, while the park is off limits for crop farming. Bees help to deter elephants and provide honey as a ‘crop’ needing no extra land – a win-win solution!

Read More›
in Blog / DRC
Fourteen ladies post with a collection of hand-woven baskets.

Supporting basket weavers living near the Okavango River in Botswana

Basket weaving is an integral part of the culture of local communities in living on the banks of the Okavango River, particularly among the Hambukushu and Wayeyi tribes. This rich tradition has been passed down through generations, preserving not only cultural heritage but also the intricate skills involved. In recent years, due to economic and livelihood challenges, basket weaving has evolved into a sought-after art form, captivating tourists who flock to the Okavango Delta. Each visitor desires to take home a piece of this craftsmanship, making basket weaving a significant economic lifeline for these communities.

Read More›
in Blog / Botswana
A green sign picked out in lights of the hashtag #J&H25

Community Representatives from Botswana want more European hunters

Communities in Botswana are looking to grow their hunting market and therefore jumped at the chance to send two representatives to the Dortmund Jagd & Hund hunting exhibition in Germany. As guests of the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC), they joined the Botswana and Zimbabwean Ambassadors to Germany to discuss the role of hunting in African conservation. 

Read More›
in Blog / Botswana / CBNRM / Sustainable Use / Trophy Hunting
A smiling woman outside a red brick house with 4 goats.

Can goats help conserve Kasungu National Park in Malawi?

Crop farmers living around Kasungu National Park now pay five times as much for a bag of synthetic fertiliser than they did five years ago. COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war packed a combined punch that have left Malawians reeling. Their small fields that used to yield enough to feed the family and pay the bills are no longer productive, as soil fertility declines and rainy seasons shorten due to climate change.

The long-term use of synthetic fertiliser also carries an environmental cost, as it pollutes sources of drinking water and damages soil health. As their environment becomes increasingly hostile to life, desperate people start finding other means of survival. Those near the park will be tempted to hunt or cut down trees illegally, or extend their crop fields into the park by clearing away natural vegetation.

Read More›
in Blog / Malawi
A group of people stand by a decaying hut in a field of soya plants.

A widow’s triumph: how soya production changes lives around Kasungu National Park, Malawi

Maria is a widow living on the edge of Kasungu National Park in Malawi. After her husband passed away, she was left with five children – two still in school – and only two acres of farmland. Maria’s life has been a daily battle against poverty, as she struggled to clothe and feed her children.

Out of desperation, Maria often ventured into the nearby national park in search of firewood and thatch grass to sell. This put her at risk of harassment from park rangers and attacks by wild animals, but she felt that she had little choice.

Read More›
in Blog / Malawi
Two men on chairs address an attentive audience.

Communities Leading Sustainable Development in the Cubango/Okavango River Basin in Angola

Towns and villages within the Cubango/Okavango Basin in Angola are developing quickly, but is this sustainable? The concept of sustainable development involves using natural resources in a way that promotes social, economic and cultural development for present and future generations. 

For the communities in the Cubango/Okavango River Basin, sustainable development that tangibly improves their lives is essential. If their current needs and perspectives are ignored, it is in vain to talk about managing and conserving resources for the future. 

Read More›
in Angola / Sustainable Development
An elephant eating green bushes.

Why local communities support Zimbabwe’s plan to cull 200 elephants

The Zimbabwean government recently announced its intention to cull 200 of its 95,000 elephants to feed its people. Communities living with elephants in the country consider this to be step in the right direction.

As a member of one of the communities living alongside elephants, I warmly welcomed this strategy. During a drought, conflict with elephants increases – they damage crops and leave people without anything to feed their families. This cull will also provide an important source of meat for people who are struggling to survive.

Read More›
in Blog / Zimbabwe