Sponsor Community Guardians in Zimbabwe

Dear Sponsors,

We will be putting this project on hold since incoming funding was low and insufficient for us to do justice to this important program.  We thank all who have so unselfishly donated funds to this project and for identifying with our needs.

A Community guardian is the interlink between the community and wildlife authorities.  This person collects data on human-wildlife conflict, checks out incidents, reports these incidents to us (ALERT) and we then try and mitigate wildlife predation incidents in such a way that the wildlife and the community is protected.  The guardian will talk with affected communities, find out why there have been incidences of stock killings by carnivores and make recommendations.  Frequently we find that villagers do not have adequate livestock-holding facilities, or do not put their livestock in pens at night, and if this is the case we give advice and material assistance if the villager is willing.

In the case of livestock predation by lions or spotted hyaena, ALERT erects predator-proof livestock holding pens in the conflict “hot-spots” or helps villagers build sturdier predator-proof traditional-style pens.

The Community guardian’s role is important but this person needs consistent support in order to maintain respect and credibility with the community in which he/she works.  At present, due to low funding and our own financial difficulties due to Covid, we will put this project on hold.

A total of $522.55 was raised out of a target of $6,600 for this project.  The funds so far raised has been used to buy a bicycle, a GPS, tape measure (to measure predator footprints), stationary, clipboards, cell phone airtime etc.  We will resurrect this project when finances improve but will continue to keep it viable by regularly meeting with the local government authority in charge of the village areas and the Chief of the area.

Finally we would like you to know that through your donations and support we were able to produce a working document entitled “Human-wildlife conflict in the Chizarira National Park buffer Communities: Status report and mitigation strategies”. The data for this document was obtained with the help of a Community Guardian and put together by the ALERT team.  Just recently the document was presented to all stakeholders in the area at a Rural District Council meeting.  Our mitigation strategies as recommended by us in the document are now being implemented. 

You can be proud and assured that your support has made a difference.

• Data collected by Community Guardian (DOCX)

Community guardians are an important link between communities, wildlife and conservation.  Their function in communities surrounding a Protected Area includes collecting data on wildlife seen in the communal areas, reporting problem animals, keeping records of human-wildlife/livestock conflict, and to be the interface between community and the Protected Area Authorities.

To date the support response for this project has been poor probably due to the situation that we all face due to the Covid-10 pandemic.  We would like to thank our sponsors to date, for their sacrifice and commitment.  It has helped to make a difference in that although we are unable at this time to employ a full-time guardian, we have used the funds so far received to enable our researchers to step into the role that a guardian would take.

Zimbabwe had an exceptional season of rain after more than 4 years of drought.  The Villagers on the edges have eked out an existence by planting maize, ground nuts, sorghum and pumpkins that have had poor yields, heaping an extra burden on the community.  However this last season has seen good rains, rivers flowing and water holes filling up.  Villagers have been able to plant their crops and are due to reap an excellent reward for their efforts.

But as we left Chizarira a week ago we had reports from the District Councilor that there were reports of elephants in crops.  We brought up maps of the elephants we have so far collared and noted that one cow with a herd totaling 30 was in the Communal Land.  We have been able to warn villagers to carry out measures to stop the elephant going into the crops using age old methods namely fires around fields, lookouts, dogs, noise and light.  By so doing we are able to help the villagers protect the crops and also to prevent lethal retaliatory action by villagers who may be affected.

This project will continue since it is so important for the community and for the wildlife, but if funds do not come through we will need to look at other ways of fulfilling our commitment to the community. As mentioned our researchers are filling this role at this time and we are ensured that there is continuity in the support that we give villagers.  If and when sufficient finds are available, we will employ a fulltime guardian from within the villagers who knows the area and is respected by the community.

Thank you for your continued support during this difficult time.  Stay safe!