As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s most acclaimed and prized gems. Teeming with vibrant flora, stunning animals, and fascinating birds, Victoria Falls and its surrounding national parks are a wildlife-lover’s paradise. But this World Heritage Site was not always an animal sanctuary. Much of the area’s preserved eco-systems are in large part due to the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU).
This courageous anti-poaching organization has lent a great deal of attention and valuable resources to threatened wildlife in both the Victoria Falls National Park and its neighboring Zambezi National Park since the unit’s establishment in 1999.
Privately funded, the VFAPU works closely with the Wildlife Management Authority and the parks to ensure the unit’s wildlife conservation vision is properly implemented and supported throughout the 146,632 acres of terrain their efforts cover.
Individuals, as well as over a dozen hotels, lodges, and eco-tourism companies, also donate their support and finances to the VFAPU in order to expedite the anti-poaching unit’s vision for poaching reduction in the area.
Before the VFAPU stepped in . . .
More than 19,000 poaching snares were strewn throughout the national parks. Unfortunately, when animals are caught in these traps, it can often take them several days to die.
Subsistence poaching was occurring at a highly threatening rate. This form of animal poaching is done by locals to get bush meat to eat and sell. In fact, central and southern Africa consume more than 1.9 million tons of bush meat each year—a large contributor to the Zambezi River Valley’s wildlife devastation. These subsistence poachers often kill kudu, impala, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and warthog for their bush meat and then sell the meat for profit.
Environmental poaching was a large contributor to eco-system and habitat destruction. This form of poaching involves the act of deforestation or removing plants, soil, and sand from the environment. Locals cut down trees and other flora for fuel, firewood to cook, and for building expensive furniture. Other times, they use natural resources such as sand to build shelter and structures.
Elephants and rhinos were being poached at a highly excessive rate for their tusks or horns, feet, and skin. This form of poaching is also known as commercial poaching and is primarily done by poverty-stricken locals who are looking for a form of income.
Programs initiated by the VFAPU to retaliate against poaching:
Animal rescue and rehabilitation programs: Animals who are injured or snared by humans have the opportunity to survive thanks to the VFAPU’s hard-working volunteers and support team. Often snared on the face or limbs, animals can become horribly wounded and suffer until rescued. Through private donations, medicines such as antibiotics and sedation drugs, can be administered to animals in need of rescue.
Once these animals are rescued and rehabilitated, they can be released and reunited with their offspring and herds / social groups.
Wildlife and habitat protection programs: Currently employing more than a dozen scouts to survey the Zambezi River Valley region and prevent poaching activities, the VFAPU has arrested more than 360 poachers and has taken great measures to set an example in the area.
School and community awareness programs: Through song, dance, and story, the VFAPU is working to bring poaching awareness to the local communities and educate youth on the environmental and community consequences of poaching. Through these programs, children and adults alike participate in theatrical performances that educate the local population, and kids from nearby schools are brought to visit the area’s Elephant Camp to learn about the elephants of the Zambezi River Valley and their importance to the environment.
VFAPU also provides educational demonstrations on the rapid consumption of natural resources for fuel and educates locals on alternative materials that can be used in place of these natural resources.
Ex-poacher employment programs: Working with a variety of employers, the VFAPU seeks self-sustaining job opportunities for former poachers. Some of these employment opportunities include textile making, clothing production, and legal wood carving jobs with the Forestry Commission.
Although the complete elimination of poaching in the Victoria Falls National Park and Zambezi National Park is still a great ways away, VFAPU has made phenomenal strides in Zimbabwe wildlife conservation since their beginnings, and continues to implement their vision for a poaching-free Zimbabwe.
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