The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has successfully relocated 74 large herbivores, marking an important milestone in ongoing conservation efforts within Matusadona National Park.
The translocations, done in partnership with the Matusadona Conservation Trust, were completed in July 2025.
“The Authority is pleased to announce the completion of wildlife translocations that brought 50 African buffalo, 10 common eland from Tsetse Island on Lake Kariba, and 14 sable antelope from the Sibilobilo Safari Area (one of the islands along the Zambezi River) during July 2025. Feasibility assessments were done to ensure sustainable conservation of the species,” ZimParks said in a statement.
Beyond simply supplementing the local animal population, the translocations are aimed at supporting broader ecological restoration, with the goal of reviving graze and browse dynamics, strengthening prey populations, and enhancing the overall resilience of the ecosystem.
“The translocations will help restore the ecological balance of the park, while supporting the broader restoration of the Sebungwe Region in the years to come,” ZimParks said.
The initiative was a collaborative effort involving multiple organisations, including the African Wildlife Management and Conservation (AWMC) and Wildlife Management Services International (WMSI), with support from Matusadona’s Conservation and Veterinarian Unit.
ZimParks also highlighted the crucial role of the Nyaminyami community, which helped to strengthen the long-term vision for conservation in the area through a newly approved Land Use Plan.
Funding for the operation was provided by various local and international donors, including a generous donation from the Global Wildlife Fund.
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