Zimbabwe’s conservation efforts are set to receive a significant boost with a €1 million grant from the Postcode Lottery aimed at protecting wildlife and habitats in the Hwange-Matetsi-Zambezi landscape. The funding will support ongoing rescue and conservation work by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) within the 14,600 km² Hwange National Park, home to over 45,000 African savannah elephants.
The grant will enhance wildlife rescue initiatives, strengthen ranger capacity, and help secure critical migration routes for animals across the region. Since 2019, IFAW has partnered with ZimParks and local communities under the Room to Roam initiative to protect this vital ecosystem, one of Southern Africa’s most important conservation landscapes.
IFAW Zimbabwe Country Director Alleta Nyahuye highlighted that the partnership has tackled pressing conservation challenges over the past six years, and the new contribution will allow the program to expand and promote coexistence between people and wildlife. Jonne Arnoldussen, Managing Director of the Postcode Lottery, emphasized that the funding reflects a shared commitment to balancing human and environmental needs.
ZimParks Director General Professor Edson Gandiwa noted that the support will help safeguard wildlife, habitats, and the communities living alongside them, aligning with Zimbabwe’s national development goals. The collaboration between IFAW, ZimParks, and the Postcode Lottery demonstrates a concerted effort to strengthen conservation capacity, protect biodiversity, and ensure the long-term resilience of the Hwange ecosystem.
