Over 2,400 Animals Translocated to Restore Matusad...

Over 2,400 Animals Translocated to Restore Matusadona Park

Zim Now Writer

A groundbreaking conservation milestone has been achieved in Zimbabwe as the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, in partnership with Matusadona Conservation Trust, recently completed the translocation of 2,442 herbivores into Matusadona National Park.

This ambitious initiative is seen as a pivotal step in restoring the park’s ecological integrity and biodiversity.

The completed wildlife translocations include a variety of iconic African species such as 150 African buffalo, 200 zebras, impalas, sables, and waterbucks, primarily sourced from the Lake Kariba shoreline and surrounding areas.

The operations, which began in 2019, were finished in July 2025, following comprehensive feasibility assessments and the implementation of robust animal welfare standards.

According to ZimParks, these translocations represent a significant stride forward in ongoing ecological restoration. The broader objectives of the project include:

Rebuild and strengthen viable wildlife populations

Enhance ecosystem resilience and biodiversity

Foster long-term adaptive management within the park

Experts highlight that restoring the balance of herbivore populations is essential for ecosystem health, benefiting not just wildlife but local communities and tourism.

The influx of herbivores will help renew the park’s grazing systems, support predators, and improve habitats. Subsequent to this effort, carnivore recolonisation is anticipated, further stabilizing the food web.

This initiative is the result of collaborative work among ZimParks, Matusadona Conservation Trust, and various stakeholders committed to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

Future monitoring will focus on adapting management strategies as needed and evaluating the impact on ecological health and tourism.

The conservation community is already praising Zimbabwe’s renewed commitment to biodiversity, citing Matusadona National Park’s efforts as a model for Africa-wide conservation initiatives.