Zimbabwe launches major wildlife translocation program to restore Matusadona National Park!

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), in collaboration with the African Parks Network and the Matusadona Conservation Trust, has launched a comprehensive multi-year wildlife translocation program aimed at restoring biodiversity and ecological balance in Matusadona National Park.
As part of this ambitious conservation initiative, ZimParks has issued permits for the relocation of 10 eland and 50 buffalo from Tsetse Island (located within Lake Kariba Recreational Park) as well as 20 sable antelope from the Sibilobilo Safari Area.
In addition, other key herbivore species - including more sable, eland, and roan antelope - will be translocated from carefully selected populations across Zimbabwe. These strategic wildlife movements are designed to re-establish viable, self-sustaining herbivore populations in Matusadona National Park, contributing to the long-term ecological recovery of the park and the greater Sebungwe landscape.
All translocations are being guided by rigorous ecological assessments to ensure that source populations remain healthy and that relocated species thrive in their new habitat.
This far-reaching wildlife conservation effort is about more than just moving animals. Over the coming years, the project will implement critical measures to support:

• Enhanced anti-poaching and law enforcement efforts,
• Ongoing biodiversity monitoring
• Community development programs to improve local livelihoods and strengthen the relationship between conservation and the communities surrounding Matusadona National Park.

These integrated activities aim to generate tangible conservation and socio-economic benefits, positioning Matusadona National Park as a flagship destination for ecotourism in Zimbabwe and a beacon of successful landscape restoration.

With substantial investments now being made in infrastructure, ecological restoration, and stakeholder engagement, Matusadona National Park is undergoing a transformative revival. This landmark initiative marks a bold step in Zimbabwe's broader commitment to sustainable natural resource management and the protection of its iconic wildlife.

Matusadona National Park, located on the southern shores of Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe, spans approximately 1,400 square kilometers of rugged hills, woodlands, and shoreline grasslands. Once a stronghold for black rhinos and elephants, the park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including buffalo, lion, leopard, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of antelope species. Its unique mix of miombo and mopane woodlands, plus floodplains and lakeside habitats, supports a high density of birdlife and offers one of the few remaining truly wild safari experiences in Zimbabwe.