Zimbabwe Unveils ‘Elephant Toolbox’ to Tackle Human-Wildlife Conflict

By Lovejoy Mutongwiza

Zimbabwe is poised to take a groundbreaking step in wildlife conservation with the launch of its first-ever “Elephant Toolbox,” a resource designed to mitigate the growing tension between humans and elephants. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife in collaboration with Save The Elephants, will officially debut in Harare tomorrow, marking a significant move to address human-wildlife conflicts that have long plagued rural communities.

The “Elephant Toolbox,” a comprehensive guide available both as a physical book and a digital application, promises to equip communities living near wildlife-rich regions with essential strategies for peaceful coexistence.

Packed with knowledge on elephant behavior and methods to reduce encounters, the resource is tailored specifically for communities that regularly find themselves on the front lines of human-wildlife conflict.

“We’re very excited to be here in Harare for a big event tomorrow where we are launching the human-elephant coexistence toolbox,” Lucy King, Save The Elephants’ Coexistence Director, told reporters today. “As you can see here, it’s quite a thick textbook. It’s packed full of over 80 ideas on how to live with elephants, and these ideas have been gathered from across the elephant range through our network of Elephant Crisis Fund partners.”

For farmers in regions like Masvingo and Hwange, where elephants frequently raid crops, the “Elephant Toolbox” offers much-needed relief. These communities often suffer devastating financial losses from elephant incursions, with some resorting to retaliatory measures that endanger both humans and elephants. The toolbox aims to break this cycle by providing actionable solutions, promoting harmony between local farmers and the animals that share their land.

“But we know elephants don’t make easy neighbors,” King emphasized. “So, we’ve pulled together methods from every country in Africa, showcasing how it’s possible to live with elephants. And all of these methods are in this beautiful book.”

A notable feature of the launch will be the unveiling of a Ndebele version of the toolbox, a crucial step in making the material more accessible to local farmers. This translation effort underscores the initiative’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that communities across Zimbabwe can benefit from the insights offered. Beyond Ndebele, the toolbox will also be available in Swahili, English, and French, broadening its impact across the African continent.

The introduction of this resource comes at a critical time, as human-wildlife conflict continues to escalate in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Save The Elephants, headquartered in Nairobi, has been a pivotal player in raising international funds to support these initiatives. Their efforts not only safeguard local communities but also contribute to the preservation of national parks and bolster ranger operations vital for wildlife protection