Harare, (New Ziana) — Zimbabwe is stepping up efforts to protect its rhinoceros populations through intelligence-led anti-poaching operations, technology-driven monitoring and regional cooperation as the country marks World Rhino Day.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) said on Wednesday the national rhino population had exceeded the 5 per cent annual growth target set under its previous management framework, reflecting gains from habitat protection, law enforcement, scientific monitoring and coordinated conservation programmes.
ZimParks public relations manager, Luckmore Safuli, said the country would build on the gains by strengthening rhino protection, restoring habitats and wildlife corridors as well as increasing community participation in conservation.
“A landmark conservation achievement in 2026 was the return of critically endangered black rhinos to Matusadonha National Park. This landmark reintroduction highlights the effectiveness of coordinated planning, veterinary oversight, and rigorous post-release monitoring,” he said.
World Rhino Day, observed annually on September 22 since 2011, raises awareness of the threats facing rhinos, particularly poaching and habitat loss.
The return of black rhinos to Matusadona has emerged as a major milestone in Zimbabwe’s recovery program. Seventeen black rhinos were reintroduced into the Lake Kariba park in June, more than three decades after poaching forced authorities to remove the last survivors from the area. The animals include descendants of rhinos that once inhabited the Sebungwe landscape south of Kariba.
ZimParks and its conservation partners are using intensive protection measures and monitoring technology to secure the reintroduced population. Matusadona’s management plan targets annual black rhino population growth of more than 5 per cent and includes tracking, security and post-release monitoring measures.
Safuli said satellite telemetry, camera traps and DNA profiling were improving wildlife monitoring and helping authorities make evidence-based management decisions.
He said the Rhino Management Strategy for Zimbabwe remained the national framework for rhino protection, biological management, law enforcement, capacity building and collaboration, but was due for review.
Zimbabwe is also working with other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries on cross-border law enforcement, joint patrols, intelligence sharing and efforts to disrupt wildlife-trafficking networks.
“Rhino protection cannot stop at national borders,” Safuli said.
Zimbabwe has been a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1981 and uses national laws and regulations to meet its obligations on wildlife protection and international trade.
Safuli said ZimParks would expand veterinary capacity, carefully assess future translocations and strengthen links between communities, wildlife stewardship and tourism value chains.
“Protecting Zimbabwe’s rhinos safeguards the nation’s ecosystems, livelihoods and natural heritage,” he said
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