A Hwange based Conservationist Amos Gwema continues to raise the Zimbabwe flag as he has
scooped another award of being the Best Game Ranger.
He scooped the award on September 16 at the Southern African Wild College in South Africa.
“This is a special moment in my career and life, and I feel motivated to work extra hard in the
conservation field, especially working with the community,” he said.
Gwema who has been working in the conservation field for the past 16 years has arrested a total of
1 221 people who have violated several wildlife acts.
“Ninety-five percent of these arrests have been in the communal areas and I realised that most
community members are actually tricked into commit wildlife crime and in the end left alone to
cover legal fees etc. When arrested the syndicate leaders will remain free. Why is the law mainly
punishing the person who has been illegally found in possession or one dealing with ivory, pangolin,
rhinos?” he asked.
“I was nominated by a person who should have been impressed by my community wildlife outreach
projects. I feel that conservationist should not fight the community to conserve wildlife, but we
should employ the TREE method that is Teach Rehabilitate or Reform ex wildlife convicts, Engage
and Educate the community,“ he explained.
Gwema has been working with communities in fighting wildlife crimes and has been involved in
community projects such as distribution of books to school children, distribution of solar lights and
has assisted some community members who pick live pangolins and hand to authorities.
He said Zimbabwe should be proud of this recognition which he said does not belong to Amos
Gwema alone.
“I think this award is good for Zimbabwe in terms of conservation efforts at a global scale, but the
opportunity is not being noticed. This is not an individual award but a Zimbabwean award,” he said.
Of late, Gwema has scooped a number awards which include Best Game Ranger 2023, in 2020 Tusk
African Ranger of the year, in 2019 African Ranger of year in Rhino Conservation Awards and in 2018
First Runner Up African Ranger of the year.
“These prestigious Awards have not been recognised locally but are internationally recognised as
important. I earned all the above through nomination and a panel of renowned Conservationists
who would sit down and come up with winners. Unfortunately, that is not being noticed by anyone
in Zimbabwe” he said.
“I would like to thank Bhejane Trust (Local), Save African Rhino Foundation (Australia),Tusk and
International Elephant Foundation(IEF) USA for the recognition they have been offered me for the

past years and wish if they can continue with that for the good of conservation. I wish if they can
also recognise other upcoming conservationists working tirelessly to conserve our wildlife,” he said.