Spanning a region nearly twice the size of the United Kingdom, the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area is where Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe converge.
This remarkable conservation area boasts natural wonders such as the 15,000 km² Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta, which transforms the arid landscape with its lush greenery and waterways, and the breathtaking Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The area is also home to the world’s largest population of free-ranging elephants. Due to human population increase and habitat encroachment, Human-Elephant Conflict has intensified presenting a significant challenge.
In Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, around 45,000 elephants roam freely, sometimes coming into close contact with local communities.
Human Elephant Conflict arises when elephants are forced into human settlements in search of food, water, or space, sometimes leading to the destruction of crops, loss of livestock, and even fatalities. For communities living on the fringes of protected areas like Hwange, the stakes are incredibly high.
Elephants are ecosystem engineers capable of shaping and transforming landscapes. They face significant threats from Human Elephant Conflict, habitat loss, the closing of migratory corridors, retaliatory killing, illegal wildlife trade and climate change-induced droughts
Climate change exacerbates these issues by altering ecosystems and resource availability, pushing elephants and other wildlife closer to human habitats. This shift in animal behaviour and migration patterns increases the likelihood of conflicts and mitigating these conflicts is crucial for both conservation and community welfare.
Eco Engineers
Elephants are ecosystem engineers capable of shaping and transforming landscapes. They face significant threats from Human Elephant Conflict, habitat loss, the closing of migratory corridors, retaliatory killing, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change-induced droughts. Around 96 African elephants are lost daily, and at this rate, with less than 400,000 elephants in Sub-Saharan Africa, they could be extinct in the wild within a decade.
To help tackle these challenges, the Conservation & Wildlife Fund (CWF) Rangers play a crucial role in protecting ecosystems, corridors, and buffer zones around Hwange National Park, to secure and resurrect areas of biodiversity and strategic importance that could otherwise be lost to human settlement, timber harvesting, agriculture, or mining. Their invaluable work has led to reductions in cyanide (and other) poisonings and the arrests of poachers.
CWF has recently integrated female rangers into their teams. These women are doing more than patrolling; they’re helping to build bridges with local communities, ease tensions, and fostering a spirit of cooperation that’s essential for protecting wildlife.
‘I believe mixed units are the way to go as women bring with them a different dimension of thought and ability that adds value to a team who already possess great skill,’ says Nigel Kuhn, Conservation and Field Operations Manager.
Female Rangers’ Impact
The newest female recruits have already made a big impact. Their integration into the ranger units has brought fresh perspectives and new skills, supporting efforts to mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict.
The training for female rangers is as tough and thorough as it is for their male counterparts. It includes ‘Lala Vuka’ walking patrols, where the rangers carry their supplies and log natural springs for water sources testing their physical and mental endurance.
Meet the women giving their all to protect Hwange’s wildlife and wild spaces.
Sikhangezile Ntini
From the Gwayi community, Sikhangezile aspires to be a professional guide. She’s been actively involved in community education, focusing on safe sex and family planning. Her passion for improving the lives of her community members perfectly aligns with CWF’s mission. Sikhangezile’s dedication to education and community welfare is a huge asset in reducing Human-Elephant Conflict.
Sethisiwe Ncube
Also from Gwayi, Sethisiwe has a background in pottery and has volunteered with BirdLife Zimbabwe since her teenage years. Her lifelong dream to protect the environment is now coming true through her work as a ranger. Sethisiwe’s deep connection to her community and her commitment to the environment make her an invaluable part of the team.
Shuvai Shoko
From the peri-urban township of Dete, Shuvai initially wanted to join the Zimbabwe National Army. Family obligations changed her path, but she found her true calling in conservation. Shuvai’s determination and love for her homeland’s wilderness fuel her dedication to the mission. Her military aspirations and local roots provide a unique perspective in efforts to protect wildlife and support communities.
World Female Ranger Week
World Female Ranger Week that started on June 23 and lasts until June 30, 2024, is a pioneering awareness week that amplifies the voices of female wildlife rangers on a global stage. Spearheaded by international NGO, How Many Elephants to shine a light on the vital role women play in conservation and the unique perspectives they bring to the field. It’s also a chance to push for more gender diversity in conservation efforts globally.
Benson Kanyembo, a World Female Ranger Week Ambassador and Law Enforcement Advisor at CSL in Zambia, says ‘World Female Ranger Week honours the courageous women on the front lines who confront danger daily.
‘Their dedication deserves our recognition and celebration. These remarkable female rangers exemplify the strength and resilience of women in conservation, and their work is vital for a sustainable future. Let’s continue to support and uplift their impactful efforts.’
‘I’ve seen first-hand how female rangers are impacting lives through education. As role models, educators and beacons of hope, female rangers are transforming attitudes towards the role of women within their communities and around the world’
Holly Budge, Founder of World Female Ranger Week
Investing in women and girls has far-reaching benefits for communities and countries. By involving women in conservation efforts, stronger, more resilient communities are built, better equipped to face the challenges of climate change and human-wildlife conflict.
Bringing gender equality into the ranger workforce strengthens community conservation relationships, with women being natural communicators, educators, and investing their earned income in their families, as seen through initiatives like Akashinga. Female rangers are also invaluable role models to young women and girls in their communities, acting as transformative educators and beacons of hope.
Mitigating Human-Elephant Conflict is a complex challenge that requires fresh and inclusive approaches. By integrating female rangers into conservation teams live CWF, it’s not only addressing gender imbalances but also improving the ability to resolve conflicts and protect wildlife.
Female rangers have shown remarkable resilience, dedication, and a deep commitment to both their communities and the environment. As CWF continues to train, equip, and employ more women from rural areas, they are confident that these efforts will lead to significant progress in protecting and preserving Zimbabwe’s wildlife.
How Many Elephants is deeply committed to working towards a future where women and men work side by side to safeguard the planet’s precious biodiversity.
‘I’ve seen first-hand how female rangers are impacting lives through education. As role models, educators and beacons of hope, female rangers are transforming attitudes towards the role of women within their communities and around the world.
Holly Budge is the founder of UK Charity How Many Elephants and World Female Ranger Week. Her impactful work has been celebrated worldwide, including by Sir David Attenborough and HRH Prince Edward. She was recently voted ‘Woman of the Year in Non-Profit’, listed in the Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise, and is an official UN Women UK Delegate. To date she has fundraised over £500,000.
