From poacher to ranger, wildlife protector Elias | My Zimbabwe

Summary

Elias Libombo, a community officer working at Coronado National Park in Zimbabwe, shares his deep connection to both conservation and the local community. His work bridges the gap between wildlife protection and the needs of displaced communities, fostering mutual respect and sustainable solutions. Despite challenges such as human-wildlife conflict and poverty, Elias strives to inspire future generations to embrace conservation, drawing on his own transformation from poacher to ranger. His story reflects the importance of cultural preservation, community support, and the balance needed for both people and nature to coexist harmoniously.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elias Libombo is a passionate ranger at Coronado National Park in Zimbabwe, deeply committed to both wildlife conservation and community engagement.
• 😀 His conservation efforts are rooted in cultural values, with the goal of creating a balanced relationship between local communities and wildlife.
• 😀 Elias inherited his love for conservation from his father, who worked in Gonarezhou National Park, and this has shaped his career and spiritual connection to the land.
• 😀 Despite challenges, Elias believes that working closely with the community, including disadvantaged groups like widows, is key to successful conservation.
• 😀 Human-wildlife conflict is a significant issue, with elephants damaging crops and hippos causing fatalities, yet Elias remains determined to find solutions.
• 😀 The park has developed community programs like the 'Shanghai Perseverance Group' to help locals with basic needs such as food, school fees, and housing.
• 😀 Poaching remains a problem, but Elias, who was once a poacher himself, uses his unique insight into poaching tactics to fight illegal wildlife activities more effectively.
• 😀 The park faces resistance from the community due to historical displacement, but continuous engagement and open dialogue are vital for building trust and cooperation.
• 😀 The harsh drought and poor harvests have strained local communities, and the park has stepped in by providing grass to support livestock survival.
• 😀 Elias emphasizes the importance of cultural preservation, noting how local practices, like rainmaking ceremonies, are integrated into the park's conservation efforts.
• 😀 The overarching goal is to create a sustainable coexistence between local people and wildlife, ensuring that both the community and nature thrive.

Q & A

What is Elias Libombo's role in Coronado National Park?

Elias Libombo is a community liaison officer at Coronado National Park in Zimbabwe. His role involves working between the park and local communities, facilitating conservation efforts and addressing the needs of the people living around the park.

How does Elias feel about his work in conservation?

Elias has a deep passion for his work in wildlife conservation. He views it as both a spiritual calling and a familial duty, as his father worked in wildlife conservation in the 1960s. Elias values his role in preserving wildlife and educating others on living harmoniously with nature.

What challenges do the communities face near Coronado National Park?

The communities around Coronado National Park face several challenges, including crop destruction by wildlife, particularly elephants and hippos. They also struggle with insufficient rainfall, leading to poor harvests and the death of livestock. Additionally, there are tensions stemming from the displacement of people during the creation of the game reserve.

What is the 'Shangai' group mentioned in the transcript?

The 'Shangai' group refers to a community initiative focused on supporting the most disadvantaged members of society, particularly widows. This group has become self-sufficient by generating income through activities such as painting, allowing them to support their children’s education and build homes.

How does Elias work to balance conservation and community needs?

Elias focuses on community engagement by organizing programs that assist locals while promoting conservation. He works to ensure that the community benefits from the park's resources, such as providing grass for livestock survival and supporting local agriculture, while also addressing issues like poaching and encroachments on park land.

What is the significance of Elias' father in his conservation work?

Elias' father, who worked in Gonarezhou National Park since the 1960s, greatly influenced his passion for wildlife conservation. Elias describes his connection to wildlife as a spiritual inspiration passed down from his father.

What impact has poaching had on the wildlife in the park?

Poaching has been a significant problem in the park, with poachers using wire snares to trap animals. Elias and his team have been working to reduce poaching, with success in reducing the number of snare incidents by 80% over the past few years.

How does Elias view the role of local communities in wildlife conservation?

Elias believes that local communities must be actively involved in wildlife conservation. He aims to foster a sense of ownership and understanding among community members so that they can coexist with wildlife, respect the park’s boundaries, and contribute to its preservation.

What does Elias mean by 'co-existence' with wildlife?

For Elias, 'co-existence' with wildlife means finding a way for people and animals to live in harmony. This includes addressing human-wildlife conflict, ensuring that communities benefit from conservation efforts, and fostering respect for nature.

What role does cultural preservation play in Elias' conservation work?

Elias emphasizes the importance of cultural preservation alongside wildlife conservation. He works with the community to maintain cultural practices, such as rainmaking ceremonies, which are seen as a way to connect with the land and the natural world, ensuring that the community’s cultural heritage is preserved while promoting conservation.