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14 April 2020

Hideaways: Hwange National Park: Conservation efforts remain top priority

By Kim Sparrow, Hideaways

Recreational exposure and environmental awareness are now irreversibly connected in the world of travel. Conservation efforts are extensively supported by community conservation tourism and are now facing trying times in the ongoing Covid-19 situation, and will do so beyond travel bans and lock down being lifted. Without the flow of travellers, funds decrease substantially. To support the incredible work accomplished in our national parks, honouring past efforts and ensuring the future welfare of wildlife, Hideaways remains dedicated to all its projects protecting and conserving our environment and communities.

As members of the Conservation Wildlife Fund (CWF), guests at Elephant’s Eye, Hwange contribute a certain percentage of each bed night on a monthly basis, enabling the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) to keep designated areas bordering Hwange National Park protected. CWF is made up of private and NGO sectors forming an alliance to assist authorities with vital conservation work. A focal initiative, the APU is made up of members of the community who have been trained by the CWF with the latest in anti-poaching methods, ensuring that our wildlife will be around for future generations, as well as supporting community empowerment through employment.

Additionally, Elephant’s Eye, Hwange, employs its own anti-poaching unit which patrol their concession. These auxiliary initiatives are becoming more and more essential with less guests travelling through the park, therefore less game drive vehicles ‘patrolling’ the area. Due to recent job loss as a result of the global health pandemic, resulting in depressed economic activity leading to potential escalation in wildlife crime, support is necessary now more than ever.

With conservation remaining one of Hideaways’ top priorities, funds continue to be allocated to the Conservation Wildlife Fund to assist anti-poaching, as well as salaries to their internal anti-poaching unit. As such projects now exist symbiotically with the tourism sector, it is our responsibility to ensure sustainability – for wildlife, community upliftment and the future of travel.

If you have guests who still wish to learn more about making a difference through remote assistance, please click here to contact us for more information.