Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) which will enhance wildlife conservation in key protected areas in the country.

The MOU spans a variety of conservation objectives that will include the development of law enforcement capacity to protect wildlife populations from poaching and working with communities to prevent human wildlife conflict.

The two parties also signed a Memorandum of Agreement to ensure that they secure the funding and put the resources to good use to achieve the specific objectives.

IFAW will endeavour to provide financial resources for the projects in amounts to be agreed by the parties and enters into this agreement with a target to raise a minimum of US$1 million.

ZimParks director-general Mr Fulton Mangwanya said wildlife conservation is indeed ZimParks’ culture.

“As my President always say Zimbabwe is open for business, so is ZimParks. This is a great day for everyone and it is our hope that whatever we agree here will come into fruition.

“Your coming here as the IFAW leadership is an indication of the commitment that you have towards the journey that we are beginning together in partnership for the conservation.

“As you are aware, ZimParks has the mandate for wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe and our activities are not necessarily confined to the protected area networking spanning over five million hectares which is 13 percent of the landmark of Zimbabwe, but it extends into communal areas where we are implementing the Campfire programme as well as other programmes that are at various stages of development committing over 26 percent of Zimbabwe’s land area to wildlife and habitat conservation,” he said.

IFAW chief executive Mr Azzedine Downes said the partnership between ZimParks and IFAW represents a fundamental step for the advancement of wildlife conversation in Zimbabwe.

“ZimParks and IFAW will be working together in the Hwange-Matetsi ecosystem covering the iconic Hwange, Zambezi and Victoria Falls national parks, a designated UNESCO natural world heritage site and adjoining community areas.”