Johannesburg – Should you find yourself satisfying your thirst at one of the community boreholes in Hwange District, financed by international hunting revenues, you’ll share in the locals’ immense gratitude for the advantages this practice offers.

The intense heat of Hwange District, Zimbabwe, can be relentless, yet the local communities rise to this natural challenge.

They are eternally thankful for the rich wildlife that attracts international hunters from around the world, with hunting revenues fostering substantial socio-economic growth and conservation efforts.

Hwange National Park is home to the second-largest elephant population in any national park (around 45,000), surpassed only by Botswana’s Chobe National Park (approximately 50,000).

These elephants roam freely between Hwange National Park and local hunting communities such as Lukosi and its adjacent villages.

The hunting communities within Hwange District nurture a distinctive relationship with the region’s diverse and abundant wildlife, which includes lions, buffaloes, leopards, and, of course, elephants.

Funds from international hunting are allocated for hiring community game scouts, effectively curbing wildlife poaching while generating job opportunities for local men and women.

While elephants are often seen wandering into the neighboring villages like Lukosi in search of food and water, their increasing numbers present various challenges.

Hwange National Park, with its elephant overpopulation, is having difficulty providing enough food and water for these majestic animals.

Encounters between elephants and local residents can frequently lead to tense situations, resulting in injuries and even fatalities.

As they search for food, these wandering elephants can wreak havoc, damaging crops, homes, and even water storage facilities.

Nevertheless, the people of Hwange District continue to show unyielding gratitude for elephants and other potentially hazardous species such as buffaloes and lions.

As one villager expressed, they cherish these animals “as long as they keep providing international hunting benefits, which we deeply appreciate.”

“This wildlife, especially elephant hunting, supports our community socio-economically,” commented Londozi Shoko from Lukosi Village in a recent interview.

“The income generated from hunting elephants and other wildlife allows us to build schools and clinics, ultimately enhancing the well-being of our people.”

Costantino Dube, another resident of Lukosi Village, echoed these views.

“The income from international hunting is a boon for everyone in Zimbabwe’s hunting communities, especially in the southern regions, including villages like Lukosi in Hwange District,” he remarked.

He pointed out that international hunting finances essential community projects like roads, bridges, clinics, and medical supplies.

“International hunting revenues can also boost agricultural production by funding irrigation improvements,” Dube added.

“However, we cannot foresee a future without the advantages of international hunting.

“Without wildlife benefits, villagers might turn to poaching—especially the troublesome elephants, who become a significant nuisance if we no longer reap benefits from them.”

Dube also appealed to those advocating for a ban on international hunting to consider relocating Hwange’s elephants to their own countries.

“If international hunting is prohibited, our appreciation for elephants will diminish,” he emphasized.

He underscored the injustice of expecting the communities of Hwange District to shoulder wildlife management costs—especially for destructive elephants—without receiving any corresponding benefits.

“We have plenty of elephants to fuel our development,” he challenged those opposed to international hunting.

“Visit Hwange National Park; you will witness the vast herd of elephants in this area,” Dube stated.

“It is unreasonable for Western nations to dictate how we should manage our wildlife, particularly when we don’t impose our views on their oil drilling, which harms the environment.”

About the Writer: Emmanuel Koro is a Johannesburg-based internationally awarded environmental journalist, writing independently on environmental and developmental issues.