According to Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe must fight poaching through teamwork between local, regional, and international groups. The Environment and Wildlife Patron shared her thoughts during World Wildlife Day events held Monday in Harare. The celebration focused on money for wildlife protection and the theme of investing in people and the planet. Dr. Mnangagwa continues to push for the protection of animals at risk of dying out completely.
Pangolins need special protection under CITES rules because they face serious survival threats worldwide. Recently, Headman Clive Makusha Chimbi from Mvuma gave a female pangolin to Dr. Mnangagwa for safe transfer to Zimbabwe Parks authorities. The pangolin was pregnant when presented and gave birth the next day. Both mother and baby pangolin appeared during the celebration where the First Lady could see them. These animals hold deep value in local culture and traditions.
Everyone at the event thanked the First Lady for teaching communities about protecting nature. They noted how her work led Headman Chimbi to travel far just to deliver such a protected animal. People celebrate World Wildlife Day each March 3rd to honor wild plants and animals. Dr. Mnangagwa spent time with students from schools around the country during these events to help them learn about nature.
She asked kids questions about wild animals to expand their knowledge about wildlife habits and homes. When one student claimed lions eat grass without prey, Dr. Mnangagwa gently corrected him, explaining lions eat only meat. Her speech explained how World Wildlife Day follows United Nations guidance recognizing the value of wildlife for sustainable growth. CITES organizes these yearly events worldwide.
Zimbabwe follows CITES rules for legally trading wildlife across borders. Dr. Mnangagwa stressed that protecting wildlife costs a lot of money and requires help beyond the government alone. She said the 2025 celebration reminds everyone about working together against those who hunt protected animals illegally. February 15th marked both World Pangolin Day and World Hippopotamus Day, honoring two species needing special protection.
Zimbabwe reports growing hippo numbers but keeps pangolins under strict protection laws. These scaly animals face heavy illegal hunting worldwide. Dr. Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to guard their pangolins carefully. She explained how Zimbabwe watches closely over animals facing extinction risks or those that might become endangered without careful management. The country contains amazing wildlife variety throughout its lands.
The huge elephant population creates problems despite bringing pride to Zimbabwe. With over 85,000 elephants living in areas meant for 45,000, ecosystems suffer damage. These large animals killed more than 290 people during the past five years and injured many others. They destroyed over 2,000 farm animals, plus crops and property. Dr. Mnangagwa emphasized the need to reduce wild elephant numbers for safety reasons.
International rules against selling elephant products make these problems harder to solve. The First Lady explained that trading elephants and ivory matches their constitution, which says natural resources should benefit citizens. Zimbabwe ensures that wildlife harvesting stays sustainable, safe, and legal and follows international rules. Recent biodiversity meetings held in Colombia and Italy focused on finding money for conservation efforts.
Dr. Mnangagwa urged the implementation of global biodiversity agreements since losing animals threatens both nature and humans. She called for teamwork across all economic areas to help fund wildlife protection. Local communities play crucial roles in conservation efforts, and wildlife brings income to rural areas. As President Mnangagwa often states, this supports national economic growth without leaving places or people behind.
The Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill reaches its final stages and helps fix problems found by police and courts. It protects local community rights and traditional uses of resources. Dr. Mnangagwa thanked partners who fund training programs across Matabeleland North, Zambezi Valley, and South East Lowveld. Zimbabwe parks work with police, tax officials, and border agents to share information and catch poachers through special crime units. The First Lady concluded that modern criminal groups require stronger legal systems with clear prosecution processes.
Pangolins need special protection under CITES rules because they face serious survival threats worldwide. Recently, Headman Clive Makusha Chimbi from Mvuma gave a female pangolin to Dr. Mnangagwa for safe transfer to Zimbabwe Parks authorities. The pangolin was pregnant when presented and gave birth the next day. Both mother and baby pangolin appeared during the celebration where the First Lady could see them. These animals hold deep value in local culture and traditions.
Everyone at the event thanked the First Lady for teaching communities about protecting nature. They noted how her work led Headman Chimbi to travel far just to deliver such a protected animal. People celebrate World Wildlife Day each March 3rd to honor wild plants and animals. Dr. Mnangagwa spent time with students from schools around the country during these events to help them learn about nature.
She asked kids questions about wild animals to expand their knowledge about wildlife habits and homes. When one student claimed lions eat grass without prey, Dr. Mnangagwa gently corrected him, explaining lions eat only meat. Her speech explained how World Wildlife Day follows United Nations guidance recognizing the value of wildlife for sustainable growth. CITES organizes these yearly events worldwide.
Zimbabwe follows CITES rules for legally trading wildlife across borders. Dr. Mnangagwa stressed that protecting wildlife costs a lot of money and requires help beyond the government alone. She said the 2025 celebration reminds everyone about working together against those who hunt protected animals illegally. February 15th marked both World Pangolin Day and World Hippopotamus Day, honoring two species needing special protection.
Zimbabwe reports growing hippo numbers but keeps pangolins under strict protection laws. These scaly animals face heavy illegal hunting worldwide. Dr. Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to guard their pangolins carefully. She explained how Zimbabwe watches closely over animals facing extinction risks or those that might become endangered without careful management. The country contains amazing wildlife variety throughout its lands.
The huge elephant population creates problems despite bringing pride to Zimbabwe. With over 85,000 elephants living in areas meant for 45,000, ecosystems suffer damage. These large animals killed more than 290 people during the past five years and injured many others. They destroyed over 2,000 farm animals, plus crops and property. Dr. Mnangagwa emphasized the need to reduce wild elephant numbers for safety reasons.
International rules against selling elephant products make these problems harder to solve. The First Lady explained that trading elephants and ivory matches their constitution, which says natural resources should benefit citizens. Zimbabwe ensures that wildlife harvesting stays sustainable, safe, and legal and follows international rules. Recent biodiversity meetings held in Colombia and Italy focused on finding money for conservation efforts.
Dr. Mnangagwa urged the implementation of global biodiversity agreements since losing animals threatens both nature and humans. She called for teamwork across all economic areas to help fund wildlife protection. Local communities play crucial roles in conservation efforts, and wildlife brings income to rural areas. As President Mnangagwa often states, this supports national economic growth without leaving places or people behind.
The Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill reaches its final stages and helps fix problems found by police and courts. It protects local community rights and traditional uses of resources. Dr. Mnangagwa thanked partners who fund training programs across Matabeleland North, Zambezi Valley, and South East Lowveld. Zimbabwe parks work with police, tax officials, and border agents to share information and catch poachers through special crime units. The First Lady concluded that modern criminal groups require stronger legal systems with clear prosecution processes.
