At our recent Bushlife Conservancy board meeting, I shared encouraging news about Tusker—his wound appears to be healing well. The injury is slowly closing, and he’s far less agitated than he was in the early days when he was frequently throwing dust and blowing on it.

For a fascinating behind-the-scenes look, don’t miss this 3-minute YouTube video showing the team working together to gently pull Tusker onto the correct side while sedated to clean the wound. It’s an incredible moment of teamwork and care—listen closely and you’ll hear Desiree giving guidance and instructions from behind the camera. Watch the video here.

In other exciting news from the bush, Violet and her painted wolf pack—currently 8 adults—have been spotted with at least 5 healthy puppies, a promising sign for the population. A second pack of at least 10 African wild dogs has also been seen nearby, just off the floodplain, adding to the growing hope for the future of this endangered species.

Warm regards,
Nick Murray
Founder, Bushlife Conservancy

A Fable from Freedom

As longtime readers of our newsletter know, Freedom has an incredible way with words. He has written a wonderful fable that illustrates what the Bushlife Support Unit team tries to teach every day in the Zambezi Valley. "Balance: A Tale of Two Worlds" is based on an actual event of human-wildlife conflict that occurred in the boundary communities a few years ago:

""In a country such as Zimbabwe,  habitat and species diversify, across a full spectrum— from montane forests to the Kalahari. Here in the heart of rural Chundu lies Gombajiti, a small village nestled between Mana Pools Southern Boundary and Mukwishi Conservancy. Villagers, mostly farmers, lived off the land, growing crops and raising livestock. However, as the human population grew, so did the conflict between humans and wildlife...READ MORE".

Human-Elephant Coexistence: An Ongoing Challenge in the Zambezi Valley

As Freedom's fable shows, human-wildlife conflict remains an ongoing and deeply complex issue in communities bordering the Zambezi Valley. As elephants increasingly move into human settlements in search of food, the damage to crops and livelihoods continues to rise.

Our team on the ground reports recent incidents involving elephants destroying banana plantations and vegetable gardens and competing directly with people for maize and sorghum harvests. In one village alone, 3 separate herds have been identified: a breeding herd of up to 10 elephants and 2 bachelor herds. This not only fuels tension between humans and elephants but has also ignited conflict between community members themselves.

To address the situation, non-lethal deterrent methods are being actively deployed. These include chili bricks, metal strip barriers, fireworks, and night patrols. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely and engage with local communities to explore sustainable coexistence strategies. Your support enables us to remain proactive in responding to these critical challenges on the ground.

Strengthening Patrol Efforts with New Recruits

To expand our reach and enhance protection across critical areas, a group of trainee rangers has been temporarily deployed to Mana Pools, Chewore, and Marongora. These new recruits are already making an impact, actively supporting anti-poaching operations.

During recent patrols, the teams successfully recovered numerous wire snares near Chirundu and confiscated illegal gold panning equipment along the boundaries of Chewore and Mana. Their presence is helping us cover more ground, respond more quickly to threats, and protect both wildlife and habitat more effectively.

We are encouraged by their early efforts and grateful for your support in enabling this essential work on the frontlines of conservation.

Mana Pools River Teams Update

Our river-based patrol teams in Mana Pools have reported no poaching incidents during this period. Water availability remains relatively stable, with many pans holding between 80% and 90% capacity.

However, wildlife sightings remain lower than usual, likely due to unseasonal rains and a drop in temperature, which have influenced animal movement patterns. The teams continue to monitor conditions closely and maintain a strong presence along the riverfront.

The Tusker Ranger Fund (TRF) pays for our boots-on-the-ground operations, including staff wages and the costs of operating vehicles that are key in maintaining an anti-poaching presence in Mana Pools National Park and adjacent areas. Members of the TRF donate $100 per month or $1200 per year or more. No elephants have been killed by poachers in Mana Pools since 2019, so it’s important to maintain this vigil as poaching is still an issue in nearby areas.

We love showcasing our supporters' images—if you have photos you'd like to share, please email them to us. Thank you to Barbara for sharing this wonderful photo of Tusker. Not a TRF member yet? Please get in touch and we can tell you more.