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Tusker and Nick
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Message from BC President Nick Murray |
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Update from the Valley
It’s been a busy few weeks on the ground. We’ve had regular sightings of Boswell and Tusker—both in good condition—and lots of elephants crossing the river. Lions have been active throughout the area, especially around Chitake and along the floodplain.
Thanks to the support of each and every donor, our teams remain in the field every day, keeping pressure on poachers and maintaining a strong presence - read below for more details from Freedom on our anti-poaching methods as well as recent photos from their work.
Charles Hanemann and I will be hosting a short Zoom call from Vundu Camp for Tusker Ranger Fund (TRF) members on Saturday, July 26, where we’ll share more updates, unveil the 2025 TRF plaque, and take any questions you might have. If you’re not yet part of the TRF, now’s a great time to join.
Warm regards,
Nick Murray
Founder, Bushlife Conservancy
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Notes from the Field:
BSU Senior Manager Nkululeko “Freedom” Hlongwane
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Smart Tracking, Timeless Instincts: How We Monitor & Protect Mana’s Wildlife
At Bushlife Conservancy, our anti-poaching strategy is a blend of traditional bushcraft and modern tools–carefully adapted to the terrain of the Zambezi Valley. While we do not currently use drones, several rangers have been trained on their use, and there are plans to incorporate this tool soon. Our teams remain vigilant, innovative, and effective.
Our rangers are trained to read the signs of the bush such as the circling of vultures in the sky or broken branches off a beaten track. These natural indicators play a critical role in guiding our teams to potential carcasses or suspicious activity.
We also use GPS-collared elephants, such as our iconic bulls Boswell, Tusker, and Impi, as part of our protection strategy. Each morning, the operations team downloads their movement data and shares it with patrol units, allowing us to anticipate their paths and monitor them.
Seasonal movements are another key factor. As water becomes scarce during the dry season, as it is now, animals are drawn to the floodplains. Our rangers respond accordingly, focusing patrols around these vulnerable areas where wildlife density–and poaching risk–increases.
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Boots-on-the-ground conservation combining smart strategy and bush instinct
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As walking safaris are allowed in Mana Pools, professional safari guides also serve as extra eyes and ears on the ground, alerting us to concerns while escorting guests. It’s a powerful example of tourism and conservation working hand in hand.
We’ve also deployed camera traps at known entry points along the southern boundary and river patrols help monitor the Zambezi border with Zambia. Every patrol logs its movement with GPS, marking sightings, carcasses, and high-risk zones to help us refine our strategy and stay one step ahead.
With your support, these boots-on-the-ground efforts continue to evolve. They are making a tangible difference–for elephants, wild dogs, and every creature that calls Mana home.
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Photos from the Field:
BSU Senior Manager Nkululeko “Freedom” Hlongwane
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Chitake Patrol Success: Early morning patrols along the Chitake River, a known poacher entry point to Mana Pools and Phundundu, report no intrusions in the last 10 days. Villagers use dogs and torches to hunt bushbuck and kudu at night.
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Elephant Safety Education: Ongoing awareness programs are conducted for school children, some of whom travel over 10km one way to attend school.
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Anti-Poaching Success: Extensive patrols in Chewore South Kapirinengu show zero signs of poaching, with only one elephant mortality from last year's drought.
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Wildlife Incident: Three buffaloes (two females and a calf) died after falling into a deep rocky gorge.
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Post-Harvest Awareness: Awareness campaigns started in Ward 7, now in Ward 8 and moving to Ward 9 next week, focus on livestock predation and water scarcity driving wildlife into communities.
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Infrastructure Recovery: Roads are reopened after heavy rains destroyed river crossings, improving access for conservation deployments.
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Join Us for a Live Update from Vundu Camp!
We’re excited to invite TRF members to a special Zoom call hosted by Bushlife Conservancy President Nick Murray and board member Charles Hanemann, live from Vundu Camp on Saturday, July 26. During this call, we’ll unveil the 2025 Tusker Ranger Fund (TRF) plaque, share important field updates, express our thanks to members, and answer any questions you may have.
The TRF is critical to our conservation mission, and it funds our essential boots-on-the-ground operations, including ranger salaries and vehicle patrols that help protect Mana Pools and surrounding areas from poaching. If you’re not yet a TRF member, now is a great time to join. A contribution of $100/month or $1,200/year helps sustain this vital work.
Sign up today and be part of the frontline in conservation!
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A beautiful male lion caught on camera by TRF supporter Anne (Nancy) Randall
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Nick Murray, President Beth Brock, Treasurer Ed Callen, Secretary
Board Members: Alison Nolting, Mara Perkins, Charles Hanemann
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