The Zambezi Valley is hot and dry at the moment, and wildlife sightings have been exciting. Lions are plentiful, and we have had frequent sightings of a new month-old new baby elephant that we’ve named Kushinga—meaning “brave” in Shona.

Mana Pools' most iconic elephant, Boswell, has unfortunately developed swelling in his back left leg. Zimparks Chief Veterinarian Columbas Chaitezvi has assessed him, and while the injury is uncomfortable, it isn’t life threatening as Boswell is still able to walk. He’s being closely monitored, and we’re hopeful it will heal naturally.

On the wild dog front, the Nayakasanga pack sadly has no surviving puppies this year, likely because Wandile, the beta female, denned too early in February. On a brighter note, the new Chirewe pack is thriving with 11 pups after denning in June.

As mentioned in our last update, several NGO projects came to an end last month, creating a gap in resources for Zimparks. We are doing our best to help bridge that gap and ensure critical conservation work continues. Please read Freedom's update to see the breadth and depth of our initiatives. 

Thank you, as always, for your steadfast support. It truly makes a difference to keep our "boots-on-the-ground."

Warm regards,
Nick Murray

Anti-Poaching Updates

• Rangers discovered a dead elephant in Chitake with its ivory still intact. We intend to evaluate the carcass for evidence of bullets or poisoning because we aren’t sure how it was killed, whether by natural causes or by poachers.  

• A poaching gang using dogs and spears was intercepted; two suspects were arrested with buffalo meat.

• Patrol teams are active along the river, preventing Zambian fishermen from illegally entering Mana Pools.

Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC)

As the dry season continues and water sources become scarcer, incidents of HWC are on the rise:

• Elephants have raided crops in Murimbika (Ward 7).
• Lions and hyenas killed 11 livestock in August alone.
• Bushlife, together with Zimparks, Council, and Akashinga,are distributing chili bricks, fireworks, and metal strip deterrents to help farmers protect their fields and livestock. Awareness programs are ongoing.

Zambezi Valley Community Sports Gala

Last month, rangers, community leaders, and conservation partners came together for the Zambezi Valley Sports Gala. The event celebrated unity, shared purpose, and the vital role communities play in protecting wildlife. Zimparks Senior Regional Manager addressed the gathering, reminding everyone of recent ranger recruitments from local villages—a powerful step in building pride and opportunity while strengthening conservation efforts.

Mana Pools Southern Boundary Update

Our permanent ranger presence is paying off. Wildlife is returning in numbers, with lions, hyenas, painted dogs, and leopards spotted once again. While zebra and kudu numbers have dipped—likely due to predator activity—the overall ecosystem is thriving.

• Monitoring & Protection: Scouts are tracking lion movements to prevent conflict with nearby villages, and veterinarians are on standby should translocations be needed.

• Waterhole Activity: Herds of elephants, baboons, and flocks of guineafowl have been seen at key water points, highlighting the area’s recovery.

• Future Plans: Newly recruited rangers will continue patrols, combat poaching, and build strong ties with surrounding communities.

Veldfires

Sadly, veldfires in Kazangarare (Ward 9) claimed the lives of two elderly community members and destroyed grazing land. Zimparks and local communities fought for 4 days to contain the blaze. Another fire near Chitake and Mvuramechi was successfully halted thanks to recent road clearing efforts.

As we enter the fall and winter “Giving Season,” we’re grateful for the generosity of our donors—both those who give monthly and those who contribute annually. Remarkably, two-thirds of our yearly budget is raised through our annual matching campaign.

This year’s campaign runs from October 1 through January 9, and we’re thrilled to have two anonymous donors already committed to providing dollar-for-dollar match challenge funds. To build on their generosity, we’re looking for more supporters willing to pledge match challenge gifts.

If you’d like to join our match challenge team, please email info@bushlife-conservancy.org