10 March 2020, Mucheni, Zimbabwe - Prudence Mwinde, 21, was bringing her families cattle back from grazing when they were attacked by a lion. The lion killed two of the cows, instantly wiping out 20% of the family assets. Cattle are kept inside a secure kraal to protect them for Lion or Hyena predators at night but they are vulnerable when they are grazing. People in this area are greatly impoverished and the loss of a single cow or goat can be devastating to a family. FAO has recently introduced the use of mobile bomas to the area which may offer another means of security for the animals. There are plans connected to FAO and SWM that would like to see community conservancy come into being once there are more animals in place. The Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation area is home to a great diversity of ecosystems and landscapes. Each year, the area experiences large-scale migrations of megafauna. Whilst rural communities in the Mucheni (Zimbabwe) and Simalaha/ Inyasemu (Zambia) Community Conservancies have distinct cultures and local governments, they depend on hunting and fishing for both food and income. However, livelihoods are threatened by erratic rainfall, poor soils, and human wildlife conflicts.
The SWM Project in KaZa is promoting a sustainable use of natural resources, including wildlife and fisheries, by the Community Conservancies. It is also developing alternative sources of proteins, such as livestock husbandry and aquaculture. The project is being implemented by CIRAD in coordination with the governments of both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Recent activities include: community Land Use Planning; Human Wildlife Conflict strategies; baseline studies (hydrology, ornithology, non-timber forest products, livestock development); data collection (food and wild meat consumption); water resource development (bore holes for people and wildlife); partnerships with local communities; and collaboration with Panthera and the Peace Parks Foundation.