What challenges does African wildlife face beyond poaching?

African wildlife faces multiple threats beyond poaching, including the illegal bushmeat trade, illicit logging, fish poaching, slash-and-burn agriculture, livestock grazing, and human–wildlife conflict, which often harm ecosystems even more severely than poaching.

Zimbabwe

Guides Against Poaching: An Introduction

Q: Why did GAP start by removing telephone wire?

Old telephone wires were being repurposed by poachers to create snares. Guides Against Poaching began by clearing these wires to prevent the unnecessary injury and death of wild animals around Hwange National Park.

Q: How does GAP support communities?

GAP supports conservation by training local guides and working alongside communities across Zimbabwe, helping them protect wildlife while benefiting from sustainable projects.

Staff Writer

06 Apr 2023 — 2 min read

John Laing, Director of Guides Against Poaching (GAP), explains how the initiative began by removing old telephone wire once used by poachers to make snares along the Hwange National Park boundary in Zimbabwe.

From Small Start to National Movement

What started as a local effort to clear snares has grown into a nationwide support group for conservation projects. Today, GAP works alongside communities and park authorities to strengthen anti-poaching operations and protect Zimbabwe’s wildlife.

Empowering Communities

A key part of GAP’s mission is ensuring that local people are engaged and benefit from conservation. By supporting field guides and community projects, the organization helps transform the fight against poaching into a collaborative national effort.

FAQs

Q1: What is the 30/30 Biodiversity Plan?
The 30/30 Plan, launched by the Campaign for Nature, aims to protect 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030.

Q2: Why did GAP start by removing telephone wire?
Old telephone wires were being used by poachers to create snares. Clearing them saved countless wild animals from injury or death.

Q3: How does GAP support communities?
GAP trains local guides and partners with conservation projects nationwide, ensuring communities are directly involved in anti-poaching efforts.

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