As the Zambezi River dwindles to a trickle, wild animals are ruthlessly slaughtered while they attempt to quench their thirst with the scant water available to them. Amidst this severe drought, crafty poachers exploit the animals’ vulnerability, targeting majestic species such as elephants, giraffes, leopards, lions, and sable antelope, who are left defenseless.
Zimbabwe is experiencing its most severe drought in 40 years.
The now low-flowing Zambezi River, which serves as a critical natural barrier separating Zambia from Zimbabwe, is becoming a lethal trap for wildlife. With the river’s water levels plummeting, ruthless poachers cross the border with ease to “help themselves” to the animals seeking refuge and hydration along one of the last remaining water sources.
It is both devastating and infuriating – but there is a way forward to protect these vulnerable creatures, and we urgently need your assistance to put it into action.
Zimbabwe’s catastrophic drought presents an unprecedented threat to its wildlife from poaching.
Help us establish safe drinking areas for these animals, FAST.
Countless precious wild animals have tragically succumbed to poaching along the parched banks of the Zambezi River.
Recently, Animal Survival International undertook a thorough site survey of Zambezi National Park.
The section of the park adjacent to the Zambezi River has largely dried up due to the current climate crisis and the ongoing effects of the El Niño phenomenon. Tragically, this is one of the worst droughts in Zimbabwe’s recent history.
At present, the Zambezi River is among the very few viable watering holes for thousands of wild creatures – but as the water recedes, poachers find it alarmingly easy to hunt animals as they gather under the blazing African sun in search of a drink.
Compounding their plight, if the animals venture beyond the park’s safety in search of sustenance, they fall prey to opportunistic hunters lying in wait, ready to strike at these unsuspecting, desperate creatures.
These animals are truly being hunted from all angles, and without our intervention, an untold number will perish.
We MUST relocate animals away from these perilous zones, and we MUST do it FAST.
Poachers now find it incredibly easy to cross the shallow river to hunt animals desperate for hydration.
Collaborating with a wildlife organization based in Victoria Falls, we have pinpointed a secure area to provide water for these desperate animals.
Our proposal is to drill boreholes and equip them with solar-powered water pumps.
This initiative will create consistent water sources located at a safe distance from the Zambezi River, effectively shielding animals from poachers who cross the river and hunters lurking on the opposite bank.
To guarantee adequate hydration for thousands of wild animals in the region, we aim to establish three solar-powered boreholes. These waterholes will supply water for at least 2,000 animals per day.
Given the impossibility of securing the border, solar-powered boreholes are crucial for animal protection.
For animals being picked off along the banks of the Zambezi, afar from danger, boreholes will alleviate the life-threatening risk of simply seeking a drink.
With your support, we will drill essential boreholes for the wildlife, continuing the successful initiatives you have helped us establish in Botswana (see below).
Credit : Camelthorn Farmstead
Please assist us in raising $30,000 (approximately £23,400) to install three boreholes and solar-powered pumps, creating safe, plentiful drinking areas for wild animals before poachers decimate their populations.
Thanks to the generous contributions from our supporters, ASI has successfully implemented numerous water initiatives across Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana. These efforts have spared thousands of animal lives, and today, we seek your help to save even more.
Donors who fund an entire borehole system will be entitled to naming rights for the borehole and will receive a commemorative plaque in their name or in honor of a person of their choice.
Each borehole system costs $10,000 (£7,800) to drill and equip with a solar-powered pump. If you’re willing to sponsor a full borehole system, please respond to this email promptly.
Please, give whatever you can to support our cause and safeguard the vulnerable wildlife of Zimbabwe.
**Interview with Dr. Emma Ndoro, Wildlife Conservation Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ndoro. The situation along the Zambezi River is dire, with reports of rampant poaching as wildlife struggles to find water. Can you describe the current state of wildlife in the area?
**Dr. Ndoro:** Thank you for having me. The situation is indeed alarming. Zimbabwe is facing its most severe drought in 40 years, which has led to drastically low water levels in the Zambezi River. This river is a crucial resource for thousands of wild animals, and as it dwindles, these animals, often desperate for hydration, are left vulnerable to poachers. Species like elephants, lions, and giraffes are particularly at risk.
**Editor:** It sounds devastating not only for the animals but also for the ecosystem as a whole. What are the specific methods that poachers are using to exploit this crisis?
**Dr. Ndoro:** Poachers have become increasingly brazen. With the river levels dropping, crossing into Zimbabwe to hunt has never been easier. The animals congregate at the remaining water sources, making them easy targets. The situation is exacerbated by opportunistic hunters who lie in wait beyond the park boundaries, ready to prey on wildlife that ventures outside in search of food.
**Editor:** That’s shocking and incredibly sad. What initiatives are currently being proposed to combat this crisis and protect wildlife?
**Dr. Ndoro:** We have identified a way forward. Collaborating with a dedicated wildlife organization based in Victoria Falls, we propose to drill boreholes equipped with solar-powered water pumps. This plan aims to create safe, consistent water sources away from the Zambezi River, which would significantly reduce the risk of poaching. By providing secure drinking areas, we hope to redirect wildlife away from the river and protect them from poachers.
**Editor:** That sounds like a proactive approach! How can the public get involved to help protect these animals?
**Dr. Ndoro:** There are several ways individuals can contribute. First and foremost, raising awareness is key—sharing this information with your community can help put pressure on decision-makers. Additionally, donations to wildlife protection organizations can directly fund water projects like the boreholes. Every bit helps us provide these precious animals with the hydration they desperately need.
**Editor:** Thank you for illuminating this urgent issue, Dr. Ndoro. It’s clear that immediate action is required to safeguard Zimbabwe’s wildlife. We hope that more people will step forward to assist in this critical time.
**Dr. Ndoro:** Thank you for spreading the word. By working together, we can make a significant difference and protect these magnificent creatures from further harm.
