Wildlife recovery in Zimbabwe: Cameras confirm return of lions and elephants

"In Matetsi Unit 5, these camera traps are quietly getting to work," said Henry Ndaimani, IFAW's Landscape Conservation Manager. "Their deployment marks the start of a baseline survey designed to uncover who truly calls this protected landscape home."

Preliminary data, collected within weeks of deployment, points to an ecosystem showing early signs of recovery. Images confirm the presence of key species, including elephants, buffalo, lions, and leopards.

A landscape in transition

Since 2019, IFAW and its partners have been working to restore and protect this area, supporting both wildlife and the habitats they depend on. The goal is simple, to ensure Matetsi Unit 5 can once again sustain healthy, thriving populations.

This work is also supporting a broader shift in how the area is managed. Once primarily used for hunting, Matetsi Unit 5 is transitioning towards a conservation-focused, photographic tourism model, creating opportunities for more sustainable tourism that benefits both wildlife and local communities.

"Our work is driven by a deep belief in nature's ability to recover when given the chance. By restoring fragile habitats, supporting the return of wildlife, and developing infrastructure that aligns with eco-tourism, we are helping this landscape recover and ensuring it can be protected for future generations," said Ndaimani.

The wider Matetsi Safari Area, named after the river that sustains it, lies between Hwange National Park and the Zambezi River. This positioning makes it a critical corridor for elephants moving between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Looking ahead

"Matetsi plays a critical role in the context of IFAW's Room to Roam initiative," said IFAW Senior Conservation Director Phillip Kuvawoga. "It is an ecosystem worth protecting if we are to support the persistence of migratory species such as elephants."

As a science-led organisation, IFAW continues to use tools such as camera traps and tools like EarthRanger to strengthen monitoring and guide conservation decisions across the Greater Hwange Ecosystem.

As more images come in, they are telling a hopeful story-one of movement, return, and a landscape beginning to recover. With continued protection, Matetsi Unit 5 can once again support thriving wildlife populations for generations to come.