Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit July 2026 Update
It’s been an odd sort of month in July. The bush has been relatively peaceful with little threat detected. However, we have been kept rather busy within the community, reacting to information relating to the sale of bush meat. This means one of two things. Either poaching is happening within our midst and we just aren’t detecting it, or it is happening further afield with the meat shipped to Vic Falls to be sold. Whilst we are our own biggest critics, and immediately look within, I tend to think it’s the latter.
As always, a big indicator of ours of the poaching threat is the number of animals that require rescuing. When snaring is the primary method of hunting, there will inevitably be those animals which manage to break free. Escaping certain death anchored to a tree, but left with a tight restriction that causes long term pain and suffering. These animals just aren’t there when they used to be before. Key to this, is that such distressed wildlife is more often than not detected by a Good Samaritan, someone who just happens to see it and report it in. Thankfully, this is not a common occurrence!
Information gained from people that have been arrested also suggests that the meat is being sourced outside of our traditional patrol areas. Whilst this is a good thing, and testament to the pressure we have been able to apply in Vic Falls
STATISTICS
A big drop in the number of snares recovered this month. 7 of these snares came from one incident involving two poached guinea fowl. The team questioned a suspicious person exiting the bush with a backpack. This is always a cause for concern.
Upon searching, they found nothing of note other than a few guinea fowl feathers at the bottom of the bag.
Trained in interrogation, the team pressed for a reason. The accused, who did not want any trouble advised that the bag was not his, but would take us to the owner.
Long story short, and 3 people later, two arrests were made. Recovering two guinea fowl carcasses and 7 snares set in the bush, poised take the life of another innocent victim.
We are always happy to see a zero in this statistic column. No animals detected this month in need of rescue.
Carcasses Discovered: 18
Cause of Death: 13 Guinea Fowl killed by poachers
Buffalo meat recovered in two incidents
1 Adult Male Buffalo hit by the train
1 Sub-Adult Male Kudu died of natural causes.
1 Python- cause of death unknown.
Sadly, the carcass discovered stat is incredibly high for the month. The bulk of the carcasses discovered were for guinea fowl. These iconic birds have been a major target over the last few months. The incredible rains received have caused a boom for seed eaters, with guinea fowl in particular doing very well.
Besides the two carcasses mentioned above, a further 11 were recovered during one of our bigger arrests of the month. For almost 3 weeks, the team had been gathering information about guinea fowl meat being sold on mass. It is believed that twice a week, a 50kg sack of dressed birds was making its way to Vic Falls and being sold. This is an estimated 80-100 birds a week!
When information was received that the suspect was now selling, the team pounced. As a testament to how much game meat is in demand, when the arrest took place, only 11 birds were left. The accused having sold the bulk of the meat in the 2 hours previously.
Regardless, it was a good win and sent a strong message!
Sadly, one of the most under discussed threats facing our wildlife is deaths caused by road and rail. Daily, our transportation industry accounts for significant loss of animal life.
This was on full display in July with an adult male buffalo being hit and killed by the train on the outskirts of Victoria Falls.
At the time of discovery by our team, the carcass was now several days old. There was clear evidence that humans had cut at the remains, obviously hoping to find the meat still usable. Sadly, the level of decay was too much, the carcass was abandoned to the scavengers.
Firewood continues to dominate our arrests statistic, and July saw a significant increase. The winter cold made its major appearance during the month and as such, the increase is to be expected.
Of great concern is the number of arrests made where live trees have been chopped down. Usually, this means the timber is required for something other than firewood. However, we are now of the opinion that the firewood demand has exceeded the natural dead wood being produced by the ecosystem. This is a big worry, as the felling of live trees for firewood will cause significant damage to our landscape and the forests that surround the City. We are actively engaging with the authorities to get on top of this issue.
With relative peace in the bush, our teams have spent much of the month infiltrating the community to understand the supply of wildlife products. This strategy is to further understand the challenge we face and how better to address it.
As mentioned above, bush meat continues to be a major commodity supplied within the community. However, we are confident that the majority of this is being sourced outside of Victoria Falls.
Four separate operations were conducted during the month which targeted individuals in possession of bush meat. Guinea Fowl dominated the species targeted and two of the arrests saw suspects apprehended for their crimes. The remaining two operations found suspects in possession of buffalo meat. The first had 28 bundles of dried meat and the second had 21 bundles. Apportioned out into $1 quantities and actively being sold.
Again, whilst we are confident that these animals were killed outside of Victoria Falls, the sale of the meat in our City fuels the demand. As with all poaching, it is the demand that determines the level of threat. When the product is sought after, then the threat is greater.
Removing the source of the meat, and disrupting the illegal channels, helps greatly in combating the ultimate poaching. Much work has already been done over the years to target kitchens and butcheries, many of who have opted out of selling bush meat. This has forced the seller to do it on an individual basis at a greater risk to themselves.
Each win like this further hinders the supply chain, and makes it harder for the meat to reach the market. Whilst we continue to enjoy a relatively peaceful period in Vic Falls, it is evident that animals are being poached on a large scale outside of our main operational areas. Our hope is to greatly expand our team, and thus expand the footprint we have, and the protection that is offered. We will not rest until all of our precious wildlife is safe!
