Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit September 2026 Update
This has been a month of ups and downs. The landscape has changed drastically as temperatures begin to climb and the bush has thinned out immensely. This signals the busy season for anti-poaching. Animals congregate around dwindling resources and become and easier target for poachers.
Sadly, this has proved true over the last month with the unit recording several incursions as well as the loss of animal life to poachers. However, we have reacted well and managed to make some significant arrests. Bringing those that would cause our animals harm, to justice.
We take all losses personally, and continually strive to keep that the number at zero. However, we are also conscious of that fact there will always be a threat, as long as people and animals live in close proximity, poaching will remain.
With that said, we are proud of what has been achieved over the last 12 months or so. The threat is down, and animals are abundant within the wildlife corridors of our Wild City. Long may this be the case!
None of this would be possible without the incredible support and contributions we get from a wide range of supporters. This is what keeps the wheels turning and the boots on the ground. Without this, we would not exist and there would be far fewer animals to share our home with. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Of special note is the 24th annual Anti-Poaching Golf Day which occurred on the 18th September in Harare. This incredible annual event is a major fundraiser of ours, with this year being bigger and better than ever.
A massive thank you goes out to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and the entire Victoria Falls Safari Collection team for being the founders/organisers and host of this amazing event.
For those that may not know. Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a part founder of the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit. They invested in the team’s first 3 rangers back in 1999. For over 27 years, they have been contribution each and every month to the vital protection work underway in our City. We thank you and are deeply appreciative of you.
STATISTICS
It was a busier month than what we have been accustomed to with multiple incursions and threats detected across the 114 patrols conducted. However, with the drying out bush and congregating of animals. This is to be expected. What is of note, is that of the incursions detected, we secured arrests for a good number of these threats. One win having been in the works for over a year.
The vast majority of these snares where 56 small wire traps set by a single individual attempting to catch small prey such as rabbits and guinea fowl. Thankfully, this individual has been arrested and convicted and will not be causing any harm to our animals anytime soon.
The remainder of the snares recovered were larger, targeting bigger game in the form of impala, kudu and buffalo. Fortunately, none of these snares were set, and had been stashed by the poachers for use at a later stage. Most were old, having been previously covered by vegetation, but now exposed with the bush having thinned out.
A bit of a strange rescue this past month. Rangers reacted to a male bushbuck that can got tangled in a wire fence. The team reacted quickly with the intention of untangling the animal and setting it free.
However, on arrival, it became clear that this animal also had a snare around its chest. The snare was old, and the skin had mostly grown over the tight wire.
The vets were quickly called and after a bit of field surgery, the snare was safely removed. This must have been incredibly painful and uncomfortable for this poor animal. Living with this restriction around its chest for several months.
The rescue was a success and the animal is expected to make a full recovery. However, the incident is a stark reminder of just how awful snares can be.
Carcasses Discovered: 1 adult kudu
1 adult buffalo
2 adult warthogs
Both the kudu and the buffalo perished to predators. Lion and Wild Dog being the culprits.
Sadly, both of the warthog lost their lives due to human interference. The first incident saw the unfortunate warthog get hit by a car on the road to the Zambian border. It was early morning and visibility was not great and a big reason for this unnecessary loss of life.
The second warthog was caught and killed by poachers.
One of our cameras triggered just before midnight. Showing two individuals, laden with backpacks carrying spears.
It took us about 20 minutes to mobilize a unit and get to the scene. Sadly, the poachers were on their way out already and managed to escape in a vehicle before we could get there.
At first light, the team picked up the spoor and back tracked to understand what the poachers had been up to. At this stage we were not aware they had killed a warthog.
However, the experienced trackers quickly found the disturbing scene. There were actually 3 sets of footprints as well as those of several dogs. (it is common for poachers to travel with dogs). The team found a burrow where the warthog was obviously sleeping, blood and significant disturbance around the hole proved that this was the scene of the crime.
A sad and unnecessary loss but a sharp reminder of the ever present threat that our wildlife face. Whilst we did not affect the arrest this time, we will. It’s only a matter of time.
We did however make some significant arrests during the month.
Our first major win for the period is one that is particularly rewarding for us. We became aware of a gang of poachers travelling from the community near the airport, through the forest and ultimately quite deep into Chamabonda. Specifically over the full moon period. Their target is impala, kudu, warthog and other similar species and their primary weapons are dogs, spears and snares.
Whilst there is no evidence to prove it, there have been a number of animals discovered with snares on them that we believe are a result of this gangs antics.
Apprehending such poachers is very challenging. The dogs more often than not give away our position, giving the suspects a chance to flee. But their method of hunting is also very unpredictable. Once in the bush, their movement vary greatly depending on what animals are in the area at the time.
We had many reactions where we missed them. Some were close, others we didn’t even see them. Each time we missed, we learnt a little bit more.
Eventually, piecing all these bits of information together we were able to come up with a plan that worked. Having detected that the poachers had entered the bush, the team set up ambushes along several known routes. In the early hours of the morning, the gang appeared, oblivious to our presence. A pursuit ensued which resulted in the capture of one of the two suspects. The second has not been located and presumed to have fled the area.
After such a long time, the sense of achievement within the team was evident. Many late nights in uncomfortable ambushes had led to this great win. It was also an incredible reminder that patience and dedication pays off and that each miss leaves clues that help us get closer to the suspects.
The second arrest was also quite satisfying. A poacher caught setting snares. The main target being small animals, but each trap having the potential to cause untold horror on many species. The satisfying part of the arrest is who it was, we will call him James.
We had a flurry of arrests last month, most relating to the poaching of guinea fowl. One such arrest of a young man yielded information that he had bought the bird from someone else, James. James was questioned, but without any real evidence he was acquitted of any charges. Whilst we all believed him to be the actual poacher, without any evidence, there is not much we can do.
Fast forward to September. The team find a snare line. Small traps, but a lot of them. A near 5 day ambush commenced. 5 days is a long time for someone to not check their snares. Any animal caught in the first day or two will go rotten of not checked frequently. We were about to abandon the operation and remove the snares.
During the early evening of the final day, a suspect appeared. Unaware of our presence he began to set even more snares. Sadly, with the bush quite thin, he saw us as we began to make our move out of hiding. With a slight head start, he made a dash for it. A foot chase ensued involving electric fences and river crossings, but ultimately he was not match to the athleticism of the team and was arrested. None other than James!
56 snares were ultimately recovered as well as evidence of multiple successful kills of guinea fowl. James is currently serving a prison sentence for his crime.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH
Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit had a bit of a milestone this past period.
Firstly, our work has been recognised in the prestigious Africa Conservation Awards. We have been shortlisted as one of three finalist for the Best Ranger Team in Africa. Up against an incredible team from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who patrol huge tracts of land to protect animals. And an amazing ocean based team from Mozambique who are dedicated to the preservation and protection of coral reefs and the greater marine ecosystem.
We are truly humbled by the recognition and achievement and wish the best of luck to the other finalists.
In addition to this, VFAPU Rangers took part in their very first Wildlife Ranger Challenge in September 2026. Launched during Covid to shine a light on anti-poaching and the need for protection, this challenge has become a continent wide celebration. https://wildliferangerchallenge.org/
Over 125 Ranger Teams from across Africa have spent the last few month competing in a series of challenges. The final challenge being a gruelling 21km run carrying a whopping 22kgs on your back.
A true test of strength and endurance. Well done to all the teams that completed, and special mention to the four tough young men who represented VFAPU, you have done us proud!
