Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit June 2026 Update
The poaching threat continues to rear its ugly head in our beautiful Victoria Falls landscape.
The bush is drying out fast and with it comes the annual movement of animals closer to town and within reach of the permanent water sources on offer. This congregation makes them an easier target for poachers who use this time of year to capitalise on the increased wildlife.
Whilst we have had a relatively peaceful month within our primary focal areas, poachers have been active further afield. This is an unfortunate inevitability. With better protection in one area, poachers simply move to another area and target the wildlife there. This is a constant battle we face as an anti-poaching unit, deciding where to patrol and focus our efforts.
In an ideal world we would love to increase the size of our team and with it the area under our protection. However, until such a time that we can achieve this, we need to predict the movements of the poachers and expand our reach without leaving too much of a hole behind us.
This has become a priority of ours this month after dealing with several cases of animals in need of rescue who have come into our focal area, but picked up the snares deeper into the Park.
One particular case saw the discovery of a buffalo bull with a tight wire snare around its face. In a fantastic show of unity, members of Zim Parks, VFAPU, Vic Falls Wildlife Trust, Impi Horse Mounted Unit and professional guides rallied together to help this poor animal.
He was successfully darted and the snare removed, but it was clear that he had been carrying this burden for some time. The wound was deep, with significant scar tissue implying that he had picked it up a while ago, but has only been discovered recently as he moves closer to town with the shifting seasons.
With that said, we continue to be blessed with abundant wildlife within the corridors of our City. Elephants are starting to make an appearance within the streets and the warthogs have descended onto the lush green verges of our neighbourhoods. This is an asset that we MUST preserve!
STATISTICS
Still a significantly number of snares recovered this month. The vast majority of these targeting guinea fowl and other small animals. These are generally set up in bulk so as to maximise the chances of a successful catch.
With that said, we have also recovered a number of older snares that have been stashed in the bush. With the vegetation thinning out and visibility getting easier, these snares get exposed. Whilst they do not pose a major threat when they are hidden, it does tell a story of the intention of those that put them there. A reminder that poaching will always be a threat to our wildlife.
For the second month in a row, we have reacted to animals in need of rescue.
The first, an old buffalo bull mention above. Found by VFAPU Rangers on a routine patrol, but ultimately rescued by an incredible display of unity of purpose to save our wildlife.
Whilst his injuries were bad, he is expected to make a full recovery.
Carcasses Discovered: 2
Cause of Death: 1 Lioness, caught and killed by a snare.
1 juvenile male impala, died of natural causes..
The second rescue does not have a happy ending.
VFAPU Rangers assisted to an alert of a female lion with a snare around her neck, dragging the cable. Following the lead of the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, our team assisted with trying to locate her and aid in the rescue.
As darkness fell, she was spotted close to the road in the company of a male, with the snare clearly visible. The Wildlife Trust jumped into action and she was successfully darted.
Fortunately, the snare, whilst tight, had not broken the skin. However, she was dragging about 2 meters of cable which would have inevitably become tangled and potentially fatal. The Wildlife Trust Research team used the opportunity to fit a GPS tracking collar to further their understanding of her movements and activities.
We rejoiced as she woke up from the anaesthetic, free from her burden and able to continue with her life. Sadly, this was short lived. Thanks to the GPS tracking collar the Wildlife Trust team reacted to an immobility alert just 3 days later. Sadly, she had succumbed to another snare. This time unable to snap it off the tree, dying in the most horrific way possible.
This is not just any lioness, this is the last remaining daughter of the famous hippo creek lioness that was slaughtered by poachers in March 2025. Her sister, killed in December 2025 and now her. The end of a bloodline, wiped out by snares. A tragic loss and a significant blow to conservation.
The big win for us this month came from an intelligence led bust of an individual caught in possession of pangolin scales. Following his arrest, a second suspect was picked up in connection with the case. This is still an active case with further investigations underway.
However, it does highlight the underworld dealing and trafficking of wildlife parts. This is a major threat to our animals, with pangolins in particular considered the most trafficked animal in the world. It is a great concern of ours that Victoria Falls with its porous land borders and international airport could be a hub for the sale and distribution of these illegally obtained contraband.
This win further shines a light on how important intelligence is in countering this illegal trade. The length and breadths that suspects go to conceal their products and their crimes is immense, and only with robust intelligence can we hope to be a force for good against this threat.
