Overview of the Symposium
From October 22–23, 2025, Zimbabwe’s Zimbabwe National Parks Authority (ZIMPARKS) hosted an international wildlife conservation symposium to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among biodiversity conservationists, climate scientists, sustainable tourism professionals, and transboundary resource managers. The event gathered experts to discuss current trends, challenges, and opportunities in environmental conservation, while highlighting innovative technologies and community-based solutions for sustainable development.
The symposium served as a high-level platform for exchanging ideas and deepening the understanding of how wildlife conservation intertwines with sustainable development. It emphasized regional collaboration, particularly within shared ecosystems such as the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Trans-Frontier Conservation Area, and explored strategies for water and fisheries management, sustainable tourism, and community-based conservation.
Key Themes and Objectives
Participants examined the links between effective wildlife management and long-term socioeconomic benefits. The program explored governance reforms, strengthened legal frameworks, and innovative financing mechanisms to improve transparency and accountability in conservation projects. Delegates also discussed elevating community and youth voices to ensure local ownership and long-term project success, a core principle of CAMPFIRE-inspired approaches that channel community benefits into local development.
Community-Based Conservation and CAMPFIRE
A central feature of the discussions was people-centric conservation models like CAMPFIRE, which connects regulated trophy hunting revenues to community infrastructure and services. These models demonstrate how conservation and development goals can align when local communities reap tangible benefits from wildlife resources. The symposium showcased conflict mitigation strategies—such as predator-proof enclosures—and initiatives that support students studying wildlife areas, reinforcing the social license to operate for conservation programs.
Regional Collaboration and Shared Ecosystems
With participants from across the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), including countries such as South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana, the symposium underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration. Joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and coordinated management of shared habitats were highlighted as essential tools for reducing poaching, mitigating human-wildlife conflict, and sustaining transboundary ecosystems within KAZA.
Technology, Governance, and Innovative Financing
Technology played a prominent role, featuring tools like Earth Ranger and SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) systems that enhance monitoring, data collection, and decision-making. The event also spotlighted governance innovations and financing models designed to scale conservation efforts. The synergies between technology, policy reform, and community empowerment were presented as crucial levers for effective wildlife management in the region.
Global Partnerships and SDGs
The symposium reinforced Zimbabwe’s leadership in African conservation and aligned national efforts with global sustainability goals, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By showcasing successful conservation-finance models and forging international partnerships, Zimbabwe positioned itself as a pivotal hub for biodiversity preservation, sustainable tourism, and regional development. Ongoing relationships with partners such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), African Parks, Peace Parks, and the Frankfurt Zoological Society were highlighted as beacons of international collaboration and investment.
Outcomes and Future Steps
With more than 100 registered participants from multiple countries, the symposium achieved its objective of expanding networks, sharing best practices, and identifying concrete steps for collaborative action. Zimbabwe and ZIMPARKS signaled continued commitment to community-led conservation, cross-border governance, and strategic financing to sustain biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and improve livelihoods. The event underscored Zimbabwe’s ambition to attract international partnerships and funding to support resilient, people-centered conservation across the region.
Conclusion
By hosting the international wildlife conservation symposium, Zimbabwe reinforced its role as a regional leader in conservation and nature-based development. The event demonstrated how inclusive, data-driven, and community-centered approaches can deliver lasting benefits for wildlife and people alike, while strengthening regional ties within KAZA and beyond.
