Specially protected species in Zimbabwe’s wetlands under threat
As first appeared in She Corresponds Africa, here. Produced by Mary Mundeya.
February 13 2023
Urbanisation, wildlife crime degrade habitats and disrupt critical ecosystems
The shoebill is a rare bird species living in Zimbabwe’s wetlands. Image by Melissa Askew.
International animal law advocate, Ever Chinoda speaks on the laws that govern Zimbabwe's wetlands and the animals living within. As somebody who grew up around wetlands, she has seen firsthand how they are being destroyed by urbanisation and industrialisation. Speaking to reporter Mary Mundeya, Ever outlined how Zimbabwean laws categorise specially protected animals into mammals and birds. While mammals do not inhabit the wetlands, many specially protected birds can be found in wetlands - hawks, cranes, flamingo, pelicans. But, Ever says, we should not only be concerned about the animals, we should care about the land too.
Watch Mary’s full report below.
This article is reproduced here as part of the African Conservation Journalism Programme, funded in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe by USAID’s VukaNow: Activity. Implemented by the international conservation organisation Space for Giants, it aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Written articles from the Mozambican and Angolan cohorts are translated from Portuguese. Broadcast stories remain in the original language.
