By Admore Mbonda, Kariba
ZIMBABWE has begun relocating selected plains game species to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea under a Government-to-Government conservation agreement, a move Zimbabwe says is intended to support wildlife recovery, strengthen biodiversity in Central Africa, and build long-term ecological and economic resilience.
According to a statement released yesterday by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), the translocation programme follows a formal request from Equatorial Guinea seeking technical support to replenish wildlife populations within its protected areas.
ZimParks spokesperson Luckmore Safuli said the relocation will be carried out only after scientific scrutiny and environmental checks confirm that release sites can sustainably support the animals being transferred.
“Wildlife experts conducted ecological and habitat suitability assessments, which confirmed that the intended release sites are suitable for the animals and would contribute to long-term conservation, ecotourism development and sustainable community livelihoods,” Mr Safuli said.
He added that the species involved are drawn from “healthy and sustainable” Zimbabwean populations and are considered common plains game.
Mr Safuli said the programme has been designed to ensure the operation will not compromise Zimbabwe’s own biodiversity or wildlife numbers.
Scientific assessments, he said, were used to confirm that the exercise would not negatively affect Zimbabwe’s ecological integrity or national wildlife populations.
Mr Safuli further stated that no threatened or endangered species are part of the transfer.
To ensure welfare and compliance, he said Zimbabwean authorities have engaged experienced wildlife professionals to manage capture, handling, and transportation in line with Zimbabwean law, internationally accepted animal welfare standards, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals Regulations.
The ZimParks spokesperson said the initiative reflects Zimbabwe’s continued commitment to responsible wildlife management and cross-border cooperation particularly collaborations with African partners focused on practical conservation outcomes.
“Zimbabwe remains committed to responsible wildlife management and collaboration with other African countries in promoting practical conservation solutions that support resilient ecosystems and sustainable development,” Mr Safuli said.
He stressed that the operation is lawful, professionally planned, and carefully executed, noting that ZimParks will continue to provide accurate information regarding matters of national conservation interest.
The translocation, Zimbabwe’s wildlife authorities say, is therefore being presented not as a transfer of “wildlife stock,” but as a conservation intervention tied to scientific assessment, regulated animal welfare practices, and diplomatic cooperation aimed at restoring biodiversity in Equatorial Guinea.
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