UoG conservation experts undertake critical work to secure future of oldest national park in Zimbabwe

University of Gloucestershire experts are part of a multi-national team taking critical action to restore one of the jewels of the crown in southern African wildlife conservation to its former glory.

Informed by their research work in South Africa, Professor Adam Hart and Professor Anne Goodenough are collaborating with local stakeholders and other conservation experts to develop a management plan for the oldest national park in Zimbabwe, the Matobo Hills National Park, established in 1926.

Famous for its iconic rocky landscape, the Matobo Hills National Park contains many of the world’s best-known animal and bird species, including giraffe, hippo, zebra and hyena.

While the park includes the world’s densest population of leopards and the world’s highest concentration of black eagles, other species in the national park have declined, including many of the antelope vital to the health of the ecosystem, meaning there is a pressing need for on-ground action to reverse this worrying trend.

As all animal species fundamentally depend – directly or indirectly – on vegetation, previous research undertaken by Professor Hart and Professor Goodenough on making vegetation surveying more efficient and effective will form part of the plan for securing and sustaining the future of the Matobo Hills National Park.

Overall, the management plan will look to ensure the long-term sustainability of the National Park by being community focused, striving to conserve habitats, restore wildlife, and preserve the unique landscape and archaeological features. It will also promote research, infrastructure development and an increase in visitor numbers to ensure economic growth.

As part of their work in writing the management plan, Professor Hart and Professor Goodenough carried out an initial fact-finding mission at the national park recently where they gained informed insight and knowledge from experts working on the ground and local stakeholders, including communities, rangers, Zimbabwe National Parks officials, NGOs and tourist guides.

During the visit, Professor Hart and Professor Goodenough – both from the University’s School of Education and Science – visited Hwange National Park and the Victoria Falls area, learning more about the landscapes, tourism, ecology and economics of the area.

Adam Hart, Professor of Science Communication, ecologist, conservation scientist and entomologist, said: “It is massively exciting to be part of the management plan team and strengthening the University’s links with conservation in southern Africa.

“The Matobo Hills are a real jewel in a country that is packed with incredible landscapes and wildlife. It has been an honour to visit, and to experience the genuine love people in the area have for the Matobo Hills National Park.”

Anne Goodenough, Professor in Applied Ecology whose teaching and research interests include monitoring, managing and conserving nature, said “The Matobo Hills National Park is an incredibly special place and everyone we met shares a real passion for the area and a desire to improve the conservation of this, the oldest national park in Zimbabwe.

“Although there is a lot of work to be done, being part of the multi-national team tasked with writing a new management plan is a massive privilege and I am looking forward to the challenge immensely.”

Main image: Professor Anne Goodenough (second left) and Professor Adam Hart (third from left) with members of the Matobo Hills National Park team