Wildlife of Zimbabwe

The wildlife of Zimbabwe occurs foremost in remote or rugged terrain, in national parks and private wildlife ranches, in miombo woodlands and thorny acacia or kopje. The prominent wild fauna includes African buffalo, African bush elephant, black rhinoceros, southern giraffe, African leopard, lion, plains zebra, and several antelope species.^[1][2]

The Wildlife Conservation Act of 1960 decreased the loss of wildlife in Zimbabwe. In the 1990s, Zimbabwe became a leader in Africa of wildlife conservation and management. In 2006 the country reported generating US$300 million yearly from its wildlife in protected areas, rural and community run wildlife management areas, and in private game ranches and reserves. The 12-member Parks and Wildlife Board is responsible for this activity and deciding on policy issues under the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management.^[1][3]

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority under the board has the onerous task of overseeing the activities related to ten national parks,^[4] nine recreational parks,^[5] four botanical gardens,^[6] four safari areas,^[7] and three sanctuaries.^[8] These areas are collectively called the Wildlife Estate which covers an area about 47,000 km² (18,000 sq mi), which is equivalent to 12.5% of the total land area of the country.^[1]

However, reports by National Geographic News indicate a disturbing trend of decimation of wildlife^[9] as a result of a "national economic meltdown" leading to overexploitation of the wildlife resources to meet the finances of the nation.^[10]