HOW DO WE SUPPORT THEM?
Strengthening Anti-Poaching Patrols With Training Equipment
Indigo Earth Foundation is proud to contribute to the Community Rhino Conservation Initiative in Hwange by providing training equipment for anti-poaching patrols. These dedicated teams are the first line of defence against illegal wildlife crime, working tirelessly to protect endangered rhino and other vulnerable species.
Our support helps ensure they are well-equipped to carry out their training efficiently.
WHO ARE THEY?
From Local Extinction to Restoration: The Return of Rhinos to Hwange
In 1985, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe was home to around 100 white rhinos. By the 1990s, however, poaching had become rampant. In 2002, the last white rhino was sighted and killed by foreign poachers near Ngamo, in the southern part of the park.
A Community-Led Model for Conservation and Human–Wildlife Coexistence
The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI) is working to reintroduce rhinos to this region of Zimbabwe in a secure and sustainable manner, with the goal of eventually establishing a viable population of free-roaming black and white rhinos. The initiative is also creating a buffer zone between the park and the surrounding communal lands to reduce human-wildlife conflict and prevent wild animals from damaging crops or livestock.
This project that took over a decade to realize.
The manager of Imvelo Safari Lodges, Mark Butcher, envisioned reintroducing white rhinos on communal land, making local communities direct beneficiaries of conservation while creating a natural buffer to reduce conflict with wildlife.
Since all rhinos are the property of the Zimbabwean government, the project required official approval and crucially, community buy-in. After extensive consultation, the nearby communities of Ngamo and Nganyana donated 220 hectares of high-quality grazing land. The project came together piece by piece: funding, fencing, the construction of Camelthorn Lodge, a security model inspired by Malilangwe Rhino Reserve, and eventually, government authorization.
Building Secure Sanctuaries and Long-Term Protection for Future Rhino Populations
Today, four white rhinoceros bulls roam in two fenced sanctuaries covering 10.5 km², monitored 24/7 by COBRAS, a trained local anti-poaching unit composed partly of former poachers turned protectors. A canine unit has also been added, enhancing security further. Rangers patrol daily, collecting vital data on the rhinos' behavior and movements.
A third sanctuary has been prepared and is ready to welcome additional rhinos in 2026 which will include cows.
Community Rhino Conservation Initiative
Supporting frontline defenders of wildlife.
The Community Rhino Conservation Initiative (CRCI) has re-introduced white rhinoceros in the communal area next to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe in a highly secure and sustainable way to eventually accommodate a viable population of free roaming black and white rhinoceros.
CRCI manages rhino sanctuaries on community-owned land, where the animals are protected 24/7 by the Cobras, a locally recruited, highly trained team of rangers. The organization combats poaching, safeguards wildlife, and conducts rhino walks with both tourists and local residents to raise awareness and foster coexistence.
