The Park

Flora, Fauna and Geology

Umfurudzi Park has a rich biodiversity.
Rainfall average is 750mm per annum. The park is located in agricultural Region 4 and has four major rivers, the Mazowe River, Ruanga River, Umfurudzi River and Gwetera River. Only the Mazowe and Umfurudzi Rivers are perennial. There are many tributaries of these rivers starting in the Park.
The vegetation ranges from Mopani groves, baobab, combretum, and brachystegia woodlands to open savanna. This unique habitat is able to support a diverse spectrum of wildlife.
The riverine vegetation is a unique mix of Highveld and Lowveld tree species. Grass and herbaceous species are abundant ranging from predominantly hyperemia, sporobolos, brachyeria, digitaria and panikum maximum providing for relatively. high carrying capacities for grazing animals. There are large vlei areas in valleys throughout the park.
The geology is predominantly granite, with large kopjes and dwalas dominating the center and southern parts of the park. The north has large hill features especially along the northeastern parts of the park. The northwest is open flat savanna country.

Water

Due to there being limited perennial rivers within the Park, and the relatively large area that the Park occupies, water availability and management is one of the prohibiting factors to the potential carrying capacity of wildlife in the Park.
The Mazowe River is a threatened water resource for wildlife as it is heavily mined both commercially and for subsistence purposes. The river is polluted with heavy metals. Population pressure and river bank cultivation to the east of the river, through riverbank cultivation are causing siltation on a large scale.
Since project inception in 2011, there have been 9 dams constructed. The dams are relatively small, approximately 1 to 2 hectares of water, with a depth of up to 3 metres. The dams are spread throughout the southern and central section of the park and are approximately 4km to 5km apart. Dams are for water supply to animal and bird species which traditionally had to migrate long distances from grazing grounds to find water. Limited water in the park also caused a concentration of wildlife and therefore poaching impact was high.
With the wildlife being spread out over a large area and having access to water, and not having to travel long distances, incidences of poaching will be reduced, previously sparsely grazed areas are now being grazed, therefore reducing fire risk and spread. Animal populations will also fill the vacuums where animals previously did not reside.
Territories will therefore increase to encompass dams and new grazing grounds. The small stock dams are reviving prime breeding areas for game birds and extended habitat for aquatic life currently under siege from pollution and habitat loss in the main river systems of the Park.

Restocking Umfurudzi Park

In 2010, a survey was conducted in Umfurudzi to quantify the animal species and numbers, which existed in the Park. It was ascertained that the numbers were very low and certain species were and still are threatened with extinction within the Park.
It was agreed to actively restock the Park over a three-year period to build numbers of existing species, as well as reintroduce species, which had been wiped out over the past 20 years.
Cambridge University conducted studies in the 1980’s and Umfurudzi Park had healthy populations of animals ranging from Black Rhino (100+), Elephant (100+), Buffalo (unknown), Sable (1500+), Roan (250+), Eland and Waterbuck as well as many predator species, lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah and other smaller predators.
In 2010 a desktop survey was conducted through interviews with the Parks staff and patrol sightings and the following results have been noted [Table 1].
Table 1: An Estimate of Animal Population – Patrol Sightings
Description
Sable
Kudu
Roan
Wildebeest
Zebra
Impala
Leopard
Hyena
Hippo
Crocodile
Number
180
250
13
30
20
50
10
6
14
16
Description
Klipspringer
Bushbuck
Bushpig
Warthog
Grysbok
Reedbuck
Baboon
Monkeys
Duiker
 
Number
30
18
80
40
50
3
500
200
200
 
In 2011, an active restocking program was set in motion.
Umfurudzi is located within the “Green Zone” which is a foot and mouth disease free zone. Animals translocated to Umfurudzi Park could only be moved from properties within the Highveld of Zimbabwe so as not to introduce foot and mouth disease into Umfurudzi Park.
This in itself created challenges in locating pockets of animals as the Highveld had been widely resettled for agriculture with remaining wildlife populations exposed to poaching to the extent of decimation.
Small pockets of animals in low numbers existed on some properties; the numbers in some cases were so low that they were deemed to be unviable gene pools. Negotiations with farmers ensued, and the strategy was to clean up these small numbers and combine the various genetics and numbers in Umfurudzi Park so that a viable breeding nucleus could be established.
Table 2 shows wildlife translocation into Umfurudzi Park in 2011 and 2012.
Table 2: Animal Introductions into Umfurudzi Park
 
Eland
Impala
Giraffe
Buffalo
Tsessebe
Sable
Wildebeest
Waterbuck
Zebra
total animals
total cost
2011
52
206
0
25
33
1
56
16
70
459
$241,720.00
2012
276
193
25
138
0
0
162
26
131
951
$706,820.00
Total
328
399
25
163
33
1
218
42
201
1410
$948,540.00
*** Cost includes capture, transport and purchase of animals.
In January 2013, the Park received 13 elephants consisting 7 juveniles (2 to 6 years) and 6 Adults (25 years and over) and 1 large male crocodile.
Restocking in 2013/2014 will continue with a focus on specialized species. It is proposed that in 2013 the lowing species be trans located to Umfurudzi Park:
Table 3: Restocking in 2013/2014 Focusing on Specialized Species
Description
Elephant
Tsessebe
Nyala
Waterbuck
Impala
Buffalo
Roan
Reedbuck
Giraffe
Rhino Black/White
Hippo
Cheetah
Number
5
30
25
60
400
20
25
20
25
8
20
2
The Park will continue to be stocked on an opportunistic basis with a focus on specialized species, or by virtue of animal welfare needs where pockets of animals may be threatened.

Infrastructure Development, Equipment & Management

Following challenging years during the hyperinflation era, road infrastructure, fire management and new infrastructure was virtually non-existent and the Park did not have a permanent vehicle for operations.

Infrastructure Development

Since January 2011 massive improvement and development in infrastructure has been one of the key deliverables in the joint venture project.
  • 23 km of double electrified fence has been erected covering an area of 3000 hectares as an intensive management area for buffalo and other endangered species .
  • 9 Dams have been constructed in the south and center of the park to provide water for wildlife.
  • A 12 pen boma system has been erected to handle wildlife introductions and 2 pen elephant boma
  • A workshop has been erected to handle motorized equipment
  • 5 Campsites and 2 ablution blocks have been built and electrified
  • A substation and overhead cables have been erected and the Park Office, Staff village and management houses have been electrified
  • 150km of roads have been repaired
  • The western boundary was cleared and demarcated.
  • 5km of Western Boundary Fence has been completed.
  • Radio Communication equipment covers the entire park
  • The Park office has been refurbished, electrified and has Internet communication access
  • Boreholes and Water reticulation has been commissioned for staff and guests.

Equipment

At the beginning of 2011, an assessment was carriedout as to equipment that was required in the park forstaff to effectively carry out their duties.
There was no permanent vehicle in the Park; patrolling staff were walking long distances.
There was no water reticulation, the pumps were broken, staff were inadequately equipped, uniforms were limited. The Park staff were being assisted by miners operating in the Park, which compromised their effectiveness in policing miners and other perpetrators.
Morale was at an all time low. The project assessed the park requirements and the following was provided.
  • Tractors [2]
  • Trailer [1]
  • Vehicles: Land cruiser, 2 X 2 ton 4 x 4 vehicles,
    and 1 X 5 Ton 4 X 4 vehicle
  • Motor Bikes [4]
  • Tow Grader [2]
  • Mower [1]
  • Dam Scoops [2]
  • Workshop Equipment
  • Water Pumps
  • Generator [3]
  • Bowsers [2]
  • Storage Containers [7]
  • Boom Spray

Management

With the improvement in infrastructure and the provision of equipment and resources to staff, the management of the park improved.
  • A park manager was recruited to monitor development projects, infrastructure repairs, security management and animal translocations.
  • The ZPWMA staff are better resourced to manage fire and monitor illegal mining as well as protect the animals from poaching.
  • Staff have been provided with spotting scopes,binoculars, camping equipment, GPS's.
  • Anti poaching operations now cover the entire park.
  • An observation point has been constructed on Beacon Hill in the center of the park with staff accommodation and ablutions. This will assist in fire control and anti poaching operations. Early burning and road development has lessened the impact of wild fires.
  • Staff deployments are timely and effective.
  • Illegal gold panning within rivers has been substantially reduced within the Park.