{"id":7574,"date":"2025-06-27T12:53:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T12:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/?p=7574"},"modified":"2025-06-27T12:53:27","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T12:53:27","slug":"speeding-drivers-turn-hwange-roads-into-wildlife-death-traps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/?p=7574","title":{"rendered":"Speeding Drivers Turn Hwange Roads Into Wildlife Death Traps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mat North Correspondent
Hwange \u2013 Conservationists are sounding the alarm over a sharp rise in wildlife roadkill incidents in and around Hwange National Park, with reckless driving, poor road design, and weak law enforcement threatening years of conservation efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Endangered species, including painted dogs, elephants, and bat-eared foxes, are being struck and killed at an alarming rate along key routes like the Bulawayo\u2013Victoria Falls Highway and the Mpofu\u2013Mabale stretch\u2014roads that cut through critical wildlife corridors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Every Loss is Significant” \u2013 Conservationists Raise Alarm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

David Kuvawoga, Operations Director at Painted Dog Conservation (PDC), said speeding has reached dangerous levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“There have been a considerable number of species hit by vehicles, particularly between Fatima and Cross Dete,” Kuvawoga said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Elephants have been struck, and sadly, human lives have also been lost. If the alpha female of a painted dog pack is killed, it can wipe out an entire generation. These animals only breed once a year, so every loss is devastating.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, the Main Camp\u2013Mabale section was identified as a blackspot for painted dog fatalities, prompting PDC and the Ministry of Roads to install warning signs and rumble strips. However, conservationists say more must be done\u2014especially on busier highways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smaller Animals Forgotten, Biodiversity at Risk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kuvawoga warned that while high-profile species like elephants and lions grab attention, smaller mammals are dying in large numbers, threatening the park\u2019s ecological balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Biodiversity depends on both large and small animals, but we often only act when elephants or lions are involved,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Even a lizard deserves its life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Road Projects Raise New Concerns<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ongoing Lake Gwayi\u2013Tshangani road construction and resurfacing projects have intensified fears. Without wildlife-friendly designs\u2014such as underpasses, speed humps, and better signage\u2014collisions will keep rising, Kuvawoga said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We\u2019ve advocated for these changes. Some progress has been made, but it\u2019s not enough. People are also dying. This is a threat to both wildlife and human life.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community Steps Up as Enforcement Lags<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With official action slow, locals have taken matters into their own hands. Conservationist Linda Bennett led a community effort to clear overgrown vegetation along the Mabale\u2013Main Camp road, improving visibility for drivers and safety for animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shamah Mawoko, Coordinator of the Association for Tourism Hwange (ATH), confirmed the issue was raised at a recent stakeholder meeting, where speed humps and stricter penalties for speeding were proposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Motorists must understand they are entering sensitive wildlife areas and act accordingly,” Mawoko said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tourism at Risk, Calls for Systemic Solutions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rising toll on wildlife\u2014and the danger to tourists\u2014has sparked calls for urgent action, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n