As there is no natural surface water available for wildlife in the dry winter months, Friends of Hwange (FOH) works hard to ensure that sufficient water is available for the wildlife throughout the dry season. Solar water pumps are used to provide water from underground sources to surface pans to enable a multitude of wild creatures to survive. As a result of the advancement in battery technology, solar systems can now be pumped for longer hours including during the night to provide fresh water, mainly for elephants, which is when they prefer to drink.
Firebreaks are a hugely important annual undertaking to control runaway bushfires and to protect large tracts of vegetation – the food source for game. Friends of Hwange supports anti-poaching deployments, research initiatives to determine unexplained causes of animal deaths, co-ordination of rescue operations for snared and injured animals, and data collection to enable monitoring of vulnerable species.
Basic maintenance of the tourist camps and picnic sites provides facilities for the public in this unique area of outstanding beauty thereby promoting ecotourism.
Road networks need to be maintained and upgraded especially for ease of ranger deployment.
Conservation of Birds – the indicators of a healthy environment – is key in maintaining whole ecosystems. Preservation of the environment and natural habitat of all wild creatures protects biodiversity, and is vital in conserving this magnificent, vast wilderness.
