Golf Event Raises $39K for Wildlife Conservation

A Vital Initiative for Wildlife Conservation

A file photo of Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit rangers on patrol.

The annual Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) fundraising golf day once again attracted strong support, reinforcing its position as one of Harare’s favorite golfing events. This event not only serves as a platform for raising funds but also highlights the importance of wildlife conservation in the region. The positive impact of this initiative is evident in the statistics released by the independent anti-poaching unit, which show a 10% reduction in poached animals for 2025. This is an encouraging development in the ongoing fight against poaching in the country\’s premier resort area.

According to Nathan Webb, head of VFAPU, while the stats look positive, the fight is far from over. He emphasized the importance of continued support for the organization, stating that VFAPU relies solely on donations to carry out its operations. The golf day plays a critical role in ensuring that scouts can continue their tireless work of protecting wildlife and the habitats around Victoria Falls.

The golf day and prize-giving ceremony were held on September 26 at the Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club and raised US$39,000. This was supported by 38 sponsors, with sponsorship in various forms, including cash donations, hole sponsorships, gin tents, and goods and equipment for VFAPU scouts. Notably, 11 sponsors were new to the event, with nine of them coming from Zimbabwe’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.

At the prize-giving ceremony, presenting the stats for January to August this year, Webb shared some significant figures. There has been a reduction of 56%, which translates to 269 snares and traps recovered and a 69% drop in animals rescued (4). Additionally, there has been a significant rise in arrests, with five wildlife crime arrests, 21 bush meat poachers, and 361 wood poachers. Convictions increased by 131%, with a total value of US$18,470 in fines issued for the period under review. Furthermore, 2,410 hours of community service and a cumulative 52 years of jail sentences were imposed by the courts.

Webb, who is also the general manager of the Wildlife Conservation Coalition (WCC), mentioned that the unit’s wishlist includes engaging more rangers, increasing the current number from 15 to 30. This would allow them to have a 24-hour presence in the Victoria Falls reserve area, expand its primary focal area, and acquire surveillance equipment such as camera traps and drones.

Currently, VFAPU covers an area of approximately 50 square kilometers surrounding the pristine Falls, a global tourism drawcard for the country. However, the United States government’s funding cuts have created competition for funding among organizations, making it challenging for those supporting various humanitarian initiatives.

All the proceeds from the golf day go directly to VFAPU to fund its operations, with hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism (AAT), which operates the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, covering all the administrative costs of the tournament. This ensures that every dollar raised contributes to conservation efforts.

Nigel Frost, managing director of AAT, highlighted the significance of the event, stating: “The VFAPU Golf Day is about more than just sport. It is about community, partnerships, and conservation.” He added that the incredible support they continue to receive shows that together, they can make a real difference in protecting the wildlife that makes Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe so special.

VFAPU was established in 1999 by local safari operator and conservationist Charles Brightman and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (the flagship property of the Victoria Falls Safari Collection) in an effort to fight the alarming levels of poaching. As a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and its natural habitat, VFAPU’s mandate is to minimize poaching activities in its area of patrol, as well as to rescue and rehabilitate animals injured by human interference.

VFAPU works in close cooperation with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, Victoria Falls City Council, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police. The WCC was formed in 2023 through the merger of VFAPU and The Bhejane Trust, allowing for the pooling of resources and expertise and uniting conservation efforts in the region to achieve greater success.

The Victoria Falls Safari Collection includes Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites, Lokuthula Lodges, Victoria Falls Safari Spa, The Boma — Dinner & Drum Show, and Queen Nandi Place — all set on the renowned Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate, just minutes from the world’s natural wonder, the Victoria Falls waterfall.