OUR IMPACT ON THE GROUND
Through collective efforts, from daily visitors, volunteers, interns, and university partners, we create a meaningful impact on wildlife conservation. Our impact success is dependent on the success of our activities, the more guests and partners that come through our doors, the greater impact we have on the environment and wildlife! Below are some of the impactful projects that are ongoing in and around Fuller Forest.
Wildlife Sanctuary
Victoria Falls is a town where people live surrounded by wildlife. While we embrace this amazing life, unfortunately, accidents or human-wildlife conflicts can arise. VFWH is dedicated to protecting and taking in wildlife in need of rehabilitation and release, or a forever home.
Patrols & Anti-Poaching
As part of our mission to transform Fuller Forest Conservation Area, we conduct regular anti-poaching patrols and snare sweeps in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and their rangers. This focuses mainly on snaring and illegal tree-cutting.
BIRD SURVEYING
Every week we conduct bird surveys at one of our waterholes on the property. This assists us with information about the species that occupy Fuller Forest and seasonal changes. The data is uploaded to Global Databanks to assist with bird research in Zimbabwe and Africa.
FRAMING NATURE KIDS Photography Club
We aspire to connect children with the beauty of wildlife through photography and develop their awareness of the environment and conservation. As they become more proficient in photography, they are equipped with new skills and opened up to more opportunities when they leave school.
Human-Wildlife Conflict MitigaTion
Our human-wildlife conflict work focuses mainly on lion-human conflict. We are monitoring a pride of lions that is in close proximity to a community and killing livestock. Our work entails obtaining reports from community members to implement strategies to protect their livestock from lions.
Camera Trap Monitoring
An important part of wildlife research and reserve management is understanding what wildlife we have around us. Camera Trap studies help us capture data about the more elusive species and the movement of animals on the reserve. The data aids in reserve management.
Free NGO Photography
In connection with our Wildlife Photography Internship Programme we offer NGOs around Victoria Falls free photography for their fundraising efforts. These NGOs include Mummy's Angels, Jafuta Foundation, Take Action Trust, Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit, and many more.
Elephant Impact Monitoring
Contrary from many other areas in Africa, Zimbabwe has an overpopulation of elephants. This causes damage to the environment and other species of wildlife. We are conducting studies on this damage and it's effects on the environment.
Enrichment Studies
Enrichment is an important part of the welfare of our animals. Since many of them cannot be released into the wild we are conducting research projects that can aid in other captive animals welfare and human-wildlife conflict. We are currently looking at lion-deterring smells and sounds to aid communities.
VULNERABLE TREE-PROTECTION
To protect Fuller Forest Conservation area from elephant damage we protect large trees by wrapping them in wire which deters elephants from knocking them down. These trees are important for the biodiversity of the forest and it's vital that they are protected from elephants.
Victoria Falls Wild Hub supports the Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 4: Quality Education
To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
We support Goal 4 through our after-school Wildlife Photography Club for kids. This club provides an opportunity to learn beneficial skills in photography and conservation. It will not only benefit the children because our plan is to also train adults so that the after-school club can exist in a wide range of schools around Victoria Falls.
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4.4 - By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
Goal 13: Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impact.
13.3 - Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
VFWH supports Goal 13 through educating people who join us about conservation and impact, and combatting the effect that climate change has on Fuller Forest and its surrounding areas.
This is done through our Elephant Impact Monitoring Project, Vulnerable Tree Protection Project, and our Legacy Project.
Goal 15: Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss.
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We support Goal 15 in almost all of the projects that we run at VFWH. We take pride in our commitment to preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity of Fuller Forest and its surroundings.
Our initiatives focus on educating people in the wild and safeguarding the habitat for future generations to explore and cherish while contributing to research and science.