Conservation guru pens book on wildlife

Leonard Ncube, Senior Reporter 

CONSERVATION expert and wildlife law enforcement specialist, Amos Gwema who is a former senior Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority ranger has penned a book whose main focus is to promote the protection of animals and communities. 

Titled “Safeguarding Wildlife: A Manual for Investigation, Enforcement and Conservation”, the 137-page manual was published in September by Directory Publishers Bulawayo. 

It is the culmination of Gwema’s 26 years of experience in law enforcement, including 10 years as a police officer and 16 years with Zimparks. A multi-award-winning wildlife conservationist, Gwema, who now works for Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organisation, has been championing wildlife conservation from the frontline for more than two decades. 

He also serves as a Board Member for the Wildlife Conservation Coalition, where he is a Special Advisor on Wildlife Law Enforcement and Community Engagement. The manual is an invaluable resource for conservationists, wildlife law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and the general public at a time when collaboration and partnerships are key in promoting co-existence between animals and communities to fight poaching and human-wildlife conflict that are bedevilling wildlife areas. 

It is divided into 15 pivotal chapters, covering topics such as investigation and intelligence techniques, human rights and conservation, community-driven wildlife conservation, rehabilitation, arrest, as well as use of force and safety and ethics for wildlife law enforcement officials. 

Gwema’s vision, as documented in the book, is to empower conservationists, rangers, and communities with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective wildlife law enforcement. He aims to inspire a new generation of leaders to safeguard the future of Africa’s precious wildlife. 

“To share my knowledge and expertise with present and future wildlife law enforcement officials, I have authored a comprehensive manual titled ‘Safeguarding Wildlife — Manual for Investigation, Enforcement, and Conservation’. “I’m honoured to share my experience with the world. This book will shape the future of wildlife conservation, and I am proud to represent Zimbabwe’s commitment to environmental excellence. It serves as a valuable resource for anyone working in wildlife conservation and law enforcement. 

“Previously, there was a lack of a single, authoritative resource that covered all aspects of wildlife law enforcement, from investigation and evidence collection to courtroom proceedings and advocacy. This book addresses that need, providing a valuable resource for law enforcement officials, conservationists, legal professionals working in the field or wildlife conservation and law enforcement officials in any field,” said Gwema. 

His expertise in investigation, intelligence gathering, and community engagement has equipped him to share valuable insights and practical guidance on effective wildlife law enforcement through the book. 

His influential voice in conservation has been recognised globally. 

He was recently invited to present a keynote address at the 4th African Congress for Conservation Biology Symposium (ACCB) at Mweka College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania between October 19 and 22 where he highlighted the critical role of community and rangers in wildlife conservation. 

Full article on www.sundaynews.co.zw

Gwema’s achievement solidifies his position among Africa’s elite conservationists, underscoring Zimbabwe’s leadership in environmental stewardship. 

“As I raise the Zimbabwean flag high, I invite all Zimbabweans to celebrate this achievement, demonstrating the nation’s unwavering dedication to conservation,” he said. 

In his call of duty, armed not with traditional weapons but with a mobile device and a network of community informers, Gwema lived a life of dealing with first hand impact and investigation of wildlife crime. 

His hunting ground has for most of his time been the heart of the wilderness of the Hwange National Park where his mission has been to apprehend poachers. 

His dedication has helped to successfully thwart illegal hunters and significantly reduce poaching incidents in one of Africa’s most treasured wildlife sanctuaries. 

Gwema last year clinched the prestigious title of Best Game Ranger at the 2023 African Conservation Awards, hosted by the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA). 

The well-deserved recognition was sponsored by CNEI and bestowed upon him at the Southern African Wildlife College in Greater Kruger, South Africa, honouring him for exceptional conservation and his role in safeguarding Africa’s natural heritage. 

He has won several prestigious African awards, including the 2023 Africa Game Ranger of the Year, 2020 Tusk Africa Ranger of the Year, the 2019 Africa Ranger of the Year Special Award on Endangered Species Protection, the 2019 Winner of the African Rhino Conservation Awards, and the first runner-up in the African Rhino Conservation Award. 

Gwema’s professional journey began in 1997 when he joined the Zimbabwe Republic Police, where he served for 10 years and received extensive training in law enforcement, investigation, and intelligence gathering. 

In 2007, he joined Zimparks, rising through the ranks to become the Principal Intelligence Officer. Throughout his career, Gwema has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in wildlife law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and community engagement. 

His achievements include successfully investigating and prosecuting high-profile wildlife crime cases, including the infamous Cecil the lion case, helping reduce elephant poaching in the Hwange National Park from 330 in 2013 to 32 in 2019, recovering large quantities of cyanide, firearms, and ammunition used for poaching, arresting leading poacher syndicates resulting in a decline in elephant and rhino poaching. 

For him, the most potent weapons are information and technology, which have consistently propelled him to receive several prestigious conservation accolades. 

Gwema operated in the Hwange National Park, Zambezi National Park, and Matopos National Park, relying heavily on intelligence gathered through close collaboration with community informers. Over the years, this approach has yielded impressive results, with poaching cases in the Hwange National Park plummeting from approximately 200 in 2013, during the height of cyanide poisoning. 

He was a troubled soul recently when three lions were killed in the Hwange National Park. Ambushing and intercepting poachers, stealing cyanide from gangs, and orchestrating more than 130 arrests since 2013 — the bulk of which resulted in convictions — have been hallmarks of his career. 

Admittedly, Gwema has had a big influence, particularly on the rates of poaching of elephants and rhinos and on the impressive 95 percent conviction record in Hwange and Bulawayo. 

He is an essential part of the ranger training programme for law enforcement and intelligence methods related to wildlife. Beyond his formal responsibilities, Gwema participates in community programmes in schools to promote the humane capture and release of wild animals, promote harmony among local residents and the environment, and lessen conflict between people and wildlife. 

He holds a Degree in Risk and Security Management and diplomas in Project Management, Environmental Health and Safety Management and Accounting. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Risk and Criminology and Community Development with a South African University. 

Gwema believes in three pillars of conservation: Community as the foundation and first line of defence, wildlife law enforcement and the law itself as the second level and judiciary as the last line of defence. 

Currently, Gwema uses his extensive experience in wildlife law enforcement to offer consultancy, teaching, and instructional training services to law enforcement agencies, conservation organisations, and communities. 

His expertise involves wildlife law enforcement and investigation, intelligence gathering and analysis, environmental law enforcement, and community engagement and education. 

Gwema’s dedication, expertise and passion for conservation has made him a respected leader in the field of wildlife conservation. He believes by sharing knowledge and learning from each other, society can create a stronger, more effective conservation community to safeguard the future of Africa’s precious wildlife. — @ncubeleon