Recreational exposure and environmental awareness are now irreversibly connected in the world of travel. The conservation and sustainability arena, extensively supported by community conservation tourism, confronts trying times in the ongoing Covid-19 Situation. Without the flow of clients, funds decrease substantially. To support the incredible work accomplished in our National Parks, honouring past efforts and ensuring the future welfare of wildlife, Hideaways remains dedicated to projects protecting and conserving our environment.
As members of the Conservation Wildlife Fund (CWF), Elephant’s Eye, Hwange contribute a certain percentage of each bed night on a monthly basis, enabling the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) to keep designated areas of Hwange National Park poacher free. CWF is made up of private and NGO sectors forming an alliance to assist authorities with vital conservation work. A focal initiative, the APU is made up of members of the community who have been trained by the CWF with the latest in anti-poaching methods, ensuring that our wildlife will be around for future generations, as well as supporting community empowerment through employment. Due to recent job loss as a result of the global health pandemic, resulting in depressed economic activity leading to potential escalation in wildlife crime, support is necessary now more than ever.
Additionally, Elephant’s Eye, Hwange, employs its own anti-poaching unit which patrol their concession. These auxiliary initiatives are becoming more and more essential with less guests travelling through the park, therefore less game drive vehicles ‘patrolling’ the area. Due to recent job loss as a result of the global health pandemic, resulting in depressed economic activity leading to potential escalation in wildlife crime, support is necessary now more than ever.
With conservation remaining one of Hideaways’ top priorities, funds continue to be allocated to the Conservation Wildlife Fund to assist anti-poaching, as well as salaries to their internal anti-poaching unit. As such projects now exist symbiotically with the tourism sector, it is our responsibility to ensure sustainability – for wildlife, community upliftment and the future of travel.
If you have guests who still wish to learn more about making a difference through remote assistance, please click here to contact us for more information
