Staff Writer
Wild Africa has announced the launch of the Ndebele-language version of Wildlife Info, an AI-powered WhatsApp tool that seeks to improve access to help for communities living within wildlife corridors.
The Ndebele version comes following the successful introduction of the English-language version in September 2024. To date the English version has over 17,000 active users.
Meanwhile the expansion is designed to help communities live safely alongside wildlife by providing practical mitigation techniques to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Zimbabwe hosts the world’s second-largest elephant population, alongside other members of the Big Five.
The expansion of human settlements, coupled with effects of climate change such as hot temperatures and less rainfall, are escalating the risks of human-wildlife conflict (HWC).
Incidents frequently reported involve crop damage, livestock predation, property destruction, and injuries to both people and animals. Improving access to reliable, understandable information is therefore critical for encouraging peaceful coexistence.
About the Wildlife Info Tool
Wildlife Info, the WhatsApp tool developed by Wild Africa, offers conflict-mitigation guidance and techniques sourced from experts at Save the Elephants! and Wildlife Conservation Action.
Users can access crucial information on managing interactions with elephants, as well as support for living near other wild animals like crocodiles, lions, hyenas, and hippos.
The tool includes a fun quiz testing elephant knowledge, where users stand a chance to win mobile data to support ongoing access. The initiative is proudly supported by the Elephant Crisis Fund and launched in partnership with ZimParks.
Some of the most popular requests handled by the tool include:
- Reporting: Information on reporting wildlife crime or injured animals.
- Safety: Safety guidance on managing elephant and predator behaviour.
- Mitigation: Practical methods to reduce HWC activities like crop damage and livestock losses.
- Education: Visual guides, tips, and interactive learning content.
With just one WhatsApp message, Wildlife Info can help keep both people and wildlife safe.
Accessing Wildlife Info
Accessing the tool is simple and free:
- Direct Link: Click the provided WhatsApp link, choose your language, and follow the prompts.
- Save Contact: Save +263 78 727 6366 as a contact and send “hi” to begin.
- QR Code: Scan the QR code featured on campaign materials.
Quotes on Impact and Accessibility
Peter Knights OBE, Wild Africa CEO said, “The uptake of the initial English rollout demonstrated the clear value of Wildlife Info as a practical, on-demand resource for communities living near wildlife. Introducing a Ndebele version strengthens its impact by ensuring that guidance is accessible, understandable, and usable for the people who rely on it most.”
“We recognize that elephants make challenging neighbours. By increasing knowledge and access to this whole library of effective coexistence tools and techniques through the Ndebele version of the Wildlife Info tool on your mobile phone, we hope to help people live more easily with them. We have to work together as a society to reduce human-elephant conflict in Zimbabwe, as both elephants and people deserve to live in peace,” explained Dr. Lucy King, Save the Elephants’ Coexistence Director.
Community and Outreach
The new Ndebele rollout is being promoted through Public Service Announcements (PSAs) featuring Wild Africa ambassadors: Sandra Ndebele and Mzoe 7. New English PSAs promoting the tool were recorded by Tariro Gezi, Rumbidzai Takawira, and Moreangels Mbizah.
The campaign is further supported via TV inserts, radio slots, social media messaging, and ongoing promotions by initial ambassadors Voltz, Samantha “MisRed” Musa, Hilton Mudariki,and Butterphly.
Ndlelende Ncube, Director, Tikobane Trust (a community partner) added, “Being situated next to Hwange National Park, many of our community members struggle with human-wildlife conflict on a regular basis. As many of the community don’t speak English, the Ndebele translation opens up this tool to them to learn and implement mitigation techniques. Additionally, the installation of Starlink at our community learning hub will enable free WiFi access, opening a whole new world for our members in the ongoing fight for Human Wildlife Coexistence.”
Farai Chapoterera, Country Manager Zimbabwe for Wild Africa echoed, “Having been in the field training community members on using the Wildlife Info tool, it has been abundantly clear how appreciated the translation into Ndebele has been. When we speak to Zimbabweans in their own language, we can reach and help so many more people at risk from human-wildlife conflict, and assist them to live in harmony with elephants and other wildlife.”
