Community Initiative Aims to Educate Children on Wildlife Safety

In rural Zimbabwe, children face the daunting task of walking several kilometers to school through bush paths and forests, where dangerous wildlife, including elephants and hyenas, may pose threats. Esther, a local student, recently reported spotting elephant footprints on her route, highlighting the ongoing risks. To address these dangers, a community initiative is underway to educate students about animal behavior and safety, fostering a sense of respect for wildlife rather than viewing it as a threat. An 18-year-old former student has joined a corps of young women rangers to teach children how to protect themselves from potential wildlife encounters. Many students travel up to 15 kilometers to school, often before dawn when predators are active. Local officials emphasize the importance of wildlife to the community, particularly in terms of tourism, and encourage children to share this knowledge with their parents, many of whom regard wild animals as adversaries. Alphonce Chimangaisu, chairperson of the School Development Committee at Chiyambiro Secondary School, noted that some parents have previously kept their children home due to safety concerns. Although the initiative's effectiveness is still being evaluated, it has begun to change some parents' attitudes towards wildlife and education. To further enhance safety, school authorities are adjusting class schedules to ensure students travel during daylight hours. The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is advocating for broader implementation of wildlife education in schools, recognizing the need for communities to adapt to increasing wildlife interactions exacerbated by climate change.