Zimbabwe has officially enacted the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Act No. 4 of 2025, a landmark update to the country’s wildlife legislation designed to strengthen conservation, promote community participation, and boost the biodiversity economy under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
The legislation modernizes the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14], introducing clearer definitions and management principles. Wildlife continues to be classified as res nullius, belonging to no one, while specially protected species are vested in the President, except in exceptional circumstances. Local communities are now empowered to play a greater role in wildlife management, supported by modern ICT tools, and a new fund has been established to assist victims of human-wildlife conflicts.
Sustainable use of wildlife is a central feature of the law, with hunting and other consumptive activities governed by scientifically determined quotas and strict penalties for violations. The Act also allows wildlife and land donations to be incorporated into the Parks Estate, while confiscated property from wildlife offences is retained for law enforcement purposes.
Activities such as mining in protected areas will require consultation with both the President and Minister, while Zimbabwe’s international obligations, including participation in Transfrontier Conservation Areas, are formally recognized. Wildlife corridors and buffer zones have been established to reduce human-wildlife conflict, and stronger protections against animal trafficking are now in place.
The legislation further gazettes Tugwi-Mukosi, Darwerdale, and Osborne as recreational parks, expanding opportunities for sustainable tourism and community engagement.
The Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife hailed the Act as a milestone in Zimbabwe’s conservation agenda, emphasizing its potential to combine ecological protection with economic growth while encouraging public participation in preserving the nation’s rich wildlife heritage.
