Buffalo translocation to Matusadona
In early July 2025, 50 African Buffalo were successfully translocated to Matusdadona National Park as part of a Global Wildlife Fund supported project in Zimbabwe.
The translocation was carried out by the Matusadona Conservation Trust after months of planning by staff from African Parks and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.
The operation began with a reconnaissance flight on the afternoon of 5 July. The following morning, a herd of around 400 buffalo were engaged on Tsetse Island, near the Lake Kariba shoreline. 100 animals were isolated and mustered into the capture boma. 50 buffalo were selected for translocation. Adult males were excluded to reduce transit risk.
The first 30 buffalo were loaded onto 2 trucks and transported to the release boma on 6 July. The following morning, a third truckload of 20 buffalo completed the mission.
All 50 buffalo were held in the release boma until mid-afternoon on 7 July. This allowed the herd to settle and water in their new home on the Zambezi valley floor. The boma gates were opened around 3pm and the herd moved out soon after.
Early morning muster of buffalo for translocation
Data from a radio-collared female shows the herd initially moved south toward the escarpment before heading back north and settling along the Ume River.
The buffalo translocation is part of a larger program supported by Global Wildlife Fund to help restore populations of several species at Matusadona and, in turn, restore ecological function in the Park and across the broader landscape.
African Wildlife Management and Conservation and Wildlife Management Services International were contracted by the MCT to carry out capture and transport for the translocation.
GWF Directors and supporters attended the translocation.
50 buffalo were initially released into a temporary boma
Radio-collaring a buffalo
