Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ On the fringes of a wildlife conservancy in southeastern Zimbabwe, 14-year-old Esther Bote begins her day with a well-practiced routine. After household chores, she embarks on a 5-kilometer trek to school, a journey that takes her through dense forests where the threat of dangerous animals is ever-present.
For Esther and many children in this region, encountering wildlife has become an unavoidable part of life. The paths they walk are often shared with elephants, lions, and other animals, creating a constant undercurrent of fear. “We see animal footprints and know they’re around,” Esther says, describing the unease that comes with every step through the bush.
In this semi-arid area, worsening droughts fuelled by climate change and the El Nino phenomenon have led to a severe scarcity of food and water, pushing wildlife closer to human settlements. As a result, the Zimbabwean government and the privately-owned Save Valley Conservancy have initiated a program to teach schoolchildren how to coexist with these animals. Lessons on animal behaviour are now a part of the curriculum, equipping students with the knowledge to identify danger signs and act accordingly.
One of the key lessons is recognizing wildlife footprints and understanding animal behaviour. On a recent day, Esther and her classmates spotted fresh elephant tracks on their way home and immediately reported them to a wildlife ranger, a practice that could one day save their lives.
The training, while beneficial, is not without challenges. Some children walk up to 15 kilometres to school, often starting their journeys before dawn when predators like hyenas are still active. Parents are understandably concerned, with some even keeping their children home out of fear. To address these concerns, schools in affected areas have adjusted their schedules, allowing children to arrive later and leave earlier to minimize the risk of encounters with wildlife.
The program aims not only to protect the children but also to foster a sense of coexistence. “We’re teaching kids to see animals not as enemies, but as valuable members of their community,” says Dingani Masuku, the community liaison manager for Save Valley Conservancy. This shift in perspective is vital as wildlife increasingly encroaches on human habitats due to climate change.
Despite the training, Esther admits that the threat of wildlife still looms large, making it difficult to fully enjoy school. Yet, the knowledge she’s gained offers some comfort, a small beacon of safety in an otherwise perilous daily journey.
