Tembanechako Mastick, a former poacher, is now advocating against poaching in his community in southeast Zimbabwe. Recently, he and a group were searching for a hyena den following livestock attacks, where they debated whether to seal or burn the burrow. In the past, Mastick, who turned to poaching due to droughts that impacted farming, might have supported the idea of killing the animals. However, after serving nearly three months in jail for poaching, he underwent a change in perspective through a conservation program.
Now, Mastick warns others about the futility of killing wildlife, stating that such actions are selfish. He emphasizes that while poaching may provide immediate benefits for an individual, tourism related to wildlife can generate income for the entire community. He has been promoting the idea that animals serve the community better than as mere sources of food.
The message of conservation faces challenges as the region experiences escalating human-wildlife conflicts exacerbated by droughts, illegal hunting, deforestation, and land use changes. Encroachments into wildlife habitats have led to increased attacks on crops and livestock by elephants, lions, and hyenas, which are crucial to villagers’ survival, especially after a drought devastated food crops.
The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority reported a rise in community distress calls related to wildlife issues, indicating growing tensions as the country approaches drier months. Mastick recalls fewer encounters with wildlife in his youth, suggesting that such conflicts intensified after land reform initiatives in 2000, which allowed agricultural activities in wildlife territories.
Mastick, who once accumulated 45 goats, now finds himself with just ten after losing the majority to wildlife, bearing the physical scars from past encounters with dangerous animals. Despite these setbacks, he assists others in understanding that retaliatory killings will not resolve their problems.
He shares his personal journey, noting the hardships his family faced while he was incarcerated, and how he used his time in prison to learn carpentry. This newfound skill now helps him provide for his family and serves as an example to others in his community about alternatives to poaching. Mastick’s efforts to educate his fellow villagers about conservation and sustainable living have reportedly led to a decrease in poaching activities in his area, with his story of transformation providing him with credibility in his advocacy.