Community members in Binga District are taking decisive, locally driven action to protect their livelihoods from persistent wildlife threats, demonstrating how practical solutions and community ownership can create lasting resilience.
In Ward 4 and Ward 17, households are constructing raised kraals using durable chain link fencing to safeguard goats and other small livestock from hyena attacks, a challenge that has affected families in the area for many years.
For communities that rely heavily on livestock for income, food security, and cultural value, the loss of even a few animals can have devastating consequences. Hyena predation has long posed a threat, particularly at night when animals are most vulnerable. The introduction of raised kraals has provided a simple but effective response, elevating livestock enclosures and reinforcing them with strong fencing to prevent predators from accessing animals.
In Kabuba Village, Ward 17, the initiative has already begun to change daily realities for local families. Village Head of Champongo, Fridge Sibelo, praised the intervention for combining knowledge sharing with practical support that empowers communities to protect what matters most to them.
“I am praising WCA with high thanks for bringing us knowledge and information to protect our own wealth, our livestock,” Sibelo said. “Through the introduction of chain link fence raised kraals, we are now better equipped to protect our goats from hyena attacks.”
The approach goes beyond providing materials. By working closely with residents, the project builds on existing community knowledge and encourages households to take ownership of livestock protection. This not only strengthens security for animals but also promotes peaceful coexistence with wildlife by reducing retaliatory actions that can arise when livelihoods are threatened.
Wildlife Conservation Action (WCA), which is supporting the initiative, emphasizes that community-led solutions are central to sustainable conservation. When people are actively involved in designing and implementing interventions, the results are more likely to be accepted, maintained, and scaled within the community.
The work in Binga has been made possible through the generous support of the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation. The foundation’s continued partnership has enabled WCA to deliver solutions that balance human needs with wildlife conservation, ensuring that rural communities are not left vulnerable to ongoing environmental challenges.
As the raised kraal initiative gains momentum, there is growing potential to expand its impact to other wards and villages facing similar threats. Support from partners, stakeholders, and the wider public can help extend these efforts, protecting livelihoods, strengthening community resilience, and advancing human–wildlife coexistence in Binga and beyond.
