Repository

Climate Change / Webinar

Various, 1 July 2026

Southern Africa is expected to face severe drought conditions linked to a possible Super El Niño. This presents major risks for wildlife, tourism, rural livelihoods, and conservation efforts. This webinar will explore how drought affects the wildlife economy and identify practical actions to build resilience across Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) and surrounding communities. Participants will: • Understand the likely impacts of El Niño-driven drought on the wildlife economy. • Explore risks to wildlife, tourism, water resources, and local livelihoods. • Learn how TFCAs can strengthen resilience at a landscape scale. • Discuss practical adaptation and financing solutions. Introduction by Steve Collins SADC TFCA Network Coordinator Speaker 1: Communities on the Frontline - Petros Muyunda – Zambia CBNRM Forum Speaker 2. Preparing Rural farmers for expected drought – Richard Mumba COMACO Speaker 3. Building a Climate-Resilient Wildlife Economy - Dr Wiseman Ndlovu is the Deputy Director of the African Wildlife Economy Institute

Conservation / Press Release

SADC TFCA Network, 24 June 2026

The 2026 Annual SADC TFCA Network Meeting aims to review progress, strengthen partnerships, and promote sustainable conservation across southern Africa. ​ The meeting is organized by the SADC Secretariat, South Africa’s DFFE, and partners, focusing on the region’s transboundary conservation efforts. It will be held in Skukuza, Kruger National Park, from November 10–12, 2026, with virtual participation available. ​ The event emphasizes partnerships, community engagement, ecosystem integrity, and innovative financing to scale impact.

Conservation / Strategy and guides

Dr Chris Foggin, 17 June 2026

Protocol for Sampling Wildlife Diseases in KAZA TFCA ​ This field guide, prepared by Dr. Chris Foggin with USAID VukaNow funding, provides practical techniques for veterinarians and assistants conducting wildlife post-mortems (PM) in the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). It focuses on diagnostic and ad hoc surveillance sampling under challenging field conditions, particularly for elephants. ​

Marine Transboundary Conservation / Strategy and guides

World Economic Forum, 17 June 2026

The ocean economy, valued at $2.6–$5.1 trillion annually, supports billions of livelihoods but faces degradation from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. ​ A regenerative blue economy offers a transformative approach, shifting from harm reduction to actively restoring ecosystems, strengthening resilience, and promoting equitable prosperity within planetary limits. ​ This report outlines pathways to achieve this vision, emphasizing the need for systemic change across governance, finance, human capacity, and technology. ​

Climate Change / Research

Onkemetse Joseph, Rabson Dhlodhlo, Margaret Dennison, Tselisehang Tsuinyane, Radu Nikolaus Botez, Karl-Heinz Gaudry, 12 June 2026

The document explains how the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS) can support risk-informed development in Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Context and Need TFCAs are critical ecological and socio-economic regions that support biodiversity, tourism, agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods. However, they are increasingly affected by climate-related risks such as floods, droughts, wildfires, and cyclones. What CEMS Offers CEMS, part of the EU Copernicus Programme, provides satellite-based and geospatial data to support disaster management across all phases—preparedness, response, recovery, and planning. It has three main components: Early Warning and Monitoring (e.g., flood, drought, wildfire systems) On-Demand Mapping (rapid emergency maps and risk/recovery assessments) Exposure Mapping (analysis of people, infrastructure, and environmental risks)

Tourism / Research

Dandy Badimo & Dimpho Malebogo Matlhola, 3 June 2026

Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) aim to promote sustainable conservation and economic integration across national borders. In Southern Africa, these transboundary areas are seen as engines of conservation-led development, but the impact on regional tourism markets remains unclear. This study examines the Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) TFCA’s impacts on intra-regional tourism, with a focus on Botswana. Using interdependence and market integration theories, relevant indicators, and Controlled Interrupted Time Series models, results show modest changes post-KAZA. However, interdependence remains asymmetric, with tourist flows mainly in Botswana due to differences in product quality, conservation, and marketing, resulting in the siphon effect and skewed dependence. This suggests that the KAZA TFCA has not yet demonstrated clear evidence of integrated tourism markets or sustained cross-border tourism circuits, as indicated by observed flow patterns and indicators of independence. However, KAZA has implemented UniVisa and collaborative policies that promote equitable benefits. Botswana should leverage its cooperative advantage to promote KAZA’s cooperative branding.

Climate Change / Case studies

Smit, I.P.J. (SANParks Scientific Services) and Bond, W.J. (University of Cape Town), 26 May 2026

Background and aim of study The aim of this quantitative assessment and resulting report is to collect and collate observations and reflections from various colleagues who have lived and/or worked extensively in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and surrounding areas during the 2015/2016 drought. This is in order to compliment various monitoring and research projects which were specifically set up or analysed in such a way as to better understand the effects of the past drought (typically studies that have collected pre and post drought data). Although research projects that specifically focused on the drought are very valuable (some have been published and others are still in the process of being published), many facets of the drought were not studied. Therefore, although rigorous scientific studies are critical for better understanding the effects of droughts, other methods of “learning” from droughts can also increase understanding of these large infrequent disturbances. One such method of “learning” is through general observation from astute observers that lived and/or spend considerable time in the veld (in this case in the Greater KNP) during a drought. It is believed that many ecological lessons, interesting ideas, valuable insights and truly remarkable natural history observations can be harnessed from collecting these largely ad hoc and non-systematic observations. It is believed that some of these observations may also be helpful for scientists in future to formulate and postulate theories regarding the functioning and role of droughts, and/or spark ideas for setting up more specific and rigorous monitoring projects in anticipation of future droughts. Considering the fact that the frequency and intensity of droughts may increase in future, it is important to make optimal use of droughts as learning events in order to increase our understanding of the role of droughts and in order to inform management actions if and where appropriate.

Conservation / Research

Otshabile Bahetoleng & Amanda Stronza , 18 May 2026

In this article, Otshabile Bahetoleng and Amanda Stronza explore how the African philosophy of Botho shapes human–wildlife coexistence in cattle farming communities of Botswana’s Kalahari region. Drawing on ethnographic field research, the paper argues that coexistence with large carnivores is not sustained only through formal conservation policies or economic incentives, but also through relational cultural values rooted in interdependence, compassion, dignity, and mutual respect. The article examines how Botho influences relationships between cattle farmers, conservation practitioners, institutions, and wildlife. Rather than viewing coexistence as a fixed conservation outcome to be externally imposed, the paper presents coexistence as a dynamic social process embedded in everyday moral and cultural life. The authors show that when conservation actors engage communities with empathy, fairness, and respect, tensions between people are reduced, creating conditions that can indirectly support tolerance toward wildlife such as lions and other carnivores. The paper further critiques top-down conservation approaches that overlook local systems of relational governance and culturally legitimate mediation. It argues that conservation institutions can strengthen coexistence by acting in ways that align with local expectations of Botho, particularly through responsive engagement, dialogue, and mutual recognition. Ultimately, the article positions Botho as both a cultural ethic and a practical framework for building more resilient and socially grounded approaches to human–wildlife coexistence in Southern Africa.

Governance / Research

Kevan Zunckel, 22 April 2026

This document outlines the governance, coordination mechanisms, and best practices for managing Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) within the SADC region to promote sustainable regional cooperation and conservation.

Sustainable finance / Webinar

Sustainable Finance Coalition, 16 April 2026

A Webinar Series for the SADC TFCA Sustainable Finance Community of Practice Sustainable Finance in Practice is a four-part webinar series under the Sustainable Finance Coordination and Capacity for Transfrontier Conservation Areas, implemented by the Sustainable Finance Coalition under the Joint Action NaturAfrica/ Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) programme. It is designed to support members of the TFCA Community of Practice on Sustainable Finance to uncover how finance solutions work in real settings through practitioner insight, practical case examples and discussion on relevance for connected landscapes.