Picket Chabwedzeka trains African rangers in anti-poaching techniques: help needed!


Picket with a black rhino on a dehorning exercise*

A few years ago, in 2021, we had the pleasure of meeting Picket Chabwedzeka at the Hwange game count. Born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, he studied Geography and Environmental Management in South Africa. After working for several years in a South African game reserve, he returned to Zimbabwe and enrolled in a Master’s degree program, graduating with an MS in ecological resources management. He went on to receive a Post Graduate Certificate in Ecological Survey techniques at Oxford University in the United Kingdom. 

He currently serves as a Game Reserve Manager in a private reserve near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where he lives on the premises with his young family, surrounded by a variety of wildlife, including many birds.

His passion and area of expertise is rhinoceros conservation, both black and white rhinos. Aside from humans, rhinos have no natural predators, yet they remain under constant threat due to poaching driven by demand for their horns in Asian markets.

GRTTS ranger team
in Ivory Concession near 
Hwange National Park
Picket has trained many rangers in anti-poaching techniques; I personally met several of them in different locations. His reputation even reaches beyond Zimbabwe; one Mozambican guide in Gorongosa National Park recognized his name. Despite this, anti-poaching training remains a low priority in many re
serve budgets, and his community company, GRTTS (Game Ranger and Tracker Training Specialist), is struggling.

GRTTS provides ranger training, deploys private rangers, and manages anti-poaching programs. Its two main training bases are located in Victoria Falls and Gweru.

The company is in need of support—particularly in the form of uniforms, rations, and vehicles—which they are willing to repay through branding opportunities and equipment provision. GRTTS trains both men and women.


This is Picket's description of his company, along with his needs to expand operations: 

GRTTS is a self-funded community-based anti-poaching Ranger training and deployment company, protecting over 45000 ha of land across the Zimbabwean landscape. With a Ranger training base in Gweru, and a satellite ranger project centre outside Victoria falls, GRTTS is focused on wildlife and wildlands conservation.

Apart from community ranger training, GRTTS offers wildlife protection services in different game reserves of Zimbabwe. We offer our services for a reward, so we are able to pay for our rangers. We currently have rangers in the Amalinda ivory concession near Hwange, with an all-female unit in that area. Male rangers are also present to complement the female team. We have rangers deployed in Gwayi farms, a collection of wildlife game ranchers operating without fences in the bigger Hwange block. Our men and women are responsible for the day to day patrolling of the area, removing snares, and making the wilderness safe for wildlife.

We have rangers deployed in the Victoria Falls area around the developing city. The continous development around the area reduces open space for wildlife and closes wildlife corridors. This leads to an increase in human wildlife conflict and poaching. GRTTS' presence in such a landscape is critical and of great importance.

We have rangers in Devuli ranch, Save Valley Conservancy where we are protecting 14000 ha of land. South Shangani Ranch just outside Gweru, where 7000 ha are under our protection, showcases our commitment to wildlife protection.

Community rangers on a GRTTS basic training course in Gwayi Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe

The current economic challenges facing Zimbabwe today impact our operations heavily, as we struggle to pay salaries for our staff, purchase uniforms and maintain a fleet of reliable anti-poaching vehicles. With a team of 50 employees, this article is a cry for help to well wishers and funders who can support our authentic wildlife protection work in Zimbabwe. To those willing to assist with funds, uniform donations, office equipment (laptops, printers, hard drives, powerbanks, cellphones, watches etc), project funding, motorbikes and tricycles for community education outreach programmes and field operations may reach us at the below contact.
WhatsApp no. +263 788661234 or by email: grttsrangers@gmail.com.

The page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071225229252

White rhino

Black rhino

I hope this post will reach the people who can assist!



*Dehorning is a move to reduce poaching of one of the world's currently critically endangered species. Note: This photo is not from GRTTS.

Location: Zimbabwe

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