Imire Rhino & Wildlife Conservancy

tween tourism, conservation programmes and community areas through long-term, sustainable environmental management and positive community projects. Imire creates awareness internationally of the wildlife and poaching crisis which threatens Zimbabwe and Africa, and the obstacles faced by local communities and conservation organisations. The biggest threats to the animals protected at Imire, and regionally are poaching and human overpopulation. Poaching is driven by demand for ivory and rhino horn in foreign countries, and fueled by poverty and lack of education on the ground. To protect the rhino and all wildlife, we believe we need to empower local communities. We help local and international guests and volunteers see what they can achieve with contributions of their time, ideas, financial assistance and enthusiasm. Imire’s ultimate goal is to prove that our endangered species can be protected through a unified, holistic approach to conservation. We believe this is the key to the survival of all wildlife and ecosystems. Our Story - "The Meeting Place"
Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservation is a conservancy located in the Mashonaland East District of Zimbabwe dedicated to the conservation and welfare of wildlife, with a specific focus on the protection and breeding of the critically endangered Black and White Rhinoceros. Imire was founded in 1948 by Norman and Gilly Travers. Originally farmers, the Travers had a great passion for wildlife and conservation, which led to the establishment of Imire as a wildlife conservancy in 1972. In 1987, 250 black rhino were removed from the Zambezi Valley due to a distressing rise in illegal rhino poaching. These rhino were relocated to private conservancies for safety. Imire was granted custodianship of seven orphaned calves and became an intensive black rhino breeding station. To date Imire has successfully released 11 black rhinos into the wild. The Black Rhino Breeding Programme is world-renowned, helping to protect Zimbabwe’s heritage with the successful re-introduction of this incredible endangered animal back into the wild. In 2021 Imire's experience in rhino breeding led to them being selected by The Aspinall Foundation as suitable partners for a cheetah rewilding project. Two captive-born male cheetahs from Parc Safari in Quebec, Canada, were rewilded into Imire in February 2021. This was the first project of its kind in Zimbabwe, which has never before received captive-bred cheetahs for rewilding. Having adapted to life in Africa and become highly successful hunters, in August 2023 the brothers were moved to repopulate a larger conservation area in Zimbabwe, and began a new life. Imire remains family-run to this day and has grown and expanded, as was Norman’s dream. All operations on Imire are overseen by John and Judy Traverss who also contribute to Imire’s overall community conservation vision. Imire Lodge, run by Kate Travers and her partner Chris Carless, offers day trips and overnight stays where guests can enjoy unsurpassed game viewing, great food, friendly staff and a relaxed, family-run atmosphere. Reilly Travers manages the rhino breeding and anti-poaching on the conservancy as well as a hands-on volunteer programme where volunteers can experience living and working with critically endangered animals on a conservancy in Africa. Judy and Candice Travers are closely involved with the Wedza community, sustaining conservation efforts by empowering the local community through livelihood opportunities in low-impact and sustainable development, and Bruce and Zuz Travers manage the agricultural sector of Imire. Imire Rhino & Wildlife Conservancy is dedicated to protecting wildlife and strongly believe that rural communities and conservation programmes can successfully thrive side by side, working together to ensure the protection of our natural heritage. This means we have a totally holistic outlook. We look after the wildlife, but that means caring for the environment and the people living in the environment too. Imire has a rich history and incredible bonds with our local community that date back decades. These “People of Imire” are the everyday faces who contribute to our successful conservation work. People of Imire encompass not only the Travers family and the dedicated conservancy staff, but also the less seen faces that are the backbone of all we aim to achieve. Local students, teachers, chefs, children, waitresses, council workers, nurses, friends, donors, volunteers and many more, join hands and hearts for a greater good. The power of working together as a community bears fruit in one form or another every day on Imire and takes tangible shape when we see a new baby rhino born, a local student graduating from tertiary education, a previously hopeless medical situation resolved through crowdfunding, and many other wonderfully significant moments. But also, in less celebrated moments, a happily employed man reporting to work each day, a pair of donated shoes on previously bare feet or a moment under the sun in one of Africa’s last wildernesses. From familiar faces to unsung heroes, we will feature these special People of Imire, with their unique and inspiring story. Follow the hashtag #peopleofimire to play your part in this amazing project.