[Johnny and his small team do excellent work in Zimbabwe trying to look after what is left of that country’s devastated wildlife. Jan]

ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
2nd July 2006

HWANGE UPDATE

Since September last year, we have been concentrating on solving the problems in Hwange National Park. With the help of various donors including the Hwange Conservation Society (UK) and the SAVE Foundation of Australia and the assistance of Friends of Hwange, WEZ and National Parks, we hope to have the park fully operational by the end of July this year. This is an ongoing project and we will continue to try and raise funds for fuel for the water pumps etc. In order to avoid a repetition of last year’s water crisis, we need to supply 10 000 litres of diesel per month to the park to keep the pans full of water. Any assistance towards this will be greatly appreciated.

POACHING INTENSIFIES

In the past few weeks, we have received several alarming reports of fish and wildlife poaching around the country. With the current economic situation and the levels of unemployment, the poaching is intensifying and has reached crisis proportions. With the fuel shortages, National Parks are unable to carry out anti poaching patrols so the poachers are free to go about their business in broad daylight.

In the Sanyati Gorge in Kariba there are dozens of poachers netting fish illegally and even offering to sell their catches to anyone passing by. They make their boats from the bark of the large trees at the water’s edge which are perching and nesting sites for the Fish Eagle. A colleague reported counting more than 30 trees that had been stripped of their bark on both sides of the gorge. This problem is threefold – the poachers are killing the fish, destroying the vegetation and depriving the Fish Eagle of their homes. Whilst we sympathize with the local people who are trying to make money any way they can in a floundering economy, we can’t allow this to continue.

In the Mana Pools area in the Zambezi, Zambian poachers are netting fish openly at all times of the day. Zimbabwean safari operators have tried to carry out their own anti poaching patrols but had to stop because they were being stoned from the Zambian side. We have alerted the Zambian Ministry of Wildlife and Environment and asked them to please mobilize their police anti poaching units to try and contain the problem.

In the past year, we have lost several black rhino to poachers and we have been receiving reports of intensified poaching in the Chisarira Game Reserve.

National Parks, the police and the Lake Captain in Kariba are extremely concerned about the situation. They would desperately like to do something about it but are unable to effectively control the poaching because of the lack of fuel. We have many people who are prepared to assist the authorities with anti poaching patrols. Residents in Kariba and Mana Pools are keen to set up anti poaching units but fuel is required. We are appealing to anyone who can help. It is very important that we tackle this problem immediately so if anyone would like to assist, please contact us – contact details are below.

ILLEGAL HUNTING CONTINUES

The notorious Out of Africa Safaris who have been banned from hunting in Zimbabwe are still hunting here undeterred. They have changed their name and are hunting with certain unscrupulous Zimbabwean and South Africa safari companies in the Matetsi area.

Although hunting has been banned in the Hwange area, we are still getting reports of illegal hunting taking place in the Railway Farm area near Hwange Safari Lodge. It is suspected that senior government officials are involved.

Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Phone 263 4 336710
Fax 263 4 339065
Mobile 263 11 603 213
Email [email protected]
www.zctf.mweb.co.zw
www.zimbabwe-art.com