ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE

3rd July 2008

IMIRE SAFARI RANCH INVADED

Many of you will be familiar with Imire Safari Ranch from our reports about the orphaned baby rhino, Tatenda, the warthog, Hogwash, the hyena, Tsotsi and the elephant who thinks she is a buffalo, Nzou.

Many years ago, Imire Safari Ranch was designated by National Parks and the government as a black rhino breeding area and for this reason, it is one of the few places in Zimbabwe that still has wildlife. John and Judy Travers have devoted the best part of their lives to caring for these animals and have played a very important role in the preservation of the endangered black rhino in Zimbabwe.

On Sunday 29th June 2008, a group of war veterans went to Imire and demanded that John Travers shoot 3 impala for them to eat. When John refused, they stated that they would burn the place down. They were extremely aggressive and John eventually had no option but to shoot the impala. The invaders left with the impala, saying that Imire was at the top of their list and they were going to take it. The next morning, John reported the incident to the police who responded by initiating investigations.

Last night, Wednesday 2nd July, a group of about 16 war veterans arrived at Imire and told the Travers to vacate the property by this morning, Thursday 3rd July. They were threatened with their lives if they didn't comply. It has been alleged that an army general is leading the eviction thugs.

It is a foregone conclusion that if the invaders succeed in evicting the Travers, all the animals will be slaughtered within a very short space of time. We have reported the matter to National Parks who have confirmed to us that Imire is designated as a black rhino breeding area and is therefore not part of the land redistribution programme. They say that the invaders have obviously taken the law into their own hands and they will give the matter their urgent attention.

We are extremely concerned about all the animals at Imire, but in particular, Tatenda, Hogwash, Tsotsi and Nzou who we have come to know so well. We will circulate an update as soon as we have more news.

Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Landline: 263 4 336710
Landline/Fax: 263 4 339065
Mobile: 263 11 603 213
Email: galorand@mweb.co.zw
Website: www.zctf.mweb.co.zw

ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE

3rd July 2008

IMIRE SITUATION DIFFUSED

It is with great relief and pleasure that we announce that the invasion of Imire Safari Ranch has been prevented for the time being.

Our heartfelt gratitude to National Parks who mobilized very quickly this morning, together with the police, the army and the Central Intelligence Organization. They are all spending the night at Imire tonight and if the war veterans attempt to carry out their threats, we are confident that they will come off second best.

John Travers received phone calls from the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Francis Nhema, the Minister of Defence, Sidney Sekeramai and the Governor of Mashonaland East, assuring him that Imire will be protected.

On behalf of all Zimbabweans, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to Minister Nhema, Minister Sekeremai, the Governor of Mashonaland East, National Parks, the Zimbabwean Republican Police, the Zimbabwean Defence Forces and the Central Intelligence Organization for using their powers of authority to prevent a tragedy from happening at Imire Safari Ranch.

Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
Landline: 263 4 336710
Landline/Fax: 263 4 339065
Mobile: 263 11 603 213
Email: galorand@mweb.co.zw
Website: www.zctf.mweb.co.zw

I feel for those guys... have been down that road with mum and dad in Africa!

Happy end for now!
I hope it all works out soon in Zim.- What one man can do to one great nation....