ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE

5th October 2008

IMIRE RHINO POACHERS RELEASED ON BAIL

Our elation over the arrest of the 4 poachers responsible for the deaths of 18 rhino, including the 3 killed at Imire Safari Park, was short-lived because they have been released on bail and have absconded. This is a great disappointment Zimbabwe's so-called "legal system" which we thought, incorrectly as it turns out, was starting to show signs of working. It seems nothing has changed.

RHINO POACHING ESCALATES

According to a report released by the WWF, 70 rhinos have been killed in Lowveld conservancies since the land reform programme started in 2000, 20 of which have been killed this year alone. This means that 27 rhinos have been slaughtered countrywide this year so far, and these are only the ones we know of.

RHINO SHOT AT CHIPANGALI

We received a report last month of a pregnant rhino that was shot at Chipangali by a ZANU PF official with a high powered rifle. The poacher allegedly removed the horn and left the carcass behind.

SPORT HUNTING INSIDE NATIONAL PARKS

Further to our August report where we stated that National Parks have issued permits to South African hunters to shoot elephants inside Hwange National Park, we have now received information that the average monthly salary for a National Parks employee is 5000 Zimbabwean Dollars per month. At today's exchange rate, this is equivalent to less than one US cent! In a desperate attempt to supplement their salaries, the National Parks Authority has offered to give each employee 10 kilograms of game meat per month in addition to their paltry $5 000. It is expected that about 30 000 kilograms of meat will be harvested for this purpose every month. Along with the elephants also being shot to feed crocodiles, it is obvious that the survival of our wildlife is now being seriously threatened by the very people who are supposed to be protecting it.

Photographic safari operators in Hwange are extremely concerned about the situation. Professional hunters have been seen in Hwange and Victoria Falls National Parks for the past few months and reports have been made of shots being heard by tourists, hunting vehicles continually sighted at Nyamandlovu Platform and Makwa Pan in Hwange and carcasses being seen next to tourist roads and water holes.

It is alleged that Headman Sibanda, a Zimbabwean professional hunter whose name has been linked to illegal and unethical hunting, has been issued a quota to shoot 100 elephants in Victoria Falls National Park.

ELEPHANT CULLING IN KARIBA

It has been reported from Kariba that National Parks have decided to kill 50 elephants, in and around Kariba as part of "the cull".

CHARARA NEW YEAR'S PARTY.

Just to make matters a bit worse, the National Anglers' Union have ignored our petition to try and have the venue of the annual New Years' party changed, and have decided that it will be held again this year in Charara, as usual. We intend to take any steps necessary to prevent this from happening.

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
Website: www.zimbabwe-art.com