Just heard that PHs CLAUDIO och MAX CHIARELLI was shot and killed by poachers a parks patrol in Zimbabwe.

This just released by SOAZ:

Please find below the formal statement from National Parks on the tragic accidental shooting of Claudio Chiarelli and his son Max in the Mana Pools area. Further information will be circulated when it is received from the Parks investigation.

SOAZ and ZPHGA offer their heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Chiarelli and the family.
Further details will be advised as they are received.


ZIMBABWE PARKS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY,PRESS STAMENT ON THE TRAGIC SHOOTING ACCIDENT, MANA-POOLS.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the Board Chairman Mr Tichafa Mundangepfupfu and Director General, Mr Edson Chidziya regret to announce the accidental and tragic incident which caused the death of two males, Mr Claudio Chiarelli and Mr Max Chiarelli members of the Zambezi Society collaborating with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority on wildlife conservation .

Over the past two days gun shots were heard in the Mana Pools area which led to the pair assisting the Authority with anti-poaching deployments. On the fateful late Sunday afternoon, 13 March 2016, rangers who had since been on deployment pursuing the spoor of suspected poachers and were due for uplift came across a fresh fire place in dense vegetation, which they suspected to have been used by poachers. The rangers continued following the spoor of the poachers, they later saw movement in the thicket, heard voices and opened fire, accidentally shooting and killing the pair on the spot.
.
Unbeknown to them these were fresh deployments who had come to replace the rangers and had stopped to attend to a mechanical problem on their vehicle.
In the meantime investigations are underway.

National Parks Public Relations Dept.

But still, investigations are ongoing.

Any more on the subject?

Absolutely tragic, condolences to their families.

Terrible news. Goes from bad to worse in Zim.

Terrible news of the death of Claudio and max . From what I have heard it was not a shoot out with poachers but an aweful mix up with a national parks patrol that they were assisting. However FULL details are not out and nothing is confirmed. Until such a time which I am sure will be later today it would be appropriate that one does not jump to conclusions. I myself would not have posted this had I not seen the angles that this would take . My heartfelt condolences to Julia Anna loosing her husband and son and the rest of the Cherelli family - I can't imagine what they will be going through now .

Absolutely. It will be some time before all the facts are out in the open. Claudio and Max were good men who were doing what they could for the anti-poaching effort, and they will be sorely missed.

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
Terrible news of the death of Claudio and max . From what I have heard it was not a shoot out with poachers but an aweful mix up with a national parks patrol that they were assisting. However FULL details are not out and nothing is confirmed. Until such a time which I am sure will be later today it would be appropriate that one does not jump to conclusions. I myself would not have posted this had I not seen the angles that this would take . My heartfelt condolences to Julia Anna loosing her husband and son and the rest of the Cherelli family - I can't imagine what they will be going through now .

Very sad indeed, our condolences to the family and friends

As sent to me from Nigel Theisen:

from Lynn Taylor:-

Before you hear it from any other source:

Morning my Family: there's been an awful tragedy here in Mana Pools with which we hv been peripherally involved: PH Claudio Cirelli (sp) and son Max shot dead yesterday evening by the very parks patrol unit they intended to uplift. They were about 4 ks from here. On the main road between Nyaka Gate and Mana P HQ. They were standing at their vehicle with open bonnet checking something together with Francesco Marconatti who was on the far side of the vehicle. The bush is very thick. The ranger concerned apparently saw legs and a patch of blue shirt. Not knowing where he was despite a few feet from main road he opened fire killing both instantly. Francesco hid on ground on other side of vehicle and had bullets around his head. I spoke to him on the phone at the scene and so am accurate in this account.

Our Sincere condolences to Guiliana and daughter Virginia. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them at this very tragic and immensely sad time.

Our sources inside the Zimbabwe parks authority, have confirmed this tragic incident took place in mana pools national park. Claudio and Max, together with Franchesco, a partner in a photographic camp in mana where assisting national parks with transport and logistics, and were waiting to uplift a parks call sign who had been on patrol.

The Incident happened around last light /early evening. Information coming out of the valley indicates parks patrol fired on the group, who were standing by their vehicle waiting for the patrol to meet them.killing Claudio and Max. Francesco and other parks patrol they had uplifted a while earlier survived the incident . Police and parks authority Regional Manager for the northern region where going in at first light to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

There is a lot of speculation reverberating through our wildlife industry today, we are hoping for a detailed statement from the Director General of Zimbabwe parks authority sometime in the next day or two.

Just bloody tragic. A good friend.

Condolences to Guilianna and Virginia.

Sorry didn't see Lane's post above, before posting ours. However our stories are the same. Poor training, nothing else I am afraid. And we hv said this time and time again. If he could see legs, why couldn't he see the vehicle? And you are walking towards your pick up point..?

If they had radio communications , gps's etc, this should never have happened. Unfortunately unless everyone is on the same page, and able to cross reference locstats etc, this is going to happen. Parks are eager for the volunteer assistance, but also do not want to have these guys to be in any form of control of such operations.

Parks will probably not allow anymore volunteers to participate and help in this conservation effort, let's see the outcome... As usual probably going to be a knee jerk reaction, with additional laws and hurdles put in place, instead of policing and implementing the existing ones properly.

That does not sound like an accident to me.
What patrol will simply open fire on an unidentified vehicle and its occupants.

That even defies any shoot on sight order as that too requires the target to be identified as a poacher.

Really sorry for the family.

Exactly that.. Know your target, identify and then engage.. It could have easily been a tourist vehicle with a breakdown.. Instead a families lives have been changed forever. Hind sight will always unfortunately be 20/20.

Last week we chatted to Claudio at our local rifle range on the outskirts of Harare , where he recounted a story of an incident the previous week, where a gang of armed poachers had been engaged on two, or maybe three occasions in a 24-36hr period. Parks didn't manage to kill or arrest any of them,they picked up several sets of ivory,a 404 calibre rifle, cooking pots and food rations etc after one of the contacts..he did not have much praise for the parks rangers involved. He reiterated what we have long said, poorly equipped and trained.!!

Not everyone is bright enough and well in the mind to carry a weapon and work in law enforcement.That and believing they can get away with killing an innocent person.

http://www.theguardian.com/wor...y-ranger-in-zimbabwe



Father and son on anti-poaching patrol killed by ranger in Zimbabwe


Men shot dead as they stood outside their vehicle in Mana Pools national park, in apparent case of mistaken identity

Agence France-Presse in Harare


Monday 14 March 2016 08.27 EDT Last modified on Monday 14 March 2016 08.39 EDT


A man and his son have been shot dead by a wildlife ranger while on an anti-poaching patrol in Zimbabwe, in an apparent case of mistaken identity.

The two were killed in the Mana Pools national park in the north of the country on Sunday.

“Claudio Chiarelli, who was an accomplished professional hunter who brought European tourists to Zimbabwe, was accidentally shot with his son and they both died,” Emmanuel Fundira, head of the Safari Operators Association, said on Monday.


“Claudio and some colleagues were on a trip with a parks anti-poaching unit when a ranger came from nowhere and shot at them while they were standing outside their vehicle. We understand it was a case of mistaken identity.”

Fundira said private individuals regularly assisted Zimbabwean anti-poaching activities by providing logistical support for patrols.

Chiarelli, reportedly from Padua, Italy, had lived in Zimbabwe since 1982 and his son was born in the country, an Italian embassy official said.

Italian media reports said Chiarelli was 50, and named his son Massimiliano, aged 20.

“We can confirm it happened yesterday at Mana Pools national park but we are not aware of the exact details,” said the official. “We are in contact with the family. It’s a tragedy. The loss of a father and a son, and also for Zimbabwe for the bad publicity it will generate.”

The government parks department and police said they were investigating the incident.

Terrible tragedy. My condolences to the family and friends.

Absolutely inexcusable tragedy. Situation is so bizarre sounding to cause one to seriously question the "mistaken identity" explanation . . . it is simply too hard to fathom incompetence of that magnitude. Condolences to the family.

This just released by SOAZ:

Please find below the formal statement from National Parks on the tragic accidental shooting of Claudio Chiarelli and his son Max in the Mana Pools area. Further information will be circulated when it is received from the Parks investigation.

SOAZ and ZPHGA offer their heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Chiarelli and the family.
Further details will be advised as they are received.


ZIMBABWE PARKS AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY,PRESS STAMENT ON THE TRAGIC SHOOTING ACCIDENT, MANA-POOLS.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the Board Chairman Mr Tichafa Mundangepfupfu and Director General, Mr Edson Chidziya regret to announce the accidental and tragic incident which caused the death of two males, Mr Claudio Chiarelli and Mr Max Chiarelli members of the Zambezi Society collaborating with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority on wildlife conservation .

Over the past two days gun shots were heard in the Mana Pools area which led to the pair assisting the Authority with anti-poaching deployments. On the fateful late Sunday afternoon, 13 March 2016, rangers who had since been on deployment pursuing the spoor of suspected poachers and were due for uplift came across a fresh fire place in dense vegetation, which they suspected to have been used by poachers. The rangers continued following the spoor of the poachers, they later saw movement in the thicket, heard voices and opened fire, accidentally shooting and killing the pair on the spot.
.
Unbeknown to them these were fresh deployments who had come to replace the rangers and had stopped to attend to a mechanical problem on their vehicle.
In the meantime investigations are underway.

National Parks Public Relations Dept.

But still, investigations are ongoing.

My prayers to the families of those killed, and my sincere hopes that the men who were killed are now hunting in a land filled with the game of olde Africa.

May they rest in peace.

BH63

They were shot by game rangers .Never shot poachers but they killed Claudio and Max very rare isnt it .Claudio was the only italian that serven in the SELOUS SCOUTS.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Absolutely inexcusable tragedy. Situation is so bizarre sounding to cause one to seriously question the "mistaken identity" explanation . . . it is simply too hard to fathom incompetence of that magnitude. Condolences to the family.

agreed!

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Situation is so bizarre sounding to cause one to seriously question the "mistaken identity" explanation . . . it is simply too hard to fathom incompetence of that magnitude.

Well that's what we all saying. How can u possibly make that "mistake"?? No poachers ever are caught standing by a white safari rigged land cruiser. They operate entirely on foot. What's happened is the parks dept are bankrupt and can't put their anti poaching patrols into place. So in a lot of cases volunteers help by deploying and picking up patrols or wherever else they can. These volunteers are invariably out of season ph's with their winch equipped land cruisers etc for the harsh wet conditions faced during our rains. If they getting in the way of corrupt poaching syndicates what better way to smoke a group of these volunteers to make them quit and get out the way!? I really hope this is not the case.

THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation helping to protect the Zambezi River's valuable wildlife and wildernesses. Find us at www.zamsoc.org and on Facebook The-Zambezi-Society
FACTUAL REPORT ON THE TRAGIC DEATHS OF TWO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS IN MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Statement from The Zambezi Society
14th March 2016

Richard Maasdorp and Gary Layard of The Zambezi Society today visited the scene of the tragic incident which took place in Mana Pools National Park on Sunday 13th March and resulted in the deaths of Claudio Chiarelli and his son Max Chiarelli.

The two deceased died instantly when caught in the mistaken fire of a National Parks patrol of three rangers at about 3.30p.m. yesterday afternoon - Sunday 13th March.

Claudio and Max, together with Francesco Marconati were providing voluntary support to deploy two National Parks anti-poaching patrols consisting of 6 rangers with the intention of uplifting the three rangers who were in the field following fresh spoor of poachers.

The group had parked their vehicle on the side of the road in the middle section of the Mana Pools National Park to await the arrival of the three Park rangers who had been tracking poachers in dense bush since 9.00a.m. that morning.

The intention was to meet at the road and hand over three fresh rangers to continue the follow-up.

Claudio and Max Chiarelli with Francesco Marconati took the opportunity to open the bonnet of their vehicle to inspect the engine. Meanwhile, the 6 Park rangers they were transporting had dismounted from the vehicle and arranged themselves next to it while waiting for their three colleagues to arrive.

Unbeknown to them, the vehicle had been parked within just 15 metres of where the poachers’ tracks had crossed the road.

Meanwhile, the anti-poaching patrol in hot pursuit, heard voices, crouched down, and slowly moved forward through the thick undergrowth.

Through a gap in the bushes, they saw part of a blue shirt. They assumed this was a poacher and let off a burst of gunfire.

Tragically, both Claudio and Max were killed instantly.

As the anti-poaching patrol rangers were crouched, they were unable to see the road at all.

Fortunately, the 6 rangers awaiting deployment did not return fire.

Richard Maasdorp, Strategic Director of The Zambezi Society stated: “Today (Monday 14th March 2016), we witnessed a thorough on-site investigation by the Zimbabwe Police CID and members of the National Parks Investigations Branch and Senior Management.

The Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority and other state organs now, more than ever, need support and resources to contain their battle against wildlife poaching.

We, the Zambezi Society, extend our very deepest sympathy to Mrs Chiarelli and her daughter and the family on this terrible tragedy. We posthumously thank Claudio and Max Chiarelli, as a father and son combination, for the years of dedication that they have shown in support of wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe. This tragedy is deeply regretted.”

E-mail us at zambezi@iwayafrica.co.zw
Note: Richard Maasdorp is currently out of mobile phone range in Mana Pools, but will be available from Tuesday 15th March on +263 772 419897

The ZAMBEZI SOCIETY is "front and center" in the ongoing war to defeat the organized poaching syndicates brutalizing the Lower Zambezi Valley's wildlife. They are one of the very few wildlife conservation NGO's that "walk the walk". They provide manpower, vehicles, boats, fuel, logistics, anti-poaching equipment, etc.

This is one of the saddest threads I have seen in all my years on AR.
Offering a double hammer shotgun in the classifieds in return for donation to the Zambezi Society.

I met them both when they had a camp in Nyakasanga. It was just before Kaddafi was killed in Libya. They were great company and had lots of stories. RIP.

condolences and prayers for their family and friends...

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Absolutely inexcusable tragedy. Situation is so bizarre sounding to cause one to seriously question the "mistaken identity" explanation . . . it is simply too hard to fathom incompetence of that magnitude. Condolences to the family.

agreed!

I am not buying any of it.

Jeff

Nor am I . I have been in contact with some friends in Zim. They all think this was a set up.

Makes me wonder.

Nothing more tragic than "Friendly Fire."

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana Bunduki:

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Absolutely inexcusable tragedy. Situation is so bizarre sounding to cause one to seriously question the "mistaken identity" explanation . . . it is simply too hard to fathom incompetence of that magnitude. Condolences to the family.

agreed!

I am not buying any of it.

Jeff

Me either!

VERY RARE .this isnt friendly fire .Just ask ex parks .

quote:

Originally posted by 376 steyr:
Nothing more tragic than "Friendly Fire."

There is nothing friendly about this fire and the whole thing stinks of whitewash.

This is a war, bad light in evening, nervous, not well trained rangers, unfortunate but it happens
I assume, it was just an accident and gone very wrong
They definitely need better training and equipment
These things happen even here in US during hunting seasons ( and in military ) on occasion
Hunter sees movement in thicket, gets eager and in hurry and kills friend or another hunter
Very very unfortunate
My condolences to the famiglia

I agree. Rather than spawning conspiracy theories this is an opportunity (albeit a very, very unfortunate circumstance) to press for more funding, training, management and everything else associated with the goal that these two men gave their lives for. Lets hope their lives were not in vain.

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
This is a war, bad light in evening, nervous, not well trained rangers, unfortunate but it happens
I assume, it was just an accident and gone very wrong
They definitely need better training and equipment
These things happen even here in US during hunting seasons ( and in military ) on occasion
Hunter sees movement in thicket, gets eager and in hurry and kills friend or another hunter
Very very unfortunate
My condolences to the famiglia

This is a crying shame. Condolences to the friends and family.

I guess you guys who support and help keep in power the the oppressive super corrupt regime of Robert Mugabe shouldn't really be surprised something like this could happen.

Grizz

A simple autopsie will help bring out the truth. How many times shot? How close of range? Did the victims struggle? There has to be Pathologist in Zim. or RSA they could use to tell more about the specifics. There are hundreds of American Doctors in that part of Africa every week doing mission trips. Question is if people in charge want everyone to know the truth.

quote:

Originally posted by martin pieters:
Absolutely tragic, condolences to their families.

What terrible news!

Today's organized poacher is not your cowering game thief of old. Tables turning there, and what a tragedy!