http://allafrica.com/stories/201605170353.html



Zimbabwe: Cecil the Lion Generates Millions

By Lloyd Gumbo



The killing of Cecil, the lion in Hwange mid last year generated millions of money for researchers while the community in which the lion lived did not get a fraction of the proceeds, Parliamentarians heard yesterday.

Campfire Association director Mr Charles Jonga said it was important for wildlife communities where there were hunting activities to benefit from any activity that brings money instead of hunting only.

He made the remarks when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Water, Tourism and Hospitality Industry chaired by Zanu-PF MP for Rushinga, Cde Wonder Mashange.

Legislators wanted to know how communities around campfire districts benefited from the campfire programme and how the association dealt with human and wildlife conflict.

"We know that the killing of Cecil generated a lot of money for researchers, millions of pounds," said Mr Jonga.

"But there is no obligation that makes it necessary that some of that money perhaps should have been used at least to alleviate the problem of human and wildlife conflict in the form of patrols.



"What communities require is that when animals get into their area causing damage, they must be driven away as quickly as possible and when an animal ends up killing somebody, appropriate action needs to be taken not two days or five days later but as immediately as is possible. This is not happening with the present arrangement that we have in Hwange."

Mr Jonga said while the killing of Cecil, caught international ire and headlines, Zimbabwe and its villagers around wildlife areas did not get any recognition for protecting wildlife.

"For Cecil to exist, it was because somebody had to look after it but Zimbabwe did not take any credit for the protection of lions like Cecil that are under the protection of national parks, that are even under the protection of ordinary members of the communities because they don't go around killing lions.

"Hwange has staggering numbers of cattle that are eaten on an annual basis. Researchers must be able to carry some of the costs that people are bearing because they are suffering losses.

"These are the same people that loved Cecil so much that feel that communities need protection but don't want to do anything about it," said Mr Jonga.


He said campfire money was inadequate for communities where problem animal control was the responsibility of rural district councils only.

"To this end, Government is being requested to explore ways of compelling existing tourism players such as private lodges, hotels and all wildlife-based non-governmental organisations and research programmes in Hwange District that are benefiting from the same animals which cause local people problems to contribute towards conflict mitigation through a levy of at least three percent of their income," said Mr Jonga.

Mr Jonga also bemoaned the conflict between wildlife and mining, particularly in Nyatana area under Mudzi/Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe and Rushinga, where operations have been hampered by rampant gold panning.

He said Government had started implementing a five-year Global Environment Facility worth about $5, 6 million funded by the World Bank. The Hwange -- Sanyati Biological Corridor project led by the Worldwide Fund for Nature Zimbabwe focuses on human and wildlife conflict mitigation and livelihood improvement for Campfire communities in Tsholotsho.

The fund also focuses on wildlife restocking and monitoring means of improving community livelihoods in Sidinda ward in Hwange.

This guy makes an excellent point: hunters aren't the only 'consumers' of a wildlife 'product'

FINALLY! A reasonable statement from someone that seems to know what is really happening.

This is a valuable post. Thanks again, Kathi, Brian

Thanks Kathi...