Safari operators rake in billions in hunting deals

Harare Bureau

ZIMBABWE safari operators have raked in billions of dollars in hunting deals clinched at the 34th Safari Club International Hunting Convention in Reno, Nevada, in the United States despite negative Western media publicity.

Local safari operators were among thousands of sportsmen from 50 countries around the world in Reno, Nevada where the figure again shattered all previous attendance records to help make the International Hunters’ Convention the largest gathering in safari hunting history.
The world’s largest international hunting show brought some 20 500 SCI member buyers and exhibitors together to “Celebrate the Hunt†across the globe.
Last year, SCI’s previous recordbreaking show, brought 19 700 hunters together in Reno while the 2004 show played host to some 17 000 attendees to promote sustainable hunting of wildlife.
The new deals indicated that Zimbabwe was still in demand among US hunters, Parks and Wildlife Management Authority board chairman, Mr George Pangeti, said yesterday.
Parks authority Director General, Dr Morris Mtsambiwa, said although their arrival was characterised by negative publicity against Zimbabwe, local operators had clinched hunting deals in the weeklong hunting convention.
“There were media reports that discouraged American hunters from having anything to do with Zimbabwe as this would mean promoting the socalled human rights abuses said to be happening here,†he said.
He said the reports turned a blind eye to the fact that Zimbabwe has one of the best hunting trophies in the southern African region.
“After discussing the matter with a few other members of our team, we decided to meet the United States of America’s Fish and Wildlife Services, a scientific authority responsible for the importation of trophies in Zimbabwe,†Dr Mtsambiwa said.
He said there were no indications that the body was in support of the negative advocacy.
“The meeting went well and the American authority assured us that they had no problem with receiving trophies from Zimbabwe.â€
Dr Mtsambiwa said many US hunters were optimistic about hunting in the country and this could be seen by business deals that were negotiated by the local operators.
“Many Americans were interested and there were even concerns on why we were not offering lion hunting quarters in Matabeleland North meaning the hunters are fully aware of the quality of trophies that are found in Zimbabwe and have been following events.
â€The authority banned hunting of lions in the Matabeleland North Province last year to allow for the improvement of trophies that had been affected by depleted populations of male lions.
“The hunting success rate had also declined and we hope to start hunting activities in 2008,†Dr Mtsambiwa said.
“Some private operators have already managed to sell the quota we awarded them during the convention.â€
He said other conventions were also underway in Dallas and Houston where Zimbabwean safari operators were marketing their products.
Campfire Director, Mr Charles Jonga, who was also part of the delegation that participated at the convention, said bookings were made for hunting in the next three years.
Other safari operators who participated at the convention are former Matabeleland North governor, Mr Jacob Mudenda, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chairman and chief executive of Makuti Safari and Game Lodges, Mr Emmanuel Fundira, Zimbabwe Tour and Safari Operators and Forestry Commission of Zimbabwe hunting division officials.

I think he meant "billions of Zim dollars", not USD or NZD or Euros.

a billion Zim $ = 1 loaf of bread and MAYBE a cheap cup of coffee

You're close Cats.