Wildlife decimation threatens tourism
Zim Independent

Itai Mushekwe
ZIMBABWE'S tourism industry faces collapse after reports of extensive
wildlife deaths due to poaching and lack of water in national parks with
Gonarezhou and Hwange particularly badly hit.

Government this week made a tacit admission of the growing disaster,
although National Parks Authority officials have been evading questions on
the threat posed to the tourism industry by rising deaths among wildlife
species.

Tourism minister Francis Nhema this week said government was moving swiftly
to save the animals.

"We have begun drilling strategic boreholes and moving the animals to the
nearest water points," he said.

"Our major problem are the elephants because they need more water. We are
hoping that the rains will favour us and alleviate the problem."

Nhema said the receding water table in the parks had exacerbated the crisis
prompting government to transfer water in bowsers to the affected areas,
while identifying new water sources to supplement these efforts.

Wildlife plays a central role in foreign currency generation through game
viewing and licensed hunting. The water problems will further worsen already
dwindling tourism business casting doubt over government's resuscitation
efforts.

Hundreds of animals are reportedly dying daily due to lack of water in the
arid national parks with elephants the most vulnerable. Tourists have been
forced to watch animals fighting over scarce waterholes.

Hwange National Park spans 14 000 square kilometres and has a population of
50 000 elephants, 36 000 more than the carrying capacity of 14 000
elephants. An elephant requires at least 100 litres of water a day to
survive.

Another dilemma facing the parks authority is the lack of adequate
boreholes.

Out of 60 boreholes only seven are working. But this failure is due to lack
of maintenance, conservationists charge.

National Parks Authority spokesperson, Retired Major Edward Mbewe, said his
organisaton had managed to put in corrective measures to deal with the
situation.

"We have managed to dig a 2,5 km trench from a water point managed by Zinwa
(Zimbabwe National Water Authority) at Hwange National Park. The water
points have high yielding pumps, and the water will be funnelled to a
central point where distribution to the park will be made."

Mbewe said Hwange Colliery had donated pipes for the project, which will
alleviate prevailing problems.

He said plans were under way to construct at least three troughs per
borehole for water holding and preservation purposes.

Private sector organisations such as the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
have been instrumental in getting fuel supplies to the affected areas.

Zimbabwe Council of Tourism chairman, Tom Chuma, said government and
National Parks authorities should put their house in order considering the
economic benefits of wildlife.

"Our industry depends on wildlife and the parks. The state of their health
is what drives the tourism industry," he said.

"We expect all responsible authorities to do what they're supposed to do,
and that is ensuring the wildlife and parks are in a functional state."

This drought seems to be affecting a huge part of Africa......here in White river RSA, we've just been told the town only has enough water for 12 more days!

Are there any fundi's out there who can tell us if it's due to El Ninjo or the greenhouse effect etc?

More importantly, can they tell me if it's going to rain in White River over the next 12 days?

Hi Steve /

Well I guess we can blame it on GWB he seems to get the blame for everything in this world lately (-: ... dont get me wrong ( without getting too political) I am a supporter of Bush, just being rather topical & cynical ...

BTW we have had some (reasonable rains) in Limpopo province within the last week at Alan's two ranches regionally near Louis Trichardt, also some good start of the rains in Zambia Southern Kafue Park region, but the secret will it continue !!

These (world weather patters) are not predictable like they were years ago and even in NZ our seasons are changing and seeminly moving on a month or so from the usual.

Take care in White River

Regards, Peter

I got the impression in 2002 that Hwamge was virtually a tourist ghost-town and not worth spending time in it. I remembered having very good times in Hwange in 1994 with my wife on honeymoon and spending lots of time at some quiet waterholes (Western end of the park) and blinds for hours watching the game come in. Simple private lodges (Nantwich) on a hill by themselves for $20 a day, driving around and viewing game wherever.

I know th Vic Falls hotels and resorts were near empty, around 5 - 15% of capacity at a peak time.

I think it would have worsened since, not improved.

What relevance to now? I was there in one of the worst droughts for decades (1993/1994) and because Parks had $$$ it was not too bad. The man supplied water is very critical in some parks.

All this means less money for fuel and parts for bores and water, and less money to manage game, which is a valuable resource. Certainly the poachers think so.

quote:

More importantly, can they tell me if it's going to rain in White River over the next 12 days?

We had big floods here this week, half my property was under water. I'll bottle some and send it to you.