Govt urged to intervene in illegal hunting at Hwange

http://www.swradioafrica.com/

By Alex Bell
24 May 2013

The government has been urged to put a stop to illegal hunting taking place
in the protected Hwange National Park, where the Environment Ministry has
been accused of granting hunting quotas.

The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF) has raised concern about the
illicit practice, which the group’s Chairman Johnny Rodrigues said was the
result of illegal hunting licenses being handed over.

Rodrigues told SW Radio Africa that they have received a number of reports
from tourists in Hwange who heard gunfire in the park. He said this backs up
their investigations that have uncovered what appear to be sport hunting
quotas approved by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in
areas that are protected.

“The areas are supposed to be no-hunting areas, areas that are prime tourism
locations for photography and photographic safaris. But some people are
being given licences to hunt and we have already lost two elephants,”
Rodrigues said.

Hwange is home to Zimbabwe’s Presidential elephant herd, a unique clan of
over 500 wild African elephants that roam freely on unfenced land adjoining
Hwange National Park Main Camp. They are meant to be protected.

“When people’s backs are turned underhanded things continue to happen
involving people who have solid government connections. We are also hearing
unconfirmed reports that paying overseas hunters are once again, as did
happen in previous years despite denials by the wildlife authorities, being
allowed inside Hwange National Park to hunt,” Rodrigues said.

He added: “It is past time that the Ministry of Environment and Natural
Resources look after the wildlife that they are tasked to protect rather
than assisting in its destruction, especially in such an important tourism
area as Hwange and we are appalled that no progress in fixing any of the
problems is evident.”

I bet the "government" is behind hunting in the national park.

Anyway, I would take anything coming from this guy with an enormous dose of salt!

Another anti-hunting nitwit.

My wife and I spent a week in Hwange park last year, before a safari with Zambezi Hunters. We heard gunshots as well!
I spent the better part of the day with a gal from Oxford university, that is the head of the Lion research project.
I asked her about it, and she to knew of this, and was appalled!!
She said that the fellow n charge of the park was "allowing a group from South Africa" to hunt inside the park.
One of the guides also told us a story of being hired by a middle eastern Sultan, or King, (I do forget the actual title) to scout for big bulls, and that some had been shot inside the park. (I believe this hunter had paid a deposit or in full for something like 15-20 Ele's)
Having said that, we had a most amazing time inside Hwange, and it was definitely the most memorable outdoor adventure anywhere we have been in the world!!!