An absolute tragedy and disaster for elephants and other animals. Probably over 100 have died.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_...e-wildlife-park?lite
 

Sorry cyanide. Terrible death for animals

"Zimbabwe's state media reported Tuesday that newly-appointed environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere has vowed harsher jail penalties for poachers.

They already face fines of up to $50,000 USD for every elephant killed and long jail terms according to Washaya-Mayo."

At some point one has to recognize that the fines and jail terms are meaningless if people don't value themselves more than the fines. The real issue, once again, is the stupidity of demand...

And with 100 poisoned elephant carcasses laying around, how many more animals downstream (lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, etc) will this criminal act claim?

Some days I want the animal to win...

The fines are meaningless as they are very seldom, if ever, issued. I can attest to that having arrested many poachers in the last 3 years- pretty much all of them were "back in the field" within days. Unfortunately for some of them they got shot and killed- the only effective punishment for poaching of eles.

quote:

Originally posted by Buzz Charlton:
The fines are meaningless as they are very seldom, if ever, issued. I can attest to that having arrested many poachers in the last 3 years- pretty much all of them were "back in the field" within days. Unfortunately for some of them they got shot and killed- the only effective punishment for poaching of eles.

Three of these guys have just been given prison sentences of 16, 15 and 15 years respectively. I think 15 years in Chikurubi is also a pretty effective punishment.

Jailing or shooting these guys won't even slow the poaching because for every one caught or even killed, there's many more queueing up to take his place because there's so much money involved.

The only effective way to even slow the number of incidents is to catch & properly punish the guys at the top, no matter what their rank, title or fortune & that must include those who hold diplomatic immunity etc.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Jailing or shooting these guys won't even slow the poaching because for every one caught or even killed, there's many more queueing up to take his place because there's so much money involved.

The only effective way to even slow the number of incidents is to catch & properly punish the guys at the top, no matter what their rank, title or fortune & that must include those who hold diplomatic immunity etc.

I agree that first prize would be the guys at the top Steve, but shooting poachers does certainly slow down the poaching rate. Whenever a gang has been wiped out in the Save, for example, the poaching has died down for ages afterwards. I also think these new harsher sentences promised by the Minister of environment will make a difference - 15 years in Chikurubi may as well be a death sentence.

Dave,

It might temporarily slow but will never stop the poaching...... All the while there are guys out there with a family, no income, no education & no sense of responsibility who know they can go out & earn enough money in one night to feed their family for a year or often considerably more, it'll continue.

(IMO) Unless the Govts of the world pursue & properly punish the guys at the top, Africa can kiss the rhino & probably the elephants goodbye.

All the cute pics, groups & uplifting messages on Farcebook, studies, task forces, workshops, coffee mornings, & fundraisers etc around the world are a complete waste of time, money & effort.

The answer is in the hands of the Governments & they're doing f**k all practical about it.

Damn Shame...

some years back one of my ph's once said the "some of these people aren't quite human" guess maybe he was right

How about undercover agents and get all the people behind the curtains?
Maybe drop some cyanide over to China, Philipines, Japan etc. with flyers " Touche from elephants "

I agree with both Steve and David. It may slow down but until several VIP's go to jail it won't stop. Probably won't even stop then. I note in passing that 90 tusked elephant in a month is just short of 20% of the CITES quota for an entire year. Best defense (in my opinion, but what do I know?) is outfitter's boots on the ground.
k

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Dave,

It might temporarily slow but will never stop the poaching...... All the while there are guys out there with a family, no income, no education & no sense of responsibility who know they can go out & earn enough money in one night to feed their family for a year or often considerably more, it'll continue.

(IMO) Unless the Govts of the world pursue & properly punish the guys at the top, Africa can kiss the rhino & probably the elephants goodbye.

All the cute pics, groups & uplifting messages on Farcebook, studies, task forces, workshops, coffee mornings, & fundraisers etc around the world are a complete waste of time, money & effort.

The answer is in the hands of the Governments & they're doing f**k all practical about it.

http://www.zimbabwesituation.c...ath-toll-reaches-95/


Elephant death toll reaches 95

Posted on October 4, 2013 by ZimSitRep_J



FIVE more elephant carcasses, suspected to have been poisoned with cyanide have been discovered at Ngamo Forest, an area in Lupane adjacent to the Hwange National Park.

The carcasses bring to 95 the number of elephants that have been died from cyanide poisoning since the arrest of 6 men suspected to be part of a poaching syndicate that was using the poison to kill the jumbos, on 29 August.

The chief conservator of forests in the Forestry Commission, Mr Armstrong Tembo confirmed the development yesterday.

He said the first carcass in the forest was discovered on Friday.

“Four more were discovered by a team that went to carry out further investigations. Three pairs of elephant tusks were recovered from the rotting animals. We suspect two pairs were taken away by poachers,” said Mr Tembo.

He said the Forestry Commission would today visit the area with experts from the Environmental Management Agency to determine the extent of poisoning and map out a strategy to detoxify the area.

Mr Tembo said poisoning animals with cyanide was a cruel way of hunting that had far reaching consequences to the environment.

“People should be compassionate because carnivorous animals that feed on the dead elephants will also die. Various plants and animals in the ecosystem would be affected, including humans. As it is, we are likely to find more dead animals tomorrow,” he said.

Mr Tembo said samples from the dead elephants had been sent to EMA for testing TO find out what had killed them.

Contacted for comment yesterday, EMA provincial manager for Matabeleland North Mrs Chipo Mpofu-Zuze confirmed that the samples had been received.

“Traces of cyanide were found on the samples. Tomorrow we will be going to Ngamo forest to supervise detoxification of the area. It must be noted that EMA is a monitoring agency, therefore its role is to give advice and observe that laid down procedures are followed,” said Mrs Mpofu-Zuze.

Meanwhile, a Ministerial delegation will today visit the Chief Siphoso area in Tsholotsho.

The area covers Pelandaba Village where two villagers, brothers Sipho Mafu (53) and Misheck Mafu(46), who were suspected to be part of the syndicate came from.

The delegation is also expected to visit the Hwange National Park to assess work that has been done to remove the poison from the environment and curb rampant poaching.

More details about the trip could not be obtained from the spokesperson of the Parks and Wildlife Management of Zimbabwe, Ms Caroline Washaya.

“I cannot give you the information because it is part of sensitive national security,” said Ms Washaya.

A real shame!

Disturbing to say the least.

http://allafrica.com/stories/2...50130.html?viewall=1


Zimbabwe: We Poisoned Jumbos for a Living, Villagers Confess
5 October 2013




VILLAGERS from Chief Siphoso's area in Tsholotsho District have confessed to making a living out of poisoning elephants with cyanide and yesterday resolved to give up the practice and work with authorities in conserving wildlife.The villagers told a seven-member ministerial delegation led by Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere at Pumula Village under Chief Siphoso that the breaking down of the Campfire programme, council and parks services led to some of them resorting to poaching.

Pumula Village is about 87km from Tsholotsho Centre and is the area where cyanide poisoning of elephants was rife. Villagers asked the delegation, comprising Cabinet Ministers Professor Jonathan Moyo (Information, Media and Broadcasting Services), Cde Kembo Mohadi (Home Affairs), Dr Sydney Sekeramayi (Defence), Dr Ignatius Chombo (Local Government) and Engineer Walter Mzembi (Tourism), for a month-long amnesty during which they pledged to introspect and convince those among them that still had cyanide to hand it over to the authorities.

At least 95 elephants have died after consuming salt laced with cyanide. Environmentalists have warned that the poison could go through the food chain, killing animals that fed on the elephant carcasses and even humans.

Villagers are reportedly being exploited by syndicates who pay them as little as US$500 to kill elephants, with the syndicates selling a pair of tusks for as much as US$17 000.

Contributing to the discussion, a villager, Mr John Vumile Dube, pleaded with the Government to give villagers who still had cyanide at their homesteads, up to the end of the month to hand it over to the authorities.

"We have been working with Chief Siphoso and we have already convinced some villagers to hand over cyanide. We are pleading with the police to give us time and stop arresting villagers, at least until the end of the month.

"Anyone caught with the dangerous chemical after that would have to face the wrath of the law. Most of our children have fled to South Africa after people started being arrested over the issue. Please give us a chance to caucus among ourselves to get rid of all the cyanide in the village," said Mr Dube drawing applause from other villagers.

He said he had been working with Campfire since 1987 and problems started in 2009 when the organisation's structure seemingly broke down.

"Campfire stopped remitting the 60 percent it is supposed to give to village wards from the disposal of natural resources.

"The parks rangers stopped patrolling areas adjacent to Hwange National Park and there was no one left to deal with problem animals. Elephants started moving from the park to the villages destroying people's crops.

As we speak, there are areas like Ward 1 and 7 where people have not harvested anything since 2009 because of the elephants," said Mr Dube.

He said people started hating elephants then, because they were being arrested if they killed them.

"Poverty and hunger drove people to start this cruel practice of poisoning elephants that they had been co-existing with," said Mr Dube to more applause.

Chief Siphoso said people who were involved in the "callous" hunting method were greedy and jealous.

"We have to take the blame for the despicable actions of our children. However, I appeal to the Government to avail more funds to enable park rangers to establish more base stations and be better able to patrol the park and deal with the problem animals. The one base at Hwange is too far for this large area.

I must say I am pleased with the stiff sentences that were given to poachers who were arrested recently. They were unlike the usual six month sentences that they served and quickly returned to their wayward ways," said Chief Siphoso.

Three of the eight poachers who were arrested were each slapped with 16 year jail sentences. Chief Siphoso said villagers were ready to remove deviant elements among themselves and work at preserving their cultural heritage and natural wealth in sustainable ways that would develop the area.

Tsholotsho Rural District Council's chief executive officer, Mr Themba Moyo, said a major problem in the area was poor cell phone network and lack of transport.

"When problems arise, it is difficult to notify the authorities on time. If we see people being involved in criminal activities or animals causing havoc in the villages, by the time we make a report, they would be gone. Council and parks rangers also do not have an adequate fleet of vehicles to attend scenes when they are called by villagers. Criminals are taking advantage of this loophole," said Mr Moyo.

Cde Kasukuwere told the villagers that Cde Mohadi had agreed to grant the amnesty. He said the Government would ensure that the Campfire model was reviewed if it was not working.

"We should see Zimbabweans benefiting from their resources. If they are not, they will work with foreigners to destroy their birthright. It is good that all stakeholders are here and everyone has spoken openly. Together we shall act on all the information and ensure that there is positive change.

Tsholotsho is an arid area that has been hit by a series of poor harvests, it only makes sense that people here should benefit from their wildlife," said Cde Kasukuwere.

To date cyanide poisoning incident has killed at least 95 elephants, two buffalos, a kudu, giraffe, lion, two painted dogs and lots of vultures that fed on the poisoned carcasses.

The Government has embarked on a programme that has since brought a buy-in from stakeholders that include villagers, Tsholotsho RDC, Campfire, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and safari hunters to stamp out poaching, especially using the highly toxic cyanide.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201310120236.html


Zimbabwe: Eight More Elephant Carcasses Found
12 October 2013




EIGHT more elephant carcasses have been discovered in Hwange National Park in what is suspected to be a fresh case of cyanide poisoning.

According to latest reports, over 90 elephants have died of cyanide poisoning in the giant national park in what has been described as the worst poaching disaster in Zimbabwe's history.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager Ms Caroline Washaya Moyo yesterday said the carcasses recently discovered were barely a day old.

"Eight more carcasses have been discovered in Hwange National Park and seven dead vultures were also found. We suspect that this is a fresh case of poisoning. However, we cannot reveal more details as investigations into the matter are still in progress," she said.

Recently, three of the eight poachers arrested for spawning the Hwange ecological disaster after poisoning water holes and salt pans with cyanide pellets were jailed for an effective 16 years each.

The poisoning killed over 87 elephants and an indeterminate number of other animals on the food chain.

Villagers from Chief Siphoso's area in Tsholotsho District confessed to making a living out of poisoning elephants with cyanide and resolved to give up the practice and work with authorities in conserving wildlife.

The villagers told a seven-member ministerial delegation led by Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere at Pumula Village under Chief Siphoso, that the breaking down of the Campfire programme, council and parks services led some of them to resort to poaching.

Pumula Village is about 87km from Tsholotsho Centre and is the area where cyanide poisoning of elephants was rife.