I suspect that my timing couldn't be any worse, especially with the ongoing issues over at the Save Conservancy, but I will give it a try anyway.

I have been communicating (via email) with Ms. Lynne Taylor (founder and co-director) with The Tashinga Initiative Foundation.

The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that was founded in 2009 and depends entirely on donations to fund its projects. It provides support to Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management field operations in all protected areas in the Zambezi Valley including the Sapi and Chewore Safari hunting areas (located in the Lower Zambezi Valley).

Ms. Taylor has just returned from the Lower Zambezi Valley where she and her team were involved in a 2 week radio implementation mission. The mission included the installation and/or upgrading of repeater links using solar power, base radios, provision of handhelds, etc. This has transformed radio communications throughout the entire Valley enhancing connectivity for those game rangers out on patrol defending the Valley's wildlife against the rising tide of poachers. If you are interested in additional information regarding their recent efforts, please access the Tashinga Initiative Foundation's Facebook page where Ms. Taylor has posted several photos chronicling their efforts.

The Foundation has a number of ongoing projects that are helping provide support to Parks and Wildlife Management field operations. As per Ms. Taylor's email, the Foundation has identified two additional projects, that if funded and implemented, will significantly improve the quality of life for the remotely located Mkanga game rangers and their families. The Mkanga Ranger Field Station is located within the Chewore South Safari Area and within a couple of kilometers of Dande North. In addition to the administrative office, the ranger field station includes a village complex for the game rangers and their families.

The first project includes the drilling of a replacement borehole to provide potable fresh water. At this time, the water provided by an existing borehole is non-potable due to high iron and salinity levels. The game rangers and their families are having to dig for drinking water from the Mkanga river. Unfortunately, this source of water is also in jeopardy due to an ongoing drought. In addition to drilling the borehole, the proposed project includes the relocation of solar water pumping equipment on hand to the new borehole site.

The second project includes the installation of a Schneider solar lighting system. At this time, the onsite electrical power generator is sitting idle due to lack of diesel fuel and replacement parts. The game rangers and their families are now faced with undertaking their daily activities without the benefit of electrical power, The proposed solar lighting system includes a couple of central charging systems (with solar panels) and singular batteries located at each of the 36 households. The system will be utilized to power LED lamps located at the entrances to each of the houses, living area, bedroom, and bathroom. The Schneider solar lighting system is currently being utilized in the remote areas of India to provide electrical power to millions of households.

If you are a member of the AR website, then you are keenly and painfully aware of the ongoing (and increasing) organized poaching problems in Zimbabwe (and elsewhere in Africa). The game rangers not only serve as game scouts during our hunts in the Lower Zambezi Valley, but they also conduct critical anti-poaching patrols when they are not serving as game scouts. Despite the hardships that the game rangers and their families are now enduring, they continue to proactively protect the wildlife (especially elephant) from the poachers and their destructive, but marginally effective, AK-47's.

Although morale remains relatively high at this time, it is only a matter of time before their decreasing quality of life begins to negatively impact their mission to protect and defend the wildlife. Not if, but when this occurs, the organized and well funded poachers will step up their efforts to destroy (for profit) the remaining wildlife. As of 1997, the black rhino was poached out of the Chewore and Sapi Safari Areas. Is the majestic elephant next?

Thanks in advance for your interest and financial consideration!

I've just returned - 6 days home - from Chewore South & North. I am familiar with the camp and have heard an interesting story and made an interesting observation this year v. 2011.

I was told that an anti-poaching team of game rangers recently secretly surrounded a poachers camp with three Elephant poachers armed with AK-47s. Without notice nor given warning, the rangers opened up and emptied their AKs into the poacher camp, killing one, seriously wounding another while the third escaped, sans rifle. The wounded poacher later died.

I personally inspected the magazine of my game scout; the 30 round magazine was full, as was another rangers mag. This was not always the case in the past.

This is a war. I am very gratified to have heard the story above and hope it's true. I have dismantled snares, confiscated traps, arrested poachers and burned their camps. As to the one who escaped, well we often let one get away in RVN, so he would spread the word. Fear is a great ally.

REMEMBER:
Poaching will not stop until the cost of being a poacher exceeds the benefit; so shoot straight.

Maybe we ought to be sending the rangers more ammo.

I heard the same story when I hunted Chewore South this past May. Apparently the "contact" resulted in two poachers dying at their campsite, one crawled away from the campsite wounded and his remains were located several hundred meters away (well, what was left because the lions/hyena chewed on him a little), and the fourth was wounded and was apprehended at a hospital several days later. During our hunt, we discovered a poacher's left thigh bone lying in a dry river bed. Apparently the bone was relocated to the river bed by hyena. We contacted the Mkanga ranger station and they advised that the thigh bone was the result of "contact" with poachers several months earlier. Also, while examing our game scout's AK, I asked if he had killed elephant in self defense. He stated that he had and he also added that he had taken several poachers as well. Ongoing anti-poaching efforts are taking their toll on poachers in the Lower Zambezi Valley!

The Chifuti team places a great deal of capitol and effort in the anti poaching effort in both Chewore North and South. This effort is paying dividends and the word is out that this is a dangerous place to enter.Tusked cows have been the target as the small ivory is easy to carry out and store. But ANY poaching will be met with "effective measures" and these animals are getting the clear message that the Chewore area is a risky proposition as several have found out to date. We protect our area, it's game, and our way of life and anti poaching is the tool to keep it that way.

Roger that, Dave! My understanding is that the Chifuti team has been very supportive of the ongoing anti-poaching efforts within the Chewore North and South Safari Areas. As a matter of fact, if you access The Tashinga Initiative's Facebook website, you will find several photos of Andrew Dawson (co-owner of Chifuti)air lifting radio communication equipment to the top of Chirambakadoma. The radio equipment (repeaters, battery packs, solar panels, etc.) that was air lifted and installed provides a very critical communication link between the field station(s) and the game rangers conducting anti-poaching activities within the Valley.

Update from Paul Smith - co-owner of Chifuti. The surviving wounded poacher was arrested in the hospital and has been charged with poaching. Chifuti Safaris is now conducting vehicle repair and maintenance for the NP vehicles as another incentive to encourage and support the anti-poaching tactics of the rangers.

Well done Andrew and Paul!

I have suggested to Paul that Chifuti consider a $100 anti-poaching fee per hunter to provide additional equipment, uniforms, arms and ammunition to the rangers. I believe it is a reasonable amount and have paid similar assessments to outfitters in other countries.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Fulson:
The Chifuti team places a great deal of capitol and effort in the anti poaching effort in both Chewore North and South.

Dave, the capitol is a big part of the problem! I am hoping that Chifuti is using capital instead!! Don't ya just love the spelling police.

Dave and team,

Keep up the good fight guys.

LionHunter, thanks for sharing your observations regarding the game scout's ammo (or lack thereof). During my recent hunt, I did notice that our game scout did not carry any extra magazines with him. I was of the assumption that his magazine was at full carrying capacity and that he would step forward and engage during contact with armed poachers and/or cheeky, aggressive elephant. Now that you have shared your observations with us, I now understand why the game scout is much more likely to initiate a hurried retreat in lieu of tactically engaging the threat. Can't say that I blame him though, especially if his magazine contains only a hand full of FMJ rounds.

I have seen them, over the years and in various countries, with only between 3-5 rounds loaded into a 30rd magazine. They never seem to carry a spare magazine, which has always struck me as a very careless approach to their responsibility of protecting a visiting hunter. Animals are one thing, but walking up onto a poachers camp, as I have done, is another story altogether.

While ahunters scoped, high power, bolt rifle is excellent for a stand-off confrontation at distance, they are virtually useless in a surprise CQB situation against poachers armed with AK-47s. Such a confrontation has cost the life of at least one PH, in front of his clients, over the past year.

All part of why I recommend no less than 10 rounds be carried on your person, in addition to a full load in your rifle, while in the bush. I always carry more like 15-20rds, but then I have a combat mindset.

A separate fund should also be considered from which a bounty or reward is paid to any game scout who brings in a weapon recovered from a 'sortie'.
It has amazingly positive results.

as the Brits would say-brilliant idea, mate!!