The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting ZPHGA Statement on elephants in ZimbabweGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| ZPHGA Statement on elephants in Zimbabwe | Login/Join |
One of Us |
http://zphga.org/malipati-tusker/ Malipati Tusker 120lbs Elephant hunted south of Gonarezhou The Elephant that measured 120lbs on both sides that was recently harvested in the Malipati Safari Area south of Gonarezhou was a magnificent bull but, Iconic? Little is known of this elephant and the only confirmed report of his presence was from the air some three weeks ago by the Frankfurt Zoological Society who have been working in Gonarezhou for several years now; unknown to visitors, tourists and Parks staff alike images of this giant tusker were not paraded around; he was not famous, sought after and ‘followed’ by the media, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. Although the Gonarezhou is/ was famed for its big tuskers – Kabakwe, otherwise known as Kambaku, poached in the mid 80’s, was the most famous of the Park‘s iconic bulls. Not a ‘resident’ of the Gonarezhou, but of Kruger, whose wanderings like others, brought him north , a giant tusker yes, well known to the south, but not an ICONIC Gonarezhou and Zimbabwe elephant. Once again the hunting industry finds itself under scrutiny BUT let us put aside the noise and look at the facts – The bull has not been aged properly but Rowan Martin, Zimbabwe’s elephant expert, estimates that this bull would most likely not be younger than 40years of age, his sunken temples are indicative of an aging animal and in all probability passed his prime and breeding years. This would also mean in the past 15 years he would have been classified as a trophy for sure weighing 50lbs very early in his life, by 90% of hunters simply because of his genes. This is a rather liberal assumption. The Gonarezhou National park is, by and large, surrounded by hunting areas; the Elephant survey of 2014 put the population of Gonarezhou together with the Mahenya area at 11452 which is up 123% from the 2001 count; with quota being set at 0.5% some 57 hunting permits would have been issued for the area which is certainly sustainable. The Chiredzi Rural Council controls vast swathes of Communal land from the Limpopo north where hunting is permitted to around the Gonarezhou. The bull in question, presumably on its journey north, passed through some of the communal hunting blocks where it could have been shot by a hunter. Yes, people would have been aghast and amazed at the news of such a large tusker been taken in the Communal areas; of course there would be criticism, that is a foregone conclusion BUT, it is believed the response would have far less vehement and disapproving, than we see today – the influencing factor is the Gonarezhou and the close proximity of the Malipati Safari area. The chances of this particular bull being in a hunting area when a hunt is being conducted have got to be very small and the possibility of his been shot as minimal as is evident in him reaching a ripe old age and not being known, especially since he has been a Bull of interest to hunters for 15 years. Zimbabwe has produced 4 bulls of over 100lbs in the past 6 years in the Gonarezhou and Hwange areas. To our knowledge this is an increase from the previous decade. So it appears Zimbabwe is doing something right in these areas as far as quotas are concerned. Hunting methods certainly have not changed. Zimbabwe has a reputation for big tuskers among the hunting fraternity but unfortunately, the photographic sector seems not to be able to convey this message. This needs to change. What other country has and continues to produce as many big tuskers as Zimbabwe today? The Gonarezhou is clearly a hidden gem and, with the involvement of Frankfurt Zoological Society, it will only prosper further. The world needs to be made aware of this and that there are tuskers other than this migratory bull. In this discussion it is of importance to note that at the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters and Guides Association 2014 AGM a proposal was put forward to our members that the photographic sector wanted to propose a maximum tusk limit of 80 pounds-a-side. The vote on this proposal was a resounding 79% NO. Please bear in mind we also have Professional Photographic Guides as members. Our members sent a counter proposal to the non consumptive sector of the Safari Operators Association Zimbabwe (SOAZ) suggesting we follow and implement the Kruger Magnificent 7 model. This is a quote from the minutes of the SOAZ committee meeting in February 2015: ” The counter-proposal was for each Park to identify 6 or 7 good bulls; name and collar them and give the tuskers status for publicity purposes. They should be designated as a National Treasure and should be protected by Parks Rangers. Members of SOAZ and ZPHGA would be instructed not to shoot these animals. This system had been implemented in South Africa. It was agreed this exercise should start in Hwange.” Unfortunately this proposal has not moved forward much and it would need legislation to implement, it can be done. We the “Zimbabwean Hunters” are willing to work for the greater good of our wildlife, country and its people and we insist on having Zimbabwean solutions. This is evident in the above quote and the fact that we had the “Hunting turnaround Workshop” PRIOR to the Cecil saga. There is however only so much we can do. We do need to push this proposal, but we need the non consumptive operators to get more involved in implementation. Chairman ZPHGA | ||
|
One of Us |
Excellent Statement!! That really addresses all the questions I posed on the tusker thread. That the hunting areas surrounding parks are conducting sustainable operations, evidenced by the increase in park populations feeding those lands, and as such are a valuable contributor to conservation. This statement also includes a CODIFIED plan to address whether or not, and more importantly, how, certain animals should be classified as "off limits" without the subjectiveness of individual "ethics" assertions AFTER THE FACT!  | |||
|
| One of Us |
I could not have worded it better- I firmly believe that Parks should with the help of many NGO take the initiative and collar the bigger bulls. I do not believe that any ethical PH or client would have an issue tracking a bull only to find that it was "on the protected list" but he could have shot it! On the contrary I believe most would feel very privileged to turned him down. Maybe with this amazing bull now been shot Parks will initiate this. | |||
|
| One of Us |
In the ideal world once these bulls are collared and aged Parks would be able to determine when the bull was in his last years and that is when he should be auctioned off and he would generate close to $1000 000 which should then be utilized for anti poaching and collaring the next generation of super tuskers. Having said this in present day Zim would this be possible is any ones guess | |||
|
| One of Us |
+1 Mike | |||
|
| One of Us |
It would be a privilege to just take photos of these bulls. The experience of the hunt would be enhanced. STAY IN THE FIGHT! | |||
|
| One of Us |
I agree Todd. And it was issued by the smallest and most under funded group out there. I like that the Photo operators were "called out". It is time they put up a little more. | |||
|
One of Us |
I think the idea of collaring big park bulls and having them declared off limits to hunters is a reasonable approach. That is what was done years ago with other iconic Zim tuskers, Kabakwe, Chipitani Joe, Ishe and Bimba for example. I am not sure where the notion of "6 or 7 good bulls" comes from though, seems to me that it makes more sense to simply collar every park elephant with ivory greater than [80] pounds on any one side. Also seems ironic to me that as sportsmen we are essentially saying, the great tuskers need to be collared to be protected from us as hunters because we do not have the self control to track, approach and pass on something above a certain size. The collars are sure not intended to protect the tuskers from poachers, Kabakwe as noted above was killed by poachers and the collar was never found. The collars being called for are to protect the tuskers from us. Mike | |||
|
| One of Us |
+1 Legal well managed and scientific hunting/harvesting is the way to save africa remaining elephants. Same time the best way to save the old tuskers will be to make them off limit to hunters. Collar the old tuskers and hope Frankfort zoo builds a fence. Mike | |||
|
One of Us |
Just a thought here, nothing more, but how will/would that come across to the Public in general? Here is an animal that is no longer contributing to the gene pool, so when he gets to point B, he can be auctioned off to the highest bidder and shot! Somehow I see a lot of negatives with that. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I am fairly certain Nat Geo did not contact Zim Professional Hunters for their input. That being said; it is imperative that this type of information is put out to the general regular diet of streaming information. We keep getting caught with our knickers down and having to play duck and hide defense. We are losing the war of hearts and minds every day. In the last 4 months how much ground have we lost? Florida has it's first bear season starting next Saturday. I have 6 bears located and will help a friend bag one. I can't dare purchase a bear tag because the state has made the list public information and tag holders a getting abused by antis. It would kill my practice to have this shit happen. I am bowhunting right now bored stiff but never dreamed I would feel pressure not to participate in a legal hunt. Feel free to insult me but I have to maintain my business. It sucks... This needs to change...NOW Jeff | |||
|
| One of Us |
Great statement! ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
|
| one of us |
I see some progress for example did the non hunting public know of any of the conservation and community benefits derived from hunting before we were brought under attack or into the spotlight? The next time we are brought under attack at least they will think twice. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I know the feeling. LORD, let my bullets go where my crosshairs show. Not all who wander are lost. NEVER TRUST A FART!!! Cecil Leonard | |||
|
| One of Us |
I believe it will, but I am not real sure the change will be for the good. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
|
One of Us |
This statement from National Parks just circulated now by SOAZ. STATEMENT FROM ZIMBABWE PARKS & WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY TROPHY ELEPHANT WAS HUNTED IN MALIPATI SAFARI AREA NOT GONAREZHOU. On the 7th of October 2015, an adult male elephant was hunted as a trophy by a foreign client through a locally registered safari company in Malipati Safari area. The elephant had tusks weighing 55 and 54 kilogrammes respectively. Contrary to social media reports which are misleading alleging that the elephant in question was hunted in in Gonarezhou National Park. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority further dismisses the report as false and malicious since Zimparks does not allow trophy hunting in a National Park. In Zimbabwe hunting is legally permitted in the following land tenure categories, State safari areas and gazetted indigenous forests, in communal areas under the Communal Areas Management Programmes for indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) and on private land. Malipati Safari Area, is part of the Parks and Wildlife Estate, located in the south eastern part of the country and adjacent to Gonarezhou National Park. Currently, Malipati Safari Area is being leased out to the Chiredzi Rural District council under the CAMPFIRE arrangements where communities will benefit from revenue generated from wildlife based projects including hunting in the area. Such hunts go a long way in assisting communities in the surrounding area. The elephant population of Gonarezhou-Malipati complex is estimated of 11 452 elephants from the 2014 aerial survey. Malipati safari area is allocated sustainable quota and hunting permit for all wildlife species including elephants on annual basis. Zimbabwe subscribes to the principle of sustainable utilization of its natural resources, including consumptive and non-consumptive utilization of wildlife. Wildlife utilization programmes and projects generate revenue that is used to develop local community areas and contribute to the improvement of living standards of local communities that live with wildlife or adjacent to protected areas and to support conservation programmes. -------------
| |||
|
One of Us |
Because that makes sense...let's spare the old to take animals more in their prime and with potential to become big tuskers! Good grief. Frankly, I would take the whole policy the other way...slot limits. If you want more big bulls, it's time to stop shooting the smaller ones with potential! Reduce quotas when necessary, spare bulls greater than 40 or 50 pounds but under 80 or 90. In other words, shoot anything under 40 or over 80-90. The exception would be any very old animal in that middle category with genetics that won't yield big tusks.....$10,000+ fine if the bull is between 40 and 80 pounds and ages under X years. | |||
|
| One of Us |
Good luck with the "slot limit" idea. Please keep us posted on your efforts to push the idea forward. I have no problem protecting and declaring elephant bulls over some pound weight as off limits. They are rare treasures and do not deserve to be treated like a redfish, IMHO. Mike | |||
|
| One of Us |
But they don't have to be as rare as they are...that's the point. Not that they are the same, and I would be interested to talk to a biologist about how this might apply to other species, but you don't get more big deer by protecting the big ones (they are mortal after all) you get more big deer by protecting the youngsters and putting a MINIMUM on what size can be harvested, not a maximum! Wouldn't it be nice to see more 80 pounders because they weren't shot so quickly at 50 or 60? Frankly, we all jawbone about how "Oh, it's about the hunt for me" and this and that....well, if that's the case, are you willing to invest the time and money in shooting smaller elephant (or none if one can't be found) to ensure that there are more big elephant later? If not, you may be a hunter, but a conservationist you are not. | |||
|
| One of Us |
That what be an excellent solution in my opinion. It sure has done wonders for our Redfish population and quality. There is only so much habitat available for elephants..... | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting African Big Game Hunting ZPHGA Statement on elephants in Zimbabwe
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia
