Poachers kill nine black rhinos

Herald Reporter

AT least nine black rhinos were poached from the Midlands Conservancy in Gweru this year, raising fears over the protection of the endangered species.

In an interview last week Parks and Wildlife Management Authority national rhino co-ordinator, Mr Geoffreys Matipano said the rhino has remained among the top targets of big time poachers.

"We have lost at least nine black rhinos from Midlands Conservancy.

"As people responsible for the sustainability of the rhinos, we are concerned and considering other options that could strengthen our protection measures," Mr Matipano said.

He said the highly sought after black rhino remains a major target for poachers who sold its products in Asia and the Middle East where some of the animal components are said to be used for traditional medicinal purposes.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority public relations manager Retired Major Edward Mbewe yesterday said the loss of nine black rhinos at Midlands Conservancy was also due to some disturbances in the area where owners stopped being active in the employment of protective measures.

Rtd Major Mbewe said unlike in the past where people were not permitted to move in and out of the conservancy, many people some of whom were poachers assessing the situation, were said to be frequenting the conservancy.

"We, however, feel there is need to work together since the rhinos are owned by the State and strengthen our protection mechanisms. More resources that enable us to effectively monitor the rhinos and make efforts to put horn implants on all our animals are needed.

"The trekking part also calls for specific equipment that we do not have in some of our protected zones. Enhancement can also be achieved if we manage to hire air crafts for effective monitoring," Rtd Maj Mbewe said.

He said the rhino population was multiplying hence the need to formulate new programmes that seek to source for resources that would see all rhinos with detective implants.

"This system is not yet working in some rhino havens and monitoring of the species becomes a major challenge because we will only be relying on foot patrols."

He said there is also need to develop other zones where the rhinos could be placed, as they need space to breed properly and reduce territorial conflicts amongst themselves.

In October last year, several black rhinos were killed at Gourlays Farm in Matabeleland North Province before more than 200 were translocated to various conservancy areas.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority this year launched a more advanced wildlife conservation programme, which saw the establishment of other protection zones for endangered species that included the black rhino.

Several other rhinos are dotted around Gonarezhou National Park, Bubi River Conservancy, Matusadona in Kariba, Chipinge, Sinamatela and Matopo.

The establishment of intensive protection zones (IPZ) and other selected protected areas have, however, not done much to deter poachers from sneaking into the conservancy and killing nine rhinos.

The poaching is rampant in Zim. Probably another in the list of fallout items that can be attributed to Mugabe's land grab programs.

The government has harrassed all the midlands conservancy owners to one degree or another. They dont want white land owners in the conservancy. Its because they cant control the poaching to benefit themselves. The conservancy owners themselves must solicit funds from international groups to keep operating no thanks to the government.

Did they cancel the shoot to kill policy on rhino poachers?

The shoot to kill policy on armed poachers was still in affect this past March.

465H&H

I didn't see any poachers shot (but they weren't poaching rhinos). However, the trackers had no compunction about beating the crap out of a poacher and throwing them in a homemade jail until they could haul them in. It was a beautiful thing!

S.S.S.
Shoot, Shovel & Shut-up has always worked for the unwanted in Africa. It's time to revive the old policys, harsh as they my be.

As I posted in April a shoot out occured while I was in Omay this past March.

While I was in Omay last week there was a night time shoot out betwenn Zim National Parks, National Safaris anti-poacher personal, an Omay Rural district Game scout and a group of 4 poachers from Gokwe a couple of clicks from National Safari's Manuli hunting camp. Results were one poacher DOA, another wounded and captured, a third captured and one wounded and lost. Althouh police and ZNP officers are hot on his trail. No injuries to the good guys.

465H&H