Parks operations hindered

The Herald February 10, 2009

New Ziana.

THE operations of the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority hang in the balance due to erratic fuel supplies and manpower shortage, an official said on Sunday.

Director General Dr Morris Mutsambiwa said the rate of poaching called for more resources.

"Poaching incidents especially of the rhino are on the increase," he said.

"Shortages of fuel have been making it difficult to carry out operations in most of the affected areas."

Dr Mutsambiwa said poaching had become rampant in the Southeast Lowveld.

"The poachers are locals who have knowledge of the terrain and animal hideouts which had made it difficult for us to apprehend them," he said.

The Parks fleet, he said, was no longer suitable for day to day operations.

"Some of our vehicles are no longer fit for
our operations especially in the Eastern Highlands," he said.

Dr Mutsambiwa said foreigners were mostly involved in poaching activities in the past, but recent incidents revealed increased local participation.

He said the scourge had affected most National Parks in the country.

"Hwange National Park, the Chizarira area of the Zambezi Valley are some of the most affected," he said.

Dr Mutsambiwa said the rhino population in the Save Conservancy was under serious threat. — New Ziana.

The poachers dont use trucks so why should Parks need them. Could it be that they are to lazy get out and get er done.

Gunny - try the fact that they effectively haven't been paid since November. You cannot even buy locally grown vegetables in Zim $ anymore (and I haven't seen any of the new new notes (we introduced yet another new currency two weeks ago after dropping another 12 Zeros'- that25 so far in total).

Being stationed in the bush- their salaries are paid into the banks. Since November the banks have not been alowed by the government to give out cash (well customers limited to US$ 0.1 per day- yup stand in a queue for 4 hrs to draw 10 cents)- but the parks guys are in the bush and cannot go to town to stand in a queue..

I was at Mana pools this weekend and the Warden IC was paid the Zim Equivalent of US$2 for January. School fees at the nearest government school are US$ 300 per term... The rangers and Sergents under him of course earned alot less. Basically the crew of the whole station, and their families, were starving

I having been working recently with some Parks rangers, on anti-poaching activities in the Save Valley. Considering their deplorable working conditions, I have found them to be most effective. Of course, we make sure that their stay with us is as comfortable as possible and we back them up 100%, but still one does not expect continued dedication from people doing a sometimes dangerous job and earning such a pittance. And not only were the guys I was working with dedicated, they were also interested and interesting, polite and humorous. They are doing a great job here, as are Police Support Unit. Interesting how we haven't had a rhino poached since they began their combined operations? I have no doubt it will happen at some stage, but those poachers should be prepared for a surprise when they do decide to make a move!

Dave

My first trip to Zim, and that was back in 02 when things did not seem near so bad..

As a short cut out of our concession. We came out the Hwange gate and four Park rangers were there begging for meat!.. I was pretty shocked to say the least.
As we passed I asked my PH if this was for real and not some kind of scam or just trying to mooch some extra income.. He said, nope!.. It's for real all right..

We then backed up to the gate and cut off a hind 1/4 of my Buff.. The trackes/skinners wern't too happy about that one..

I know of one park ranger who ate meat the last two months. The guy who was with us. We left three days before Christmas, and he got $60 like the rest of the crew, and about 100pounds off of my Buffalo. I gave his kids a couple of the snack pack crackers and cheese packs I had left, and you would have thought I was passing out krugerrands. We have so much, and they have so little.

Rich
Buff Killer

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
I know of one park ranger who ate meat the last two months. The guy who was with us. We left three days before Christmas, and he got $60 like the rest of the crew, and about 100pounds off of my Buffalo. I gave his kids a couple of the snack pack crackers and cheese packs I had left, and you would have thought I was passing out krugerrands. We have so much, and they have so little.

Rich
Buff Killer

Yep, and I'm sure it's because of you guys that most of them stay at work.

This calls for a new type of hunt...with a bounty instead of a trophy fee.

On one safari, we ran into poachers. The game scout told us to shoot to kill them if we had the chance. There is no way in hell I'm killing another human being over an animal I am there to sport hunt.

But I'm all right with that country's game scouts or army are doing it. Their country, their decision.

JPK

An armed poacher was shot dead in the Chiredzi Conservancy by gamescouts a few weeks ago. My, what an impact it has had on poaching throughout the area!