CITES boss’ planned conservancy visit angers Harare
http://www.zimonline.co.za/

by Own Correspondent Friday 05 February 2010

HARARE – Zimbabwean officials are unhappy that CITES chief Willem
Wijnstekers will tour a top private game conservancy during his visit to
Zimbabwe next week, apparently fearful he will end up learning too much
about wanton poaching decimating the country’s wildlife, sources told
ZimOnline Thursday.

The CITES secretary general is expected in Harare on Monday for talks with
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa,
Attorney General Johannes Tomana, police chief Augustine Chihuri and
commissioner of taxes Geshom Pasi.

Wijnstekers was initially scheduled to meet Mugabe but government officials
on Thursday said this was no longer possible.

The CITES boss will discuss with Mnangagwa the alleged involvement of senior
military officers in poaching while he seeks to establish from Chihuri and
Tomana security measures put in place to curb illegal killing of protected
wildlife and measures taken against those caught poaching including the
levels of sentencing.

But officials at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Management are more worried that Wijnstekers will upon arrival visit the
largely white-owned private Save Conservancy that has suffered poaching
while some parts of the reserve have been invaded by supporters of Mugabe’s
ZANU PF party.

"We are concerned by the undiplomatic conduct of Wijnstekers,'" said a
senior official, who spoke on condition he was not named. The visit to the
conservancy is private (but) we feel he could have done so some other time.
We are concerned he will be only told that which suits whites interests and
government will not be able to defend itself."

Wijnstekers only begins meeting government officials on Tuesday after his
return from Save.

However while officials fumed about Wijnstekers’ alleged lack of diplomatic
etiquette, private conservationists said the real cause of Harare’s anger
was the fact that the Save trip will allow them (private conservationists)
an opportunity to apprise the CITES boss of rampant poaching in Zimbabwe.

Poaching has been rife in Zimbabwe since landless black villagers began
invading – with tacit approval from the government – white-owned farms and
game conservancies over the past nine years.

Some of the country’s biggest state-owned nature and game conservancies
including Gonarezhou national park that forms part of the Great Limpopo
Transfrontier straddling across Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa have
large parts occupied by villagers.

There has also been an upsurge in the poaching of endangered species such as
the rhino targeted for its horn that is exported mainly to China and Vietnam
where it is in huge demand. International syndicates working with local
gangs are said to be behind rhino poaching.

While other reports say illegal and uncontrolled trophy hunting on former
white-owned conservancies now controlled by powerful government officials
and members of Mugabe’s ZANU PF party politicians has been on the rise.

The government however denies politicians are illegally hunting game and
insists it still has poaching under control. – ZimOnline

Poaching Threat to Wildlife
http://www.thestandard.co.zw/

Saturday, 06 February 2010 14:17

BULAWAYO - Zimbabwe may never know the extent of the wanton poaching that
has decimated the country's wildlife now because the government does not
have the money to carry out a game census.
The revelations came on the eve of a visit this week by Cites chief Willem
Wijnstekers, which might open a can of worms on organised illegal hunting of
game in Zimbabwe.

Wijnstekers will hold talks with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Defence
Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Attorney-General Johannes Tomana, Police
Commissioner- General Augustine Chihuri and Zimra boss Geshom Pasi.

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) is supposed to
carry out a game census every year to determine hunting quotas.

However, it has been unable to carry out any game count since 2008, a
development that has unsettled conservationists.

The last census had revealed that the parks and estates had 100 000
elephants, 25 000 buffaloes and 70 00 zebras.

Some conservationists have accused the authority of deliberately delaying
the census to hide the extent of poaching by its officials working in
cohorts with ministers and other senior government officials.

"The problem with illegal hunting is that it is taking place with the
assistance of national parks officials and there are many cases where they
are involved, either for personal gain or because they are following orders
from more senior officials or politicians," chairman of the Zimbabwe
Conservation Taskforce (ZCTF) Johnny Rodrigues said in an interview.

But Caroline Washaya Moyo, the ZPWMA public relations officer, blamed the
developments on financial challenges.

"This (2008) is the last time that a wildlife population census was
conducted as the authority was facing challenges financially and hence there
were limited resources to enable it to constantly do a country-wide wildlife
count," Washaya-Moyo said without revealing how much is required to
undertake the exercise.

She dismissed Rodrigues' allegations that the delays could be deliberate as
baseless.

The country has been plagued by an upsurge in poaching activities.

In December, government had to suspend the issuing of hunting licences to
curb poaching.
According to statistics provided by the ZCTF, the country last year lost 350
rhinos, 20 000 zebras and over 6 000 elephants to poachers.

Most rhino horns and zebra skins leaving the country and southern Africa as
a whole are destined for medicinal markets in southeast and east Asia,
especially Vietnam and China.

Wildlife tourism was once one of the country's major foreign currency
earners before a decade of invasions of national parks by President Robert
Mugabe's supporters.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

CITES boss arrives in Zimbabwe

by Own Correspondent Wednesday 10 February 2010


HARARE – CITES secretary general Willem Wijnstekers has arrived in Zimbabwe on four-day working visit which will see him meeting Prime Minister (PM) Morgan Tsvangirai and Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa over rampant poaching decimating wildlife in the southern African country and said to involve top politicians and army officials.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) chief who jetted into Harare late Monday will also meet Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Environment Minister Francis Nhema and other senior government officials.

According to the official programme, Wijnstekers will meet the PM on Thursday.

Wijnstekers will discuss with Mnangagwa the alleged involvement of senior military officers in poaching while he seeks to establish from Chinamasa security measures put in place to curb illegal killing of protected wildlife and measures taken against those caught poaching including the levels of sentencing.

"Zimbabwe welcomes the visit by the CITES secretary general as it affords an opportunity to interact with political leadership thus ensuring long term sustainable wildlife management policies," department of National Parks and Wildlife Management said in statement.

The CITES boss is accompanied by John Sellar, chief enforcement officer responsible for providing technical advice and support in relation to the enforcement of the Convention, said the statement.

"He monitors illegal trade in wildlife and liaises with law enforcement agencies at the national, regional and international levels, particularly Interpol and the World Customs Organisation. He also coordinates work by CITES Enforcement Task Forces and the CITES Enforcement Expert group."

After his arrival Wijnstekers proceeded on a private visit to the largely white-owned Save Conservancy that has suffered poaching while some parts of the reserve have been invaded by supporters of President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF party.

Zimbabwean officials last week expressed displeasure that the CITES chief would tour the top private game conservancy during his visit to the country, saying he would be only told that which suits whites interests and the government will not be able to defend itself.

The visit comes after a report in December by TRAFFIC, IUCN and three other wildlife organisations said Zimbabwe and South Africa have the highest incidences of poaching on the continent.

Wijnstekers is the current CITES secretary general and he supervises the global implementation of CITES and its strategic vision. He is also responsible for policy formulation and direction within the secretariat.

Poaching has been rife in Zimbabwe since landless black villagers began invading – with tacit approval from the government – white-owned farms and game conservancies over the past nine years.

Some of the country’s biggest state-owned nature and game conservancies including Gonarezhou National Park that forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier straddling across Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa have large parts occupied by villagers.

In many cases farm invaders poach animals for meat and cut down trees for sale as firewood mostly to people living in urban areas.

But there has also been an upsurge in the poaching of endangered species such as the rhino targeted for its horn that is exported mainly to China and Vietnam where it is in huge demand. International syndicates working with local gangs are said to be behind rhino poaching.

There have also been reports of illegal and uncontrolled trophy hunting on former white-owned conservancies now controlled by powerful government officials and ZANU PF politicians.

The government however denies politicians are illegally hunting game and insists it still has poaching under control. – ZimOnline

Truly sad...When will it end???

Mugabe has to realize that there has to be a more viable plan than 12 million wire snares to feed the 12 million people in Zimbabwe.

Such a beautiful country with diverse wildlife spiraling into a giant Haiti with slash and burn agricultural and domestic practices.

We’re not here to punish Harare: CITES chief
http://www.zimonline.co.za/

by Own Correspondent Thursday 11 February 2010

HARARE – CITES secretary general Willem Wijnstekers on Wednesday said his
visit to Zimbabwe is meant to help rather than punish Harare, as he began
his official business in the southern African country.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) chief jetted into Harare late Monday accompanied by the
conservation watchdog’s chief enforcement officer responsible for providing
technical advice and support in relation to the enforcement of the
Convention, John Sellar.

“We are not here to punish but to help,” said Wijnstekers, adding that he
wanted to get first hand information on poaching statistics which have been
circulated in the media.

Wijnstekers will hold meetings with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, Tourism Minister Francis Nhema, police
Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and other top government officials to
discuss the high levels of poaching in the country.

He also said his visit to Save Conservancy after his arrival was on the
invitation of the owner of Sango Ranch. The CITES boss was accompanied to
Save Conservancy by European Union Ambassador to Zimbabwe Xavier Machal and
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Director General Morris Mtsambiwa.

Zimbabwean officials had last week expressed displeasure that the CITES
chief would tour the white-owned game conservancy during his visit to the
country, saying it would influence his assessment of the country’s wildlife
situation in favour of private interests.

Parks and Wildlife Management Authority director for conservation Vitalis
Chadenga also welcomed the visit to the country by Wijnstekers saying it
helps to put the poaching speculation to rest.

‘‘We welcome the SG’s visit as it affords us an opportunity to put the
record straight concerning poaching particularly of Black Rhinos," he said.

"While the country has witnessed poaching cases some media reports were
clearly exaggerated and it is critically important that we separate the
facts from fiction."

Wijnstekers is expected to announce the findings of his visit today.

Poaching has been rife in Zimbabwe since landless black villagers began
invading – with tacit approval from the government – white-owned farms and
game conservancies over the past nine years.

There has also been an upsurge in the poaching of endangered species such as
the rhino targeted for its horn that is exported mainly to China and Vietnam
where it is in huge demand.

The situation has not been helped by reports of illegal and uncontrolled
trophy hunting on former white-owned conservancies now controlled by
powerful government officials and ZANU PF politicians although the
government denies politicians are illegally hunting game and insists it
still has poaching under control. – ZimOnline

Zimbabwean security forces accused of poaching



By CHENGETAI ZVAUYA
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 11, 2010; 12:08 PM

HARARE, Zimbabwe -- The leader of a U.N. program to protect endangered species on Thursday charged that Zimbabwean security forces are spearheading poaching of elephants and rhinos in the troubled country.

At a news conference Thursday in Harare, Willem Wijnstekers, secretary-general of the U.N. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, said security forces had killed about 200 rhinos over the past two years, putting that population on the verge of extinction in Zimbabwe. He did not give a figure on elephants.

Wijnstekers did not give details on the allegations against security forces.

"Questions are now being asked on whether the Zimbabwe government is doing enough to protect its wildlife," Wijnstekers said. "This leaves us with no option but to recommend that the country be brought before the CITES board to explain the poaching. If they fail to do that they risk being banned to trade in ivory."


Wijnstekers, who is on fact-finding mission in Zimbabwe, said he had briefed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

"He expressed his concern and has said that those security agents must face the law and be arrested as he does acknowledge the problem that is happening in the wildlife sector," he said.

Zimbabwe's minister of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Francis Nhema, said he has been briefed by police about security forces being involved in poaching. Nhema says Zimbabwe is asking Wijnstekers's organization, known as CITES, for help.

"There is a perception worldwide about breakdown of law and order in the country," Nhema said, saying Zimbabwe needed vehicles and helicopters to track down poachers.

Restoring the rule of law was one of the goals of a coalition government formed last year between longtime opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai has made little headway in changing the character of the government.

Mugabe, who has led the country since 1980, is accused of buying the loyalty of his security forces by allowing them to engage in criminal activities, then using them to trample dissent.

Honkey:

You are so right -and Kathi's posts (very educational and sadly, also informing us all of bad things to come)don't help to improve my thoughts about Zimbabwe. I was there for about a month in 1993 -and never forgot the country and its people in the bush and loved Africa then. Unfortunately, Zimbabwe is ruled by a psychopath -who, even back in 1993 I heard was a superstititious maniac.

Media Lies About Poaching - Nhema
11 February 2010


Harare — Zimbabwe has the appropriate policies and legal instruments to conserve its wildlife and natural resources but needs support with resources, a Cabinet minister has said.

In a meeting with Convention of Trade in Endangered Species secretary-general Mr Willen Wijnstekers at his offices yesterday, Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister Francis Nhema said reports about increased poaching in Zimbabwe were false.

He said people opposed to the indigenisation of the commercial wildlife sector were behind the claims.

"The Government of Zimbabwe acknowledges the importance of conservation and is working to make sure it preserves its wildlife.

"The policies are there and there is close co-operation between the agencies of Government. In fact, this is a priority for us.

"There is also a realisation within the judiciary of the need to treat poaching just like any other serious crime. We have a lot of exaggerations in incidences of poaching to a point where these allegations are destroying what they are seeking to protect," he said.

Police Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri said Cites should realise that Zimbabwe had two faces: that of what is happening on the ground and what is peddled by hostile foreign media.

"We have the real Zimbabwe and the other that is the creation of the media.

"These people are not telling the world what is happening and we will not lose sleep over that.

"We see reports on the Internet, but we know the peddlers of these rumours are doing it for selfish reasons or are selling the information for money."

Comm-Gen Chihuri said international syndicates were behind most poaching and absolved the security services of involvement.

He added: "We cannot be taught how to manage our animals by countries that do not even have a lizard.

"The sanctions have made our operations difficult and what we need is support not lessons."


Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Zimbabwe would do everything in its power to protect its wildlife.

Earlier in the day, the delegation met Home Affairs co-Ministers Kembo Mohadi and Giles Mutsekwa.

The two said Zimbabwe was willing to work with the international community to protect its wildlife.

Cites chief law officer Mr John Sellar said they were gathering information on the extent of poaching in Zimbabwe and what assistance could be extended.

He said poaching was rife in other countries and was becoming more sophisticated.

The team also met Zimra Commissioner-General Mr Gershom Pasi.

European Commission head of delegation Mr Xavier Marchal said Zimbabwe was well-known for its wildlife management policies.

I wonder if this may threaten the importation of sport hunted ivory into the US. Doesn't the problem with Mozambican ivory have something to do with CITES?
Whatever the outcome, no one on this board will be surprised that poaching is out of control in much of the country, and that government officials are complicit.

Cites: Help us, help ourselves

From The Herald
February 12, 2010


THEY are the lords of the jungle, unchallenged in their supremacy and size.

The huge grey mounds of flesh have reduced many of Zimbabwe’s forests to stunted bush shrubbery and also killed many people as competition for land, space and food increases.

On a small scale, they have also been killed by international poachers.

Zimbabwe is elephant country. The country has 110 000 elephants when its actual holding capacity is a mere 56 000. The stunted bush shrubbery you see in Mana Pools, Hwange, Zambezi and Gonarezhou are scars left in their supreme grazing style.

Today, Zimbabwe has 26 tonnes of ivory worth US$4 million in stock but is failing to unlock the marketing matrix due to a moratorium on the sale of raw ivory put by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES_.

Every, hour, minute and, indeed, every second that passes, the ivory is guarded by the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority but there is no economic benefit for the country.

Elephants are central to Zimbabwe’s tourism as they feature on the itinerary of every discerning tourist, visiting the 68 national and recreational parks. From Hwange, Zambezi up to Gonarezhou National Park, the elephant is major attraction.

Zimbabwe is on the agenda of the CITES meeting to be held in Doha, Qatar, from March 14 to 25 where its rival in elephant management, Kenya, has proposed a 20-year-ban on the sale of ivory.

This to Zimbabwe is nonsense because in 20 years, the country would have accumulated about 100 tonnes of ivory, whose value will be equivalent to zero until the country is allowed to sell the ivory.

In the ill-conceived thinking at CITES, the sale of ivory promotes poaching.

Yet, if sold, the ivory’s earnings could be ploughed back to sustainable elephant management projects and improve the jumbo’s position in Zimbabwe’s tourism matrix.

Parks board chairman Mr George Pangeti has this to say:

‘‘Zimbabwe vehemently rejects the moratorium on the sale of ivory. We will fight that it is not debated. Kenya is pushing for this because it is not for pro-sustainable use of natural resources. Kenya has also pushed for a once-off sale of all rhino horns, but we are saying no. They do not understand us. Poaching was terrible in 2007, but it drastically reduced in 2008 when we changed our anti-poaching strategies and also equipped our game rangers and remunerated them properly.

"We equipped game rangers with vehicles, boats and aircraft. Before 2008, they had inadequate equipment and their life was uncomfortable, but we now have made their lives comfortable. Poaching was mainly elephant, rhino and plains game. Over and above a jail term of between 15 and 20 years, we demand compensation of US$20 000 per elephant and US$120 000 for a rhino.

"Poaching is no longer worth it."

lFeedback: isadore.guvamombe@zimpapers.co.zw.