I found this on The African Hunting Gazette's website.... there is a very interesting story here if the truth is ever fully discovered...

Zambia - Leopard Ridge Safaris
Philipp Pfeifer

Leopard Ridge Safaris have been accused of various allegations over the past and now with the deportation of LRS director Ross Michelson we have investigated these various allegations.

Please note that we have deducted the following from documentary evidence in our possession.

LRS were alleged to have fed hyena meat to staff as alleged by the Minster of Tourism in the local – Zambian Press – the matter was fully investigated by the authorities - no evidence was found to substantiate this and according to a letter to The Director General of ZAWA from Banda Blackwell, the chairperson of the Nabwalya Community Recourses Board, “The matter of hyena and lion meat was clarified now for once and for all and we explained that to our knowledge no such activity takes place as we have our people in the Leopard Ridge camps and all hunting is monitored by ZAWA. We have no complaints or information from our community or scouts regarding hyena or lion meat being fed to people and this matter must now be finalized as it is bringing bad publicity to both Leopard Ridge and our areaâ€

LRS – was alleged to have killed dogs within the concession area and dumped them into a local water supply – we have been advised that it was a ZAWA and community exercise and all the LRS did was to provide transport to remove the dead animals, which were fed to crocodiles in the Luangwa River. Again in the letter by Banda Blackwell to ZAWA, “… this was a joint action of the CRB & ZAWA and we asked Leopard Ridge for assistance to provide transport. It was a joint decision to dump the dogs in the Luangwa river where there are many crocodiles to dispose of the bodies and no people collect water there.â€

A director of LRS – Greg Michelson was accused by the Director General of ZAWA of using illegal hunting methods to kill lion called out of the National Park – It would seem that this matter was never investigated by the officers of ZAWA in the area and no charge was brought against Michelson. He was however denied his Professional Hunters License in 2006 and it would seem never afforded the opportunity to defend his charge. The Professional Hunters Association of Zambia has provided documentation to the fact that they investigated the matter fully and in their opinion Michelson has neither breached the Law or the Association code of ethics.

LRS in 2004 season overshot quota by one puku resultant from an administrative error – We are told that they advised ZAWA of the error and paid a penalty and the ZAWA board through their discretionary powers in respect of quota allocation removed the animal from their 2005 quota.

In April 2005 Michelson along with 4 other alleged co conspirators was accused in the press by a state house aid – Mr Alfred Chipoya – of hatching a plot of planning to over throw the ruling party by buying up and destroying the countries maize reserves (maize being the staple diet of the Zambian people, is in massive reserve within the country).
No charges of such a plot has ever been brought against any of the then accused.

LRS was accused of 2 issues of breach of the concession agreement and on these grounds the 2006 hunting season was brought to an abrupt halt for them mid steam in August 2006 – it would seem that they were denied the opportunity to defend either issue and had to resort to court action to retain their concession. The dispute resolution provisions of the contract were disregarded by ZAWA as was the conditions of contract termination. The matter is at level of appeal in the Supreme Court of Zambia awaiting trial.

The local community – Nabwalya Community Resources Board – was denied the only form of income they receive – being from hunting safaris in the concession – due to the cancellation of the lease. The CRB has subsequently been awarded an injunction (which has been seen by our office) to permit the continuation of hunting by Leopard Ridge Safaris and ensure their community income and meat supply for forthcoming seasons.

We have been told that the LRS had to bring a Contempt of court charge against the Director General of ZAWA before the SCI convention to ensure that ZAWA complied with the court orders in place. The legal representative of ZAWA claimed that the DG was unaware of the order.

By virtue of an order of deportation Ross Michelson has been prevented from returning to Zambia subsequent to the SCI convention. Allegations have been made that he has contravened the Immigration Act and has on numerous occasions been warned by the same authority. Michelson has denied ever being approached by any Immigration, Police or other official with respect to any immigration infringement or having been issued with any warning in that regard. He has further not been served with the order which is however being challenged in court by his legal team at present. It would seem that the order does not in any way prevent the company from operating and the other directors of the company we are informed have the operational aspects in full control and hunting will continue for the forthcoming season in compliance with court rulings.

This matter seems strange indeed, getting accused (in the press) of trying to overthrow the ruling party, nothing happens, allegedly violating the immigration act, deportation?

The sad thing in this case is that the local community ultimately loses out in so many respects - income, jobs and food.

We have contacted ZAWA for comment on this but have received no answer.

"We feel that we were not fully informed as to the problems that ZAWA feel they have with Leopard Ridge and we advise that we as the CRB operating in our area with this company are happy with their conduct and performance and more especially their assistance to our community - they have developed roads, provided hammer mills, assisted with anti poaching, provided many jobs for our people, have built a clinic and have many other community projects in progress." - Banda Blackwell - Nabwalya Community Recourses Board

It is obvious that they are reaching for straws.

"LRS ... alleged to have fed hyena meat to staff as alleged by the Minster of Tourism... "

Give me a break. How ridiculous can this get?

" ...Michelson ... was accused of ... hatching a plot of planning to over throw the ruling party by buying up and destroying the countries maize reserves."

Oh, I see. Now that makes a lot of sense.

If you can't find something bad, just make something up.

Jealousy at it's worst. I feel sorry for these guys. I hope they come through this ok.

When I shot my lion in Zim it sat near the skinning shed for three days getting covered with flies until the boys decided to take it home and eat it. It was their choice and they werent hungry like they are today.

If I were cynical I might suggest that the bribes were not sufficient in this case to avoid repercussions of the kind reported.

sure sounds like not enough money changed hands under the table. when i shot my lion it was next to a park & the park people came up to camp & took the lion so they had something to eat themselves. sad thing is this seems to the the ways of governments worldwide.

Short update ... Cheers, Peter

Africa : Zambia: Leopard Ridge director going home - 2007/2/28

We have been advised that Leopard ridge director Ross Michelson has been granted judicial review by a high court judge in Lusaka this morning, with leave to appeal and a stay of execution on his deportation order.

Michelson will be returning to Zambia within the next day or two for the trail, which is due to be heard on the 23rd March.