Don't know if this has been talked about on the forum yet, since I've been in Zim for the past three weeks. But while I was there, all the talk was of the government's plan to keep from having to cull up to 100,000 elephants by giving one elephant to each "new farmer" (squatter) to take care of on his 252 acres of land.

Folks in camp were dying of laughter at the thought of these guys, most of whom never having seen an elephant, trying to contain and maintain one on 250 acres of land. Everybody was hoping that the plan would acutually be put into action, since this would definitely reduce the number of squatters currently occupying the farms.

The alarming thing, however, was the number of elephants slated for culling. This would reduce the country's current heard by about 80 percent to make way for "new farmers." This is a government completely out of control!

quote:

Originally posted by GAHUNTER:
Everybody was hoping that the plan would acutually be put into action, since this would definitely reduce the number of squatters currently occupying the farms.

My thoughts exactly. Might definitely solve the squatter problem.

I wouldn't be too concerened as I don't think that Parks has the know how to catch and move 10 elephants much less 80,000.

465H&H

Sounds like a good idea. If the Zim goverment thinks you can treat a elephant like a pet, let them try. Their coffee might be cold by the time they wake up.

The African elephant could be used on farms or in industry much as the Indian elephant has been. The idea that the African elephant is untrainable is false and even today, at least one company is offering elephant-back safari's in the Okovango (sp?) area I believe.

Of course such a venture would have to start small and would take years to build up to any numbers or to have worth while economic impact..I could also suggest that such a venture would have more chance of success in Alaska than in Zim!

Regards,

Pete

Oh, I almost forgot. Once the "New Farmer" has his elephant, he can then sell it to a safari hunter for whatever price he can get for it.

Don't know about you guys, but I've already got my checkbook out!

want to see my new elephant........got him tied up out back next to my dog.

I just don't think that plan is workable. Let's give em each a black mamba.

Rich Elliott