Telegraph

Tourists flee park elephants slaughter
(Filed: 23/03/2005)

'Famine relief' may conceal poaching ring backed by the Mugabe regime,
reports Christopher Munnion

Horrified tourists have fled from Zimbabwe's largest game reserve after
witnessing the "wholesale slaughter" of animals, part of what conservation
groups fear is an officially sanctioned poaching ring.

Operation Nyama, or "Operation Meat", is ostensibly a campaign to feed
starving villagers in northern Matabeleland.

But independent observers say it is a cover for corruption and ivory
smuggling approved by President Robert Mugabe's regime.

"If the aim was to feed the people, it is strange that most of the elephant
bulls that are being shot have 60lb to 70lb tusks and are in their prime,"
said Johnny Rodrigues, the chairman of the Zimbabwean Conservation Task
Force.

"Older bulls with broken tusks are not being targeted."

Operation Nyama, carried out in Hwange national park, was supposed to end in
December, he said.

"But three weeks ago we received a report from a group of disgusted American
tourists. They saw a national parks truck which had broken down inside
Hwange and was fully loaded with dead impala and buffalo.

"An attempt had been made to conceal the dead animals with branches and
leaves but the Americans could easily see what was in the truck."

Two Australian tourists also cut short their visit to Hwange park after
hearing automatic gunfire day and night.

The couple also passed an official truck loaded with the carcasses of dead
wild animals.

"They were terrified and said it was like being in a war zone," said a
conservationist who met the couple as they fled to South Africa.

"They said that, if they had wanted to see dead animals, they could have
visited their local abattoir.

"It has now reached the point where the wildlife is probably safer outside
the national park areas because the people who have been entrusted with
safeguarding this precious commodity are the very people who are destroying
it," Mr Rodrigues said.

The reports of the bloodbath in Hwange coincided with news of an illegal
shipment of African elephant body parts recently seized by Dutch customs
officials at Amsterdam airport.

The cargo included 22 feet, eight tusks, eight ears, three tails, a skull
and an entire hide.

The shipment, which did not have the proper licences, originated in Zimbabwe
and was bound for Germany.

A former senior wildlife officer forced to flee Zimbabwe when he threatened
to expose poaching rings organised by park wardens said he was not surprised
by the reports from Hwange. "It follows a pattern that has been established
throughout Zimbabwe in national parks, hunting concession areas and private
wildlife reserves," he said.

"All the indications are that the country's game is being plundered and
exploited with the connivance and encouragement of senior officials at a
regional level and probably at a central government level as well.

"Trying to prove it is a different matter as all these officials are senior
members of the ruling Zanu-PF party and all those who know something are too
frightened to talk about it."

According to Mr Rodrigues, a camp manager in Hwange threatened to remove his
diesel engines from the park because there was little point in spending
millions of dollars on fuel to pump water to attract game just so it could
be shot for meat.

One of the wardens at Main Camp had been arrested for stealing 18 diesel
pumps, most of them donated by conservation organisations, and selling them
to the "new farmers" now hunting in areas adjoining the park.

"The Zimbabwean government spends millions of dollars promoting tourism
while the national parks staff seem to be making a good job of destroying
it," Mr Rodrigues said

That's disgusting and why I wouldn't hunt Zim. Where are the PETA freaks when you need them?

Another nail in Zimbabwes coffin...It all down hill form now on...

The report is a little exagerated... 2 buff and 2 impala, and in the other incident six elephant-yes 50lbs total! 25 a side!!

Rations have always been shot by parks staff (1228 staff and othorised dependants in Hwange - eat alot of meat especially when you cannot get corn meal)

Training on dangerous game has always been carried out by parks staff- Rangers from smaller stations are sent to Hwange to get dangerous game experience.

Standing orders say you are to keep killed animals out of sight of ecotourists

Just the staff are too lazy and too short of fuel to go into the remote areas of the park like we used to. Too lazy to wash the bood out before loading or cover the "evidence" properly.

Gayana,
Your response reminds me of Sept '02 when I was in RSA. I was sharing accomodation with a PH from Zim and his American client. I aske him about conditions in Zim I had heard about (shortages, etc.). He said "No, everythings great there". A few minutes later as he was leaving he turned to my PH and said "If you're coming up next week please bring me 50# of flour. We can't get any".

quote:

said Johnny Rodrigues, the chairman of the Zimbabwean Conservation Task
Force.

I don't know the whole story, but I do know that Rodriques is not an unbiased reporter. He has an agenda and can be a bit of a "Chicken Little".

Regards,

Terry