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Threatened extinction of the endangered wattled crane
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
November 27, 2003

We have another tragedy looming due to the Land Reform Programme and the absence of law and order. Dr CM Nherera, who bears the illustrious titles of "Vice Chancellor of the Chinhoyi University of Technology" and "Chairman of the Zimbabwe United Bus Company", has taken illegal occupation of the Cannonkopje Crane Centre. As Dr Nherera makes it extremely difficult for the cranes to be fed and watered and is threatening to use the crane pens to rear pigs and chickens, the Wattled Crane, an endangered species, is now in serious danger of becoming extinct.

With the onset of the Land Reform Programme, the Wattled Cranes ceased breeding in the Great Dyke as a result of human disturbance of the nesting sites. In 1993, the Hangartner family who were concerned about the reduced numbers of the Wattled Crane, with the consent of the Zimbabwean Government purchased Cannonkopje and established a captive breeding centre for them, investing USD 20 million in the project. This investment is protected by the ratified agreement between the Swiss Confederation and Zimbabwe on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments. The Hangartners had the support and encouragement of the Zvimba Rural District Council, South Ayrshire Natural Resources Sub-Committee and National Parks.

At the Cannonkopje Crane Centre, a team of indigenous conservationists managed to raise 13 Wattled Cranes. The centre also served as an educational venue where visiting school children took great delight in observing the flora, fauna and rockart. America's International Crane Foundation has acclaimed the Cannonkopje Crane Centre as a unique venture in Africa and a vital contribution to saving Zimbabwe's Wattled Cranes. The government designated the Cannonkopje Crane Centre for resettlement despite the fact that they had agreed not to touch conservancies or properties protected under a 'country to country' agreement.

On the 7th March 2003, Dr Nherera attempted to evict the Hangartners without documentary proof of his right to do so. Lands officers at Chinhoyi confirmed that Cannonkopje was recommended for delisting but failed to remove Nherera.

In attempts to have the property officially delisted, the Hangartners, the International Crane Foundation and the Swiss Embassy have all written letters to Vice President Msika, Provincial Governor Chanetsa, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Sibanda, Chief Superintendent of Police Chiwona and Ministers Chombo, Mudenge, Made, Murerwa and Nhema. So far, all attempts have failed. Some may remember how Mugabe took the podium at the Earth Summit in Johannesburg last year and assured the whole world that he takes very good care of all the wildlife in Zimbabwe, right down to the beetles and the ants, or words to that effect.

Dr Nherera influenced various party officials and Dr Chip Ndyanda, Chairwoman of ZANU PF for Zvimba District to threaten the Cannonkopje staff into leaving and the staff housing is now illegally occupied by Nherera's associates.

On the 5th August 2003, Nherera presented an 'offer letter' from the Ministry of Lands for subdivision 2 of Cannonkopje. Arex Chinhoyi has verified that subdivision 2 does not exist nor had they any knowledge of Dr Nherera's land allocation. They said that the 'offer letter' is a fraud and invalid.

On the 8th November 2003, Dr Nherera together with C Shumba, Provincial Administrator of Chinhoyi, S Katonha, Land Officer Chinhoyi, R G Chiwanza, Assistant Inspector of the Mutorashanga Police and Mr Njenje, Police CID Mutorashanga, arrived at the Cannonkopje Crane Centre premises and evicted the owners. SHUMBA warned the police not to help the owners but rather to assist Dr Nherera. The following day, Chiwanza arrested Alex Hangartner and charged him with malicious injury to the Cannonkopje property.

Since their eviction, the Hangartners are no longer able to care for the birds and all scientific observations have ceased. Lack of constant care imperils 20 years of crane conservation work.

Dr Nherera has boasted that he is backed by powerful people such as Minister CHOMBO and the Head of Gateway High School. This school is renowned for upholding strong Christian principals. Dr Nherera's wife teaches at Gateway School and colludes with her husband's illegal activity. The trustees of the school have been informed of the facts but choose to turn a blind eye in spite of their Christian principals.

Nherera claims in an affidavit to be 'poor' and 'landless' but nothing could be further than the truth. He has two well paid jobs and has been offered land at Ushamba Farm and Mzira Farm.

The Hangartners are determined to continue resisting Dr Nherera's corrupt attempts to destroy their captive breeding project for Zimbabwe's endangered Wattle Cranes. They can't sit idly by and watch the destruction of their life work for the sake of a greedy individual who is taking advantage of the breakdown of law and order in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force intends to assist them in any way possible. If this madness doesn't stop soon, the only wildlife left here will be the beetles and the ants, only because it's quite difficult to slaughter them.

Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force

Visit the ZCTF fact sheet

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