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ZCTF Report - February 2012
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
February 19, 2012

Elephants shot at Chiredzi river conservancy

On the night of the 16th February, National Parks staff from Chipinda Pools went to Chiredzi River Conservancy and shot 3 elephants - 2 lactating cows and one young bull. The conservancy has lost 7 elephants in the past 35 days. The 3 elephants were shot within the Chiredzi River Conservancy boundary on the Wasara section.

It is evident that the settlers who have invaded the conservancy are working hand in hand with National Parks because the settlers herd the elephants into an area for shooting by National Parks. The tusks were taken by National Parks and the meat was given to the settlers.

This shooting took place despite a no shooting directive from Harare. All the adult cows in the conservancy either have calves or are heavily pregnant and the slaughter of the cows is resulting in many small elephants being left orphaned.

It appears that National Parks headquarters in Harare are not aware of what their counter-parts are doing in the Lowveld and it is of great concern that the guardians of our wildlife are participating in this criminal activity.

We have written letters regarding the illegal invasion of the conservancy to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Francis Nhema, The Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai and the Director of National Parks, Vitalis Chadenga. The issue will soon be tabled in parliament and we are hoping for a favourable outcome.

Chinese nationals admit to animal cruelty

Four Chinese nationals have pleaded guilty to contravening the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act Chapter 19-09.

The four nationals, Zhang Hong Yuan, Chen Caijan, Lin Guibin and Shi Jiahau resided at Chiwara Homestead located near Gambakwe Village in Bikita. They had procured Bell Hinged Tortoises from the local community for personal consumption.

The Bells Hinged Tortoise is listed under CITES Appendix II and its numbers in the wild have dwindled significantly over recent years.

At the end of last year, 13 live tortoises and the skeletal remains of another 40 were recovered from the residence of the Chinese in a raid carried out by National Parks and the Save Valley Conservancy Anti-Poaching Unit.

The tortoises had been stored in two empty 200-litre steel drums with no provision for food or water. Stagnant water and fecal matter were evident as was overcrowding. Members of the community stated that the tortoises were dropped into boiling water whilst still alive in order to separate the shell from the meat.

Charges of cruelty were laid against the Chinese nationals who were arrested and fined. Further investigations revealed that the accused nationals had been employed without relevant immigration documentation and they have now been detained in a state security prison pending deportation.

Judging by reports received, it is apparent that some Chinese nationals living in Zimbabwe have very little respect for our wildlife and environment and are causing untold damage to our national heritage.

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