Rhino and calf recovering from AK47 attack

February 2012: A black rhino and her young calf have made a remarkable recovery after being hit by a burst of automatic gunfire in Zimbabwe. 

A burst of automatic gunfire was heard in the Save Valley Conservancy's Lowveld one recent late afternoon. The International Rhino Foundation's anti-poaching patrols were rapidly deployed to the area and began tracking a black rhino cow and calf that had fled the site of the shooting.

Left a trail of bloodThe cow appeared to be dragging her hind legs and was leaving a trail of blood, indicating that she had been badly wounded. From the location and the shape of their tracks, the injured animals were identified as ‘Double' and her 16-month-old calf ‘Trouble'.

Double's horn had been fitted with a radio-transmitter, so trackers were able to quickly locate the pair the next day using radio-telemetry equipment. Both rhinos had sustained gunshot wounds and required urgent medical attention.

Recovery was closely monitoredA vet immobilised the rhinos, finding seven AK-47 bullet holes in Double and a further one in Trouble's front knee. Fortunately, all the bullets had missed vital organs. Antibiotics and vitamins were given to both rhinos to help fight infection and aid recovery. Since Double and Trouble could walk well enough to find food and water, and since the mother could be tracked electronically, the team decided to leave the pair in the field and closely monitor their recovery.

The first tracking effort found Double moving well and feeding, but alone and fears for Trouble escalated. But after three weeks, Trouble turned up walking well but thinner for the stress of being separated from his mother and his unintended early weaning - black rhino calves suckle milk until they are 20 months old.

Trouble remains in the general area of his mother and hopes are high that the two will find each other again, as black rhino cows and their weaned calves often do. Both have made remarkable recoveries and have not needed further treatment. 

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/rhino-gunfire.html

Anthrax outbreak at Mana Pools

Wildlife dieing in Mana Pools

January 2012. 88 hippos, 45 buffaloes, 30 elephants and 2 kudu have been found dead in Mana Pools National Park. Tests confirm that the hippos died of anthrax but the cause of death of the other animals has not yet been confirmed. The carcasses of the dead animals are being burnt to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Anthrax
Anthrax commonly infects wild and domesticated herbivorous mammals that ingest or inhale the spores while grazing. Ingestion is thought to be the most common route by which herbivores contract anthrax. Carnivores living in the same environment may become infected by consuming infected animals. Diseased animals can spread anthrax to humans, either by direct contact (e.g., inoculation of infected blood to broken skin) or by consumption of a diseased animal's flesh. 

Courtesy of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force 

Coal mining threatening Hwange National Park

February. A fly over Hwange National Park has revealed that there are 3 coal mining developments in and around the park; 2 adjoining the park and one actually inside the park.



The associated building of roads and increased human activity is bound to lead to an increase in poaching as the area is opened up, access becomes easier and there are more people in the area to carry out the poaching and to buy the poached meat.



Of even greater concern is the total devastation of large tracts of land in what was previously a wilderness area. It may not be possible to restore the wildlife once the habitat has been destroyed.



According to the Zimbabwe Park and Wildlife Act, nobody may mine within a national park unless they have a written agreement from the Minister of Environment and Tourism, and to date it has not been established whether any of the 3 mines has such an agreement.



In addition to this, before any development takes place, an Environmental Impact Assessment is required. The Provincial Environmental Manager for Matabeleland North and Bulawayo Provinces was not aware of the mining activities taking place, nor was she able to find any record of Environmental Impact Assessments being done.



The Park hosts 105 mammal species, including 19 large herbivores and eight large carnivores. All Zimbabwe's specially protected animals are to be found in Hwange and it is the only protected area where gemsbok and brown hyena occur in reasonable numbers. The population of African wild dogs to be found in Hwange is thought to be of one of the largest surviving groups in Africa today.

Courtesy of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/hwange-mining.html

Zimbabwe wildlife news – not good

The latest new from Zimbabwe - And it is all badOctober 2011. Courtesy of Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force

Elephants still under threat at Chiredzi River Conservancy
According to the latest reports from Zimbabwe, The situation in Chiredzi River Conservancy is worsening.

Overrun by ‘invaders'. The Chiredzi River Conservancy, part of the Trans Frontier Conservation Area, is an internationally renowned wildlife conservancy in the Sout Eastern Lowveld of Zimbabwe. It is being overrun by destructive invaders and its elephant and wildlife population is in severe danger of being wiped out. Reports indicate that the destruction of its fragile ecosystem has reached such serious proportions that its very survival is under threat. Appeals for the government to intervene before the destruction of the environment in the conservancy, and in all areas of Zimbabwe, becomes irreversible are falling on deaf ears.

The conservancy is situated in an area classified as arid and unsuitable for agriculture. Despite this, invaders have destroyed large areas by burning tress and vegetation in their efforts to grow crops and graze their cattle. Although there is funding available to help them move to areas more suitable for farming, the government turns a blind eye to the problem. Game scouts are employed to patrol the area but their jobs are extremely dangerous and they live under constant threat from poachers, politicians and invaders. They are continually assaulted and abused.

In an effort to protect the elephants, the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Francis Nhema was approached and asked if the elephants could be moved to a safer area but he was adamant that they stay in the conservancy. Whilst he acknowledged that the invaders were there illegally, he has made no attempt to have them removed.

South Africans hunt buffalo in Kariba
ZCTF have received reports recently of South African hunters allegedly being given permission by National Parks to shoot buffalo in the Kariba area - apparently for rations. It is thought that 2 have already been shot and a third is being hunted.

The reports say that a buffalo was shot and taken to the weigh bay in the National Anglers' Union (NAU) Charara fishing camp where it was skinned. It was then hung in the cold room in the camp - all this apparently with the permission of the Acting Manager of the NAU.

The part that doesn't make sense is that normally, when animals are shot for rations, they are taken to Nyanana and not to the NAU fishing camp. ZCTF were always under the impression that NAU Charara site was a fishing camp - not a hunting camp. If any tourists were present at the time, they would probably have been quite distressed to see a buffalo being skinned in the weigh bay. The other disturbing factor is that there are only about 32 buffalo left out of an original herd of 650.

Read on...

Zimbabwe Expert: The Truth About Killing 'Problem' Elephants

Apr 1, 2011 – 2:13 PM

Zimbabwe's premier conservationist, a 62-year-old man who says he's endured assassination attempts for trying to preserve wildlife in one of Africa's poorest and most repressive countries, can't watch the video showing Bob Parsons, the billionaire CEO of GoDaddy.com, shooting and killing an elephant.

"I've seen so many of the atrocities against elephants and other wildlife here that it sickens me to the bottom of my soul," Johnny Rodrigues, chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, told AOL News today on the telephone from Harare.

"But I have read what Parsons said, and he is totally misinformed about what is going on here. I wish he knew the truth."

Parsons, whose video sparked outrage when it circulated Thursday, is shown shooting a bull elephant on a recent hunting trip in Zimbabwe and then posing triumphantly next to the carcass. He called the animal a "problem elephant" that was in a herd attacking local crops and houses.

Some villagers, sporting GoDaddy caps, are also shown in the video carving up the dead elephant and eating the meat, as AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" plays on the soundtrack.

Parsons brushed off criticism in interviews and said that only a few animal rights groups like PETA were upset.

The villagers "are on the brink of starvation," he told CBS News. "They need their crops and need to eat. Elephants are not endangered and probably there are too many of them. A lot of people are up in arms about this. Their hearts are in the right place, but they don't understand the situation. If they'd go on one of my trips to Zimbabwe, they'd understand."

But Rodrigues, who grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe, said hunters like Parsons don't understand the level of government corruption in the country, how it's led to the collapse of the economy and how it's affected the wildlife.

AOL News spoke with Rodrigues about the plight of elephants in a country that was once a top destination for tourists who could enjoy wildlife protected by strong environmental policies -- but has deteriorated under an increasingly lawless regime.

AOL News: Bob Parsons said killing the elephant was justified because there are too many of them in Zimbabwe and they're attacking farmers and their crops who have no way of getting rid of them. True?

Johnny Rodrigues: No. For one thing, the government deliberately inflates the number of elephants so they can allot a certain number to be killed. Last year they said 500 elephants could be killed. They say there are 100,000 elephants. From what I have found, the figure is more like between 30,000 and 35,000. They lie about the number so they can allow hunters to kill them. They use the income generated to pay the wages to the park staffers and to keep the parks running because they have no money. The villagers don't see a penny. [Park authorities] just sell them the meat.

Illegal poaching occurs all over Africa. How is the situation different in Zimbabwe?

The problem in Zimbabwe is the guardians of the wildlife are the perpetrators. We're the only country in Africa that shoots game to pay wages to national park guardians and ration meat to their staff. It's sick. You wouldn't tolerate it. Zimbabwe is the only country where some of the park guardians are politically connected and don't care about the animals. They're the ones benefiting economically from their killing, even though they are the ones who are supposed to protect them.

Are elephants actually killed in the national parks?

They are not supposed to be, but they are. The government uses claims that elephants are destroying crops and attacking villagers to allow them to be hunted in national parks and safari areas.

Why are the elephants coming into villages and threatening the farmers?

Elephants are the most traumatized animals in Zimbabwe. They are being shot even in supposedly safe areas. Elephants travel in family units, and when one of their loved ones are shot and killed, the rest of the family remembers and they are traumatized and they will attack. They are very intelligent animals with phenomenal memories. When they see humans now, they remember.

What do they remember?

They remember it is humans who have caused all their stress, who have taken away their family members. They either attack or run away when they see a vehicle. It's very sad because we could co-exist. But humans, especially in Africa, are encroaching on land reserved for the animals, and the animals are running out of land.

What would you say to Bob Parsons if you could speak to him?

I would tell him he is supporting a terrible system that is not helping the poor people on the ground. Coming here with all his wealth for these unethical hunts and killing elephants is not helping anyone. It's perpetuating a horrible cycle in this country of traumatized animals and desperate people. And by telling them to eat meat the way he did and giving them his caps is like treating them like slaves.

What would you tell him about the bull elephant he killed, based on what you know about them?

Elephants are all part of families. The bull elephant Parsons killed has a family. It's the same as a robber coming into Parsons' house and shooting him in front of one of his kids. Parsons should look at some of the incredible research on elephants and elephant family behavior. He'd be shocked. Elephants are among the smartest, most sensitive animals alive.

How many elephants were there, say 100 years ago in Zimbabwe. Do you even know?

There were at least 700,000 to 800,000, but there's no comparison to today. They roamed all over. Man has totally encroached on their territory.

Can you report illegal poaching crimes to officials in Zimbabwe?

You will see some illegal poaching in Zambia, say, but it is a country with law and order. The authorities will do something about it. Here when you bring in a dossier of documents about illegal poaching to the attorney general, nothing happens. Even if you get to see a police investigator once, you'll never see them again. They disappear. It's what happens when there is no democracy and a breakdown of law and order.

People get killed in Zimbabwe for speaking out. Why do you take the risk?

It's very dangerous, but I've been exposing what's going on in this country for 12 years. I have death threats and attempts on my life. Strange things happen here to people like me.

What kind of strange things?

People coming around, beatings, being locked up, disappearing for a few months. But somebody has to speak out. I fought for this country in the war, so I feel I have a right to be a voice for the voiceless. I am trying to preserve our wonderful wildlife in this beautiful country. That's more important than anything that happens to me.

Have international wildlife groups reached out to Zimbabwe?

Unfortunately not really. The political situation is so difficult that it keeps people away.

What about those who believe that man comes first and while it's unfortunate that animals suffer, we are more important and this is a bit of a non-issue?

Preserving our wildlife and our flora and fauna is not only part of our heritage in Zimbabwe -- it was also the biggest foreign currency earner. The government is destroying a self-sustaining industry that all the people here benefit from. The communities that live around the wildlife areas benefit from selling their wares. No tourists want to come here and see all this bloodletting and miserable animals. 

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/01/zimbabwe-conservationist-responds-to-godaddy-ceos-elephant-hunt/

Pictures of dead 'mermaid' in Zimbabwe?

http://nehandaradio.com/2010/11/26/pictures-of-dead-%E2%80%98mermaid%E2%80%99-in-zimbabwe/

Pictures of dead 'mermaid' in Zimbabwe?

http://nehandaradio.com/2010/11/26/pictures-of-dead-%E2%80%98mermaid%E2%80%99-in-zimbabwe/

Lions Maul Man To Death In Safari Shower

Peter Evershed was dragged from the bathroom by five lions at a bush camp on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia.The 59-year-old businessman had been on a fishing trip at the Chitake Camping site in northern Zimbabwe with his wife Jane.


According to Mashonaland West provincial police spokesman Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara, Mr Evershed was taking a shower under a tree near the campsite when he was surrounded by the pride.

"He screamed for help from other tourists who quickly drove to the scene flashing their lights in a bid to scare away the marauding lions," he said.

But the attack continued until safari operator Steven Pop fired shots in the air to scare off the lions.

However, by that time Mr Evershed had suffered a fatal throat wound, according to Zimbabwe's Herald Online.

Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force head Johnny Rodrigues said that a surge in poaching and illegal hunting has helped made the wild animals more aggressive.

Last month an elephant killed a visitor in a nearby area, and soon after a conservation activist died in a charge by a wounded buffalo.

Safaris have become an important revenue source for Zimbabwe, which has suffered from hyper-inflation in recent years.

Lions Maul Man To Death In Safari Shower

Peter Evershed was dragged from the bathroom by five lions at a bush camp on Zimbabwe's border with Zambia.The 59-year-old businessman had been on a fishing trip at the Chitake Camping site in northern Zimbabwe with his wife Jane.


According to Mashonaland West provincial police spokesman Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara, Mr Evershed was taking a shower under a tree near the campsite when he was surrounded by the pride.

"He screamed for help from other tourists who quickly drove to the scene flashing their lights in a bid to scare away the marauding lions," he said.

But the attack continued until safari operator Steven Pop fired shots in the air to scare off the lions.

However, by that time Mr Evershed had suffered a fatal throat wound, according to Zimbabwe's Herald Online.

Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force head Johnny Rodrigues said that a surge in poaching and illegal hunting has helped made the wild animals more aggressive.

Last month an elephant killed a visitor in a nearby area, and soon after a conservation activist died in a charge by a wounded buffalo.

Safaris have become an important revenue source for Zimbabwe, which has suffered from hyper-inflation in recent years.

Zimbabwean hunter suffocates in rabbit hole

Energy Kamuruko was out tracking with dogs when he noticed a rabbit dart into a tunnel near the village of Mandipaka.


The 20-year-old peered inside but his head got stuck. His body was found the following day by a neighbour.

A postmortem confirmed he died on Sunday of asphyxiation.

It is the second hunting-related accidental death in the African country in recent months.

In August, Tamsen Lucius, 36, impaled himself on his own spear while chasing wild boar.

Officials said he had climbed a tree to try and get a better angle with his weapon after tracking a herd of the animals in the bush.

But he died instantly after losing his footing and impaling himself through the chest.

Hunting remains common across rural parts of Zimbabwe, where many people continue to live traditional lifestyles.

Zimbabwean hunter suffocates in rabbit hole

Energy Kamuruko was out tracking with dogs when he noticed a rabbit dart into a tunnel near the village of Mandipaka.


The 20-year-old peered inside but his head got stuck. His body was found the following day by a neighbour.

A postmortem confirmed he died on Sunday of asphyxiation.

It is the second hunting-related accidental death in the African country in recent months.

In August, Tamsen Lucius, 36, impaled himself on his own spear while chasing wild boar.

Officials said he had climbed a tree to try and get a better angle with his weapon after tracking a herd of the animals in the bush.

But he died instantly after losing his footing and impaling himself through the chest.

Hunting remains common across rural parts of Zimbabwe, where many people continue to live traditional lifestyles.