SA hunters on 'wildlife killing spree' in Zimbabwe

Date: 20 August 2004

Source: Cape Times (SA) The Herald (Harare)

Author: Melanie Gosling

Conflicting reports are emerging from Zimbabwe about poaching and illegal trophy hunting. The Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force has heard of illegal hunting in the Matetsi area near Victoria Falls, its chairman, Johnny Rodrigues, says. "Our informant met ... some South African hunters. He was told they were engaged in a massive hunting expedition on a game ranch or conservancy now being taken over by settlers. He saw a large number of vehicles with South African number plates ... He says these people are ... on a killing spree. Among the carcasses he saw were lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, kudu, sable, impala and even baboon ... He was invited to the abattoirs, which were full of game meat. Our informant was told one of the settlers was paid US$50 000 by the hunters." Most of the government officials to whom he used to report such incidents had quit because of pressure, Rodrigues said. A professional hunter said there was hardly any game left on the commercial ranches. "One property near Bulawayo used to get a quota of one bull elephant every two years for trophy hunting. This year five bulls have been shot. It is illegal to shoot animals with radio collars as they are part of research. In Hwange National Park, four of the five collared lions have been shot. In many places there is uncontrolled slaughter, where people are even shooting babies." Sally Bown, of Zimbabwe's Professional Hunters and Guides Association, said there had been poaching on private land, but there was "plenty of game" on state land. Morris Mtsambiwa, director-general of Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, said illegal hunting was not widespread. "On farms it was a problem up to a year ago, but new farmers are seeking quotas. We appreciate information on illegal hunting and will investigate it."