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ZNSPCA update August 2006
Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA)
September 04, 2006

This has been a truly challenging year for the Society but our valiant band remain undaunted and continue the brave fight to protect the animals of Zimbabwe.

We have many areas of concern that we are currently investigating such as canned lion hunting and the 'domestication' of elephants, due to the growing popularity in elephant-back rides and safaris.

Some private game parks are offering the 'walk with the lions' experience or being able to hand feed lion cubs. To fuel this activity, lions need to be hand reared but when the lions reach 18 months, current regulations prohibit the use of lions over this age for close encounters. The big question is where do all these adult lions that do not know how to hunt and that have bonded with humans end up?

We are working with National Parks for the introduction of regulations for the identification and monitoring of all wild animals in captivity as well as more comprehensive legislation to ensure that these animals do not end up as victims of canned hunts.

We are also deeply concerned about the impact the current economic meltdown, continuing food shortages and high cost of any available food is going to have on both companion animals and their owners. Many have already surrendered their animals in the cities and towns that have an SPCA centre but there are increasing numbers of stray and abandoned animals and a burgeoning road side trade in young animals which the urban and national Inspectors are struggling to contain.

We wholeheartedly commend them for their untiring efforts and remain committed to ensuring that the Society not only survives but grows. To this end, there are currently 10 trainee Inspectors who should be ready for certification before the end of the year. The Regional Inspectors held an intensive training course for them in August and there are a few real gems in the group who will be joining the national team.

We are very sad to report that one of our Regional Inspectors, Jimmy Zuze, passed away yesterday. Some of you may recall that he was the dog handler who risked his life when all the Tredar guards went on strike in 2002 and abandoned their dogs whilst he remained on duty to care for the animals. He then went out with ZNSPCA and the volunteer vets to find all the dogs which had been abandoned whilst on duty and were left tied to trees and fences for several days, some in the blazing sun. Jimmy was then recruited by the ZNSPCA and was the Regional Inspector for Midlands at the time of his untimely death.

Despite the economic decline and the many logistical challenges, we wholeheartedly commend all the participants of the gruelling Blue Cross 2006. The sponsorship raised from this event will help to ensure that our SPCA centres will stay open and our Inspectors on the road for another year. We thank all the organisers and the support crews who worked so hard to ensure the success of the event and that all the participants came home safely, and of course all the sponsors who still found it in their hearts in these difficult times to support those who have no voice.

As part of the Bird Blue Task Force in Zimbabwe, the ZNSPCA team are now gearing up for an educational tour in preparation for the imminent change in season and the increased risk of an outbreak. It is fortunate that in Africa there are large spaces between urban areas, rural communities and poultry farming activities which does make it somewhat easier for containment, but there is also a huge migratory bird population and many surface lakes and dams, so it is important that the public are well informed about the disease and that they know that we are here to help and if necessary to ensure the humane handling and culling of any infected birds.

All of which is part of our advancement from not only being a reactive team but a pro-active team. Should anyone locally wish to assist, we would be happy to e-mail a list of items the team needs for the Bird Flu Tour.

Below this e-mail I am attaching one of the recent Donkey Reports compiled by the ZNSPCA Inspectorate Co-ordinator, Glynis Vaughan, which you may find interesting and also a little amusing.

Thank you all

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