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Snare removals and rescues
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
October 20, 2008

Our consignment of 12 vials of the tranquilizer, M99 has arrived at last after some delays due to problems with the paper work and is safely in the care of the Wildlife Veterinary Unit.

It is already being put to good use and for the benefit of the donors, we will be sending out reports and photos of snare removals as and when they are carried out.

Roger Parry of Victoria Falls removed a snare recently from a kudu, and attempted to remove one from a buffalo in the Victoria Falls area. The kudu had a wire snare around her head which had embedded deeply into her throat. The snare was removed and she is now back with her herd, improving daily.

Roger and his team then tried to help a buffalo cow who had a very bad snare on her rear leg but she was extremely aggressive and tried to charge them several times while they were trying to dart her. In addition to the snare, hyenas had ripped off her udder and it had become badly infected. Eventually, they had no option but to euthanase her

Roger has now gone to Kariba in response to a report of 2 baby elephants being seen with snares around their legs. One of the babies also has no trunk. We have just heard that he has removed one snare from a young elephant but he has not yet managed to locate the 2 that were reported to us.

The M99 has also been put to use by Sarah Carter at Bally Vaughan Sanctuary. Sarah and her team have been rescuing plains game from their game park area after it was claimed for resettlement.

We would like to thank Steve Kok and Geoff Blythe of Kariba who have been doing a fantastic job with snare removals and anti poaching patrols. Their only motive is to try and preserve the wildlife in Kariba and they don't receive any sort of funding or remuneration for the amazing work they do. They spend their own personal money on fuel and rations for the anti poaching units and if anyone could try and help to make their task a bit easier by contributing funds, fuel or mealie meal, please either contact us: Steve - +263 061 3127 or +263 061 2225 or Geoff +263 912 235994.

Visit the ZCTF fact sheet

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