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Gold panners destroying the dry river beds
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
October 15, 2006

We are extremely distressed to report that our river systems are under constant attack by gold panners.

We recently visited the Umfurudzi Wilderness to investigate reports of gold panners destroying the dry river beds. In their search for gold , literally hundreds of gold panners are digging enormous holes in the river beds, about 15 feet deep and when they have finished, they leave the holes exposed instead of refilling them with sand. This is preventing the water from flowing and because of the mass of humanity involved in this practice, the animals are afraid to come down to the water to drink.

The gold panners are very wary of cameras but when we explained that we were making a movie, they were quite excited at the prospect of being on film and didn't offer any resistance. The following photos were taken on the Umfurudzi River but these scenes are typical of any river system where gold can be found in Zimbabwe.

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