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Farewell to Tusker
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
January 06, 2008

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce that Tusker/Dustbin was shot at around 11:30 this morning.

We received well over 4000 signatures from people all over the world in a desperate plea for his life to be spared. The shooting was scheduled for Monday, the 7th January so it came as a great shock to hear that he was shot today.

Tusker's life has been on the line for some time now but the New Year's party that was held at Charara this year was the straw that broke the camel's back. We have had reports of drugs and alcohol being abused at the party by some of the youngsters who attended. It has been confirmed that they were pulling hairs out of Tusker's tail and slapping him on the rump and running away laughing. They were driving around the camp at high speeds, flashing headlights in Tusker's eyes and hooting at him and we have also had reports of fireworks and beer bottles being thrown at him. Despite all this senseless abuse, we have had no reports of Tusker hurting anyone which is testament to his basic good nature.

His crime, which lead to his death penalty is that he damaged some cars in his search for food. It is not clear how many cars were damaged. We have had reports that the number was between 2 and 7.

The authorities will probably argue that they have a responsibility to protect the humans and that it would only have been a matter of time before somebody was killed by Tusker. Our argument is that a party of this magnitude, which is attended every year by thousands of youngsters should not be held in a National Park. This is why it is called a "game reserve" and not a "people reserve". There is a sign near the entrance of Charara camp that states "No loud music after 9pm" and "no fireworks". The proprietors of Charara camp hire the biggest music system in Zimbabwe and the music is so loud, it can be heard from 2 km away. Where were the organizers of the party when the youngsters started throwing fireworks at Tusker? How do people bring their children up so that they behave in such a despicable manner?

We would like thank all you wonderful people, from the bottom of our hearts for trying to help us to save Tusker. We had no idea he was loved so much by so many people all over the world. Zimbabwe, and indeed the world has suffered a great loss today.

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