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ZCTF Report January 2011
Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force (ZCTF)
January 29, 2011

Poachers kill 7 rhinos

In the past two weeks, 7 rhinos have been killed by poachers. Last year, 22 rhinos were killed and this year has not started well with 7 dead already.

Five rhinos were killed in the Matopas National Park just outside Bulawayo and 2 in Ruware Ranch near Chiredzi. Both areas are intensive rhino protection zones and the poachers are using rifles with silencers or poison to kill the rhinos.

The Director General of National Parks, Vitalis Chadenga stated that there is evidence that the poachers are well resourced and from syndicates outside the country and are working in cahoots with unruly local elements. Investigations have revealed that communities living adjacent to conservancies are harbouring poachers and in some cases, former members of the police and army have been found poaching or assisting poachers.

Lions starving

44 lions are on the verge of starvation on a farm near Masvingo. The owner of the farm, Ronnie Sparrow was forcibly evicted by former ZANU PF Provincial Chairman, retired army major, Alex Mudavanhu. It has been alleged by a farm worker that one of the lionesses ate her cubs to stave off her hunger. National Parks are doing their best to feed the lions with meat from Carswell and Montana abattoirs but are facing constant challenges transporting the meat to the site.

The conservation veterinary trust, AWARE together with VAWZ immobilized the 44 lions and treated them for ticks, fleas and worms. They also gave them vitamin injections and treated several nasty injuries. There is a critical shortage of drinking water for the lions and AWARE is appealing to the public for assistance in piping water from Lake Kyle which is 900 metres away.

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