I returned from the SCI convention in Reno last night and understand EXACTLY why this organization is crucial for the global hunter. The way that SCI facilitated introductions to the right people was amazing and the fantastic experience of getting to meet face to face with key decision makers was very beneficial.
Ms. Linda Venter
SCI – South Africa
Although my problems are not in SA I had reached out to Linda for general advice and council. And she made a personal introduction to George Pangeti, a special contractor to SCI for all African affairs. Linda also connected me directly with Bill McGrath at the SCI – DC office to address an ethics complaint. Linda zeroed me in with exactly the right people.
Mr. George Pangeti,
Chairman of Zimbabwe National Parks
George and I had been corresponding via e-mail. He understood the basis of my complaints and quickly offered to make a personal introduction to the individual at Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife who can help. George was true to his word. We met in person on Friday after he addressed the conservation committee. George walked me right over to the Director of Commercial Services for Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife and made the introduction as promised.
Ms. Tarirai Musonza
Director – Commercial Services
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife
The DC office staff was very gracious in offering meeting space in their convention offices for Ms. Musonza and I to have a private conversation. I produced copies of all the materials related to my complaints and she was very understanding of the situation. She also let me know that an investigator from Zim Parks was already looking into the matter initiated by my earlier e-mail correspondence with Mr. Tawanda Chipere. The first matter at hand is to confirm that the game was taken legally. Since a licensed PH was not in camp this is an immediate hurdle that will require further investigation. I am also not certain that Col. Watson Tshipa is in good standing with Zim Parks and Wildlife – they are the authority who issues the PH licensing designation. Given that the PH has gone missing she suggests that if I can prove that I paid my US Based Outfitter, and that he in turn can produce evidence that he paid the Zim based PH, she may be able to make an exception and authorize the export permits. So Ms. Musonza and I walk over and talk with Arnold Payne at Impala African Safaris since he is exhibiting at the convention. Arnold assures her that he will cooperate fully and that he can produce the necessary paperwork if required. Afterwards Ms. Musonza assures me that she will do everything in her power to work out something and that she recognizes that SCI is watching this. But initially everything will hinge on the legality of the hunt, then on our ability to reproduce the financial paper trail. She commits to provide me with regular e-mail updates.
Mr. Cyril Meredith
Managing Director
Taxidermy Enterprises
Taxidermy Enterprises is an exhibitor at the convention and was actually the first contact that I made on my arrival. I figured that we both have the same objective: to get my trophies out of their shop. As I share the details with Cyril he begins to draw the connections and suggests that we take a walk over to visit with Arnold Payne at Impala African Safaris. A very firm conversation ensued. As Cyril and I are walking back he is very upset and candidly shares with me that I am not the only hunter who has had difficulty with Mr. Payne and that Taxidermy Enterprises has little patience for these poor business practices. His encouragement to me is to continue pursing this matter with the highest authorities and fullest force possible.
Roy Ludick
Zimbabwe Professional Hunters & Guides Association
I had stopped by and left a copy of my materials with Roy early upon my arrival. He is very busy with prior commitments but suggests that we set a time to meet early the last day. By the time of our meeting Roy has read all of my documents and is very agitated by the situation. This is NOT how things are supposed to work when someone hunts in Zim and he is appalled with what has occured. But he also shares that it is not uncommon and that you must use the utmost caution to ensure that you book with a reputable PH in Zim. Mr. Watson Tshipa is NOT a member of their association so there is little direct influence that he can provide. But he knows others at Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife and also and investigator with the Reserve Bank that will have interest in my situation. Roy assures me that he will do everything in his power make introductions to facilitate. He encourages me to continue to pursue this matter as aggressively as possible.
Jerome Philippe
Founder of AfricaHunting.com
Jerome sought me out at the convention and was exceptionally generous with his time to discuss my story in greater detail. He really helped me connect the dots and see through the fog of dealing with problems like this on an international basis. I cannot express enough my gratitude for the thoughtful and insightful advice that Jerome shared with me.
Next Steps:
Continue work with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife to complete their investigation confirming the legality of my hunt.
Begin to build the financial paper trail to Zimbabwe.
Move forward on an SCI Ethics Complaint with full force.
If any of you have similar problems and would like contact information for these authorities please reach out to me directly.
Regards,
Eric
