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From Martin Pieters:
Been receiving emails about a possible bogus hunt in Hwange National park, please be advised as to date there are NO ration/management/control hunts in the Zimbabwe national parks, please be warned:
Hunts are being offered by: Allison Smith, alsafari@yoafrica.com
PH in question: Lorrie Van Aasvagen
Area: Sinamatella camp, Hwange
Regards
Martin Pieters
Chairman ZPHGA
martin@bulembisafaris.co.zw
Martin Pieters Safaris
Thanks Mike,
I just wish the guy would realize that there is no PAC hunts for elephant to sell leggally and that untill the management quota as been set no management quota either. So the safest and cheapest to book an elephant hunt now would be a tuskless cow! Or wait for end of year specials on quota or the management quota.
Thank for posting the info Mike!
All I can say is that I feel sorry for the poor guy’s in Zim who live there and are going to have to pick up the pieces afterwards?:worried:
Best Regards
Louis van Bergen
Thanks for the update Mike...keep up the great work!
Louis and Frederik, are these types of hunts relatively new or has this kind of thing been going on for a while? Just seems like alot of QUESTIONABLE hunts are being offered these days. I have only been in contact with about 6-7 PH's in the last 10 yrs getting ready for my first hunt to Africa, and this is really all new to me. I have heard that you need to check references, because there are crooks but these Pac hunts seem to be more revealed lately. Scott.
If you are planning to hunt Zimbabwe there are a couple of ways to check.
Asking on this forum will give you a good idea if the operator is legitimate. I feel clients are better informed and more information is shared now than ever before. Remember not every operator will please every client, however the bad or illegal operators are easily revealed.
Another way is to to contact Sally at SOAZ soaz@mweb.co.zw to see if the operator and PH are licensed to operate in Zimbabwe. If the are not licensed to hunt in Zim the hunt will be illegal.
As of today there are no hunts that can be legally offered in Zim national parks.
Below is the most current available list of licensed PH's in Zimbabwe. I will repost as it is updated.
No. NAME YOI
1 W.G.R. (Bill) Bedford 1992
2 Adrian Swales 1992
3 David Mpungu 1992
4 Derek Adams 1994
5 Dean Adams 1996
6 Steve A. Alexander 1987
7 Donald D. Heath 2000
8 Tamalge G. Alexander 1987
9 Angelo Angelous 1991
10 Andrew Hunter 1987
11 Sylvan T. Wachenuka 1992
12 Steven. Attwell 1983
13 Toreq C. Balance 1986
14 Garr R. Baldwin 1981
15 Scott Bailey 2000
16 Andrew J.B. Atkinson 1989
17 Sebastian Audin 1991
18 Harrie Bennie DECEASED
19 Paul Bennie 1988
20 K. R. Batholomew 1996
21 Peter Barnard 1997
22 A. Baxendale 1998
23 Wilfred Baleni 1996
24 P.N Baker 1990
25 Brian Bird 1989
26 Jane Bettenay 1989
27 Johan A. Bezuidenhout 2000
28 Pieter H. Bezuidenhout 1996
29 John D. Bennett 1999
30 Clive S. Bradford 1993
31 David M. Bramford 1990
32 Steven G. Brewer 2001
33 Richard B. Brebner 1998
34 Carl B. Bradford DECEASED
35 David H. Brain 1993
36 Colin Bristow 1990
37 Russ w.r. Broom 1998
38 Michael A. Bunce 1999
39 Henrick Bruder 1980
40 Mich Bunce Snr 1987
41 Gregory Butler 1986
42 Mark Butcher 1987
43 Christopher Burton 2002
44 Dennis Burke 1980
45 Carl Carinus 1988
46 John Carinus 1998
47 Douglas Campbell 1987
48 Sam Cawood 1982
49 Ivan Carter 2000
50 Douglas Ian Carlisle 1994
51 Sten Cedergren 1980
52 Alister G. Chambers 1985
53 Magocha Chauke 1989
54 James Buzz Charlton 1995
55 James F. Chance 1994
56 Charidza Charidza 1992
57 Last Chavaruka 1999
58 Claudio Chiarelli 1989
59 Lloyd Chikukwa 1996
60 Joe Chitambwe 1992
61 Christopher Chitsa 1993
62 Jafter Chikinanha 1994
63 Wayne B. Clark 1997
64 R. Clifford 1988
65 T. Chimedza 1997
66 Walter SPIKE Classen 2001
67 Philip Ryan Cliffe 2003
68 Robert Codrington 2000
69 Craig Coid 1994
70 Brendon Coaton 1986
71 William Cloete 1996
72 Andreis (Clem) Coetsee DECEASED
73 Nicolaas Coetze 1997
74 Mike Coulson 2002
75 Anton Coetzee 1999
76 Donavon E. Collen 1995
77 Richard Cooke 1996
78 Gordon Cormack 1980
79 Edward Cumming 1987
80 Lawence B. Cumming 1988
81 Ben Coulson 2000
82 Anthony H. Crick 1997
83 Arthur P. Curtis 1984
84 Andrew R. Dawson 1996
85 Alec Eric Dangare 1998
86 Alan T. Davies 1987
87 William M. DeBeer 1986
88 Hermanus (Buck) De Vries 1981
89 Thys De Vries 1991
90 Dale Desfountain 2002
91 Patrick Dewil 1993
92 Hermanus A. De Vries 1993
93 Magara Dirapenga 1991
94 Niel Duckworth 1997
95 Barrie J. Duckworth 1980
96 Garry Duckworth 2000
97 Kevin A. Du Boil 1994
98 J. Dugamore 1982
99 Robert G. Dupreez 1996
100 Garry Douglas 1992
101 Dirk Du Plooy 1991
102 Leon Du Plessis 1998
103 Daniel Dango 1993
104 Thulani Dube 1998
105 Nixon Dzingai 1994
106 V. Enslin 1999
107 Alan D. Ellliot 1971
108 Stephen F.C. Edwards 1988
109 Mark Element 1986
110 George Enslin 1994
111 Terry Fenn 1996
112 Peter W. Fick 1988
113 Thomas William Everett 1986
114 Alister Gavin Ford 1984
115 A.S.K. Esson 1981
116 R.H.W. Fynn 1980
117 Christopher H. Ferreira 1989
118 Mike Fynn 1981
119 G.V. Purcell-Gilpin 1981
120 Ian Gibson 1987
121 David John Gifford 1982
122 Albert Fritz 2003
123 Peter W. Garvin 1987
124 Paul M. Frodsham 1998
125 Corris Ferreira 1992
126 Alistair B. Fletcher 1999
127 John Greef 1999
128 Christopher John Gough 1987
129 Nicholas A. Greef 2000
130 John Graham Stevens 1980
131 Ian Gloss 1992
132 Wayne Michael Grant 1986
133 Sean David Grant 1998
134 Paul Stephanus (steve) Grobler 1980
135 Stephen Paul Grobler 1974
136 Charl Grobbelaar 1989
137 Angus R. Guthrie 1996
138 Scott Guthrie 1991
139 Cecil John Hales 1996
140 George Hartley 1988
141 David Goosen 1996
142 Maja Hama 1993
143 Graham Hall 1981
144 George Hallamore 2001
145 Garry Hopkins 1993
146 Brent N. Hein 1995
147 Kelvin J. Hein 1981
148 Geoffry Higgs 1988
149 Graham Peter Hingestone 1990
150 Clive Lesley Holden 1982
151 Richard A. N. Harland 1962
152 Peter Hougard 1985
153 Mark William Houghton 1996
154 Rex F.S. Hoets 1999
155 Jonathan Hulme 1993
156 Douglas G. Hidden 2003
157 Alistair John Hull 1984
158 Howard W. Hunter 2002
159 Craig L. Hunt 1986
160 Horst H. Isselbacher DECEASED
161 Winston Wayne Jardine 1993
162 Charles M.A. Jenkinson 1996
163 Brian Johnson 1992
164 Graeme E. Jones 1998
165 Ryan H.C. Johnson 1999
166 Peter Johnstone 1975
167 Ross A. Johnston 1995
168 Derrison Katenaire 2002
169 Shepherd Katsidzira 1996
170 Alexander Kirkman 1996
171 Ken King 1982
172 Pierre Joubert 1995
173 D.A. Joubert 1980
174 Bryn Jolliffe 1994
175 Peter A. A. Johnson 1986
176 Robert Kerr 1989
177 Scott Kendall 2002
178 Andrew Jan Ferreira 1987
179 Dean S. Kendall 1994
180 Richard Kay 1999
181 Douglas J. Kok 1989
182 Andrew John Kockott 1981
183 James Koch 1989
184 Lance Nesbit 1996
185 Rusty Labuschagne 1987
186 Paul Kruger 1982
187 Thierry Labat 2003
188 Kevin (Blondie) Leathem 1989
189 T.B. Landrey 1982
190 Trevor Lane 1982
191 Kim Landrey 1982
192 T.J. Lamprecht 1999
193 Jim Levenderis 1992
194 Owen Lewis 1981
195 Rowan P. Lewis 1996
196 Anthony Moore 1981
197 F. Muchenje 1999
198 Fredereck C. Muller 1990
199 Frikkie C. Muller 1998
200 Louis Muller 1998
201 Rory Muil 1993
202 Baike Muil 1999
203 Cive M. Lennox 1985
204 Brent Lees May 2001
205 Adrian Langley 2001
206 William F. Lemon 1998
207 Niel Ross Lindsay 1992
208 Derek Littleton 1988
209 Derek Lindsay 1999
210 Robert Lurie 2003
211 Roy Ludick 2003
212 James C Mackie 1989
213 Adrian Read 1990
214 F.T.Madawo 2003
215 Alistair John MacDonald 1996
216 Cuan B. McGeorge 1993
217 I.A. Cameron Mackintosh 1992
218 Charles Magner 1993
219 Obert Mafuka 1991
220 Marius Maertens 2000
221 John Marira 1994
222 K. Manyangadze 1996
223 Rob Martin 1980
224 Reginald Masenga 1994
225 Jedias Moyo 1997
226 W.A. Masukume 1997
227 Darren P. Maughan 1996
228 Robert Matonhodze 1997
229 Jeremah Matsika 1999
230 Nevan Lees May 2001
231 Kevin Thomas 1993
232 Carl James Mason 1999
233 L. Zaks Moyo 1987
234 Francis J.C. McCourt 1989
235 Kirk Mason 1991
236 Claude Meredith 2003
237 Garry McKenzie 1988
238 Jannie P.S. Meyer 1982
239 Lovemore Mungwashu 1991
240 Michael G. Michelson 1993
241 William Mills 1994
242 Mathew Hulley-Millar 2003
243 William F. MacDonald 1997
244 Cyril Meredith 1992
245 Daryl Meredith 1993
246 Steven G. Meyer 2002
247 Martiens J. Naude 1983
248 Robert Murray 1988
249 Bradley Fouche 2004
250 Tapera Mushonga 1988
251 D.F.P. Muranda 1993
252 Richard A.R. Bedford 1975
253 Rapheal Ndlouvu 2001
254 Mukhulekelwa Ndlouvu 2002
255 Eddie Mark Naude 2001
256 Honest Ndlouvu 2001
257 Eleckson Ndlouvu 1999
258 Nick Murray 1994
259 Victor Ncube 1997
260 Bruce Nethersole 1991
261 Hilton Nichols 1982
262 Rolf Niemerer 1994
263 Sean Nicole 2002
264 Andre Nel 1993
265 Charles Ndlouvu 2001
266 Dennis Nyakane 1998
267 Don Nichols 1999
268 Collin Nott 1993
269 steven nicholas Boshof 2004
270 Anthony Philip Nicholson 1991
271 John Northcote 1981
272 Elliot Nobulla 1994
273 Thomas P. Orford 1980
274 Hans Otto 1986
275 Philip K. Palmer 1986
276 Phillip Oosthuysen 1997
277 Finnian T. O'Donoghue 1996
278 Ivan Ncube 1996
279 Kevin Oldrive 1996
280 Christopher O'Neil 1992
281 Albert Paradzai 1993
282 Robert Park 1995
283 Murray Osborne 1997
284 Robert Oostindien 1992
285 Craig Parsons 1999
286 Richard Pascal 1993
287 Mike N. Payne 2002
288 Martin Peters 1995
289 Ashley Pearson 1999
290 Charles L.S Pearce 1989
291 Frank Potts 1993
292 John Richard Peek 1992
293 Nicholas Polenakis 1997
294 Manfred Petchl 1984
295 Deon Pistorius 2003
296 Nico Pretorius 1984
297 Paul Ridgewell 1999
298 Godfery Charles Ridley 1994
299 Terry Roach 1989
300 Don Price 1980
301 Gavin Rabinovitch 1978
302 Gordon Putteril 1991
303 Douglas Reynolds 1991
304 Philip D. Reed 1991
305 Craig Robinson 2000
306 J.J.H. Robinson 1986
307 Kevin Robertson 1996
308 Graham W. Robertson 1994
309 Dudley Rogers 1986
310 Simon Rodger 1990
311 John Rosenfels 1980
312 James Rosenfels 2003
313 Peter Ruck 1980
314 Gary Rosenfels 1999
315 Antony Rosenfels 2001
316 Ian Rutledge 1989
317 Stanley Ruswa 1994
318 Gavin Rorke 1990
319 Glynn Peter Rorke 1992
320 William H. Schultz 1993
321 Andrew H. Schultz 1992
322 Michael S. Scott 1994
323 John Sharp 1984
324 Robin Shattock 1980
325 Alfred Samanyada 1998
326 P.D. Seymour-Smith 1979
327 Peter Shore 1999
328 Robert Small 1980
329 M Rukuni 1998
330 Foster Siyawarewa 1989
331 Alan Shearing 2000
332 Stephen Smythe 1999
333 Henry R. Smythe 1995
334 Jairos Shumba 1988
335 Headman Sibanda 1994
336 Alan Sparrow 1987
337 Gerald Snyman 1997
338 A. Paul Smith 2003
339 Michael Smith 1993
340 Justin Seymore-Smith 1983
341 John Stanton 1995
342 Lindon E. Stanton 1989
343 Charles Stanton 1986
344 Gideon Steffen 1984
345 Clive Stockil 1979
346 Rob M. Stirling 1996
347 Barry G. Style 1997
348 Meniziwa Sibanda 1996
349 Robbert Style 1986
350 Robert Swift 1981
351 Sean Steyn DECEASED
352 Alec Strauss 1984
353 Russel Tarr 1993
354 Jonathan Taylor 1989
355 Glen Tatham 2001
356 D. Mike Taylor 2003
357 Steve Taylor 1992
358 Leonard Taylor 1995
359 Piers E. Taylor 1976
360 Richard B. Taylor 1996
361 Nigel Theisen 1985
362 F. Andre Thaler 2002
363 Garth Thompson 1983
364 Andrea Trivella 1999
365 Raymond Townsend 1992
366 Rodon Tourle 1997
367 Ishumael Tshabala 2002
368 M Amin Turk 2002
369 Wayne van den Bergh 1996
370 Lawence van Aswegen 1999
371 Andre van Eeden 1997
372 Peter van den Bergh 1979
373 Ronald van Heerden 1988
374 Abraham van Aarde 1998
375 Louis Van der Merwe 1990
376 Collen van der Linden 1993
377 Ian van Heerden 1980
378 Jannes (hans) van der Heiden 1989
379 Carl van der Riet 1997
380 Brian van Blerk 1999
381 Zayne van der Merwe 2003
382 Malcom van der Riet 1990
383 Craig van der Heiden 1999
384 Leon Varley 1982
385 Abraham van Wyk 1987
386 Con Van Wyk 1987
387 Lovemore Chiwara 2008
388 Nyamutora Isaiac 2006
389 Mike Vickery 1980
390 Rupert van der Riet DECEASED
391 Pierre van Wyk 1991
392 Guy Venter 1994
393 Allan Vincent 1995
394 John Walker 1986
395 Kieth Vincent 1989
396 Bruce Watson 1999
397 Roy Vincent 1986
398 Christopher Walker 1994
399 Colin Wenham 2001
400 Thomas Warth 1980
401 Paul Webb-Martin 1985
402 C.J.D. Walker 1997
403 James Whittal 1980
404 Dave Willis 1998
405 Jonathan (joe) Wells 2003
406 Andrew Martin Webb 1989
407 Barry Wolhuter 1997
408 Jonathan Wright 1988
409 Kent Douglas Yeatman 1998
410 Collan Welensky 1991
411 Michael Woolford 1999
412 Lloyd Yeatman 1995
413 Ronald Yeatman 1990
414 Ernie van Staden 2003
415 Andrew Wilkinson 1981
416 Steven Zvinongoza 1991
417 Lou Hallamore 1980
418 Clive Halamore 1999
419 W. Williamson 1998
420 Gordon Duncan 2003
421 Guy Whittali 2003
422 N.C. Ncube 1999
423 William Kaulback 1990
424 S. Madhuku 1999
425 Darren Ellerman 2004
426 Jonathan A Cadd 1994
427 Evans Makanza 1999
428 Norman Crooks 1996
429 Stewart Cranswick 1994
430 B.F. Chauke 1994
431 Peter Wood 1999
432 Myles Edward McCallum 1999
433 Peter Wadlow 1993
434 Calvin Danobrega 2002
435 Paul Zorn 1997
436 Ray Makwehe 1994
437 Kevin Higgins 2003
438 John H. Moore 1993
439 Andre Eesterhuizen 2004
440 Tembani Zulu 2004
441 David N Winhall 1990
442 Ian Rutledge 1992
443 Stuart Taylor 2004
444 Garry Koen 1984
445 Thomas Gwatidzo 1995
446 Rod Evans
447 George Parkin 1988
448 Frederick van der Sande 1984
449 Dennis Paul 1984
450 Temba Chimanga 1996
451 Wayne Edwards DECEASED
452 Lovemore Makoni 1997
453 Theo Bronkhorst 2004
454 Clifton Sparrow 1990
455 Tim Ellerment 1996
456 Harry Greaves 1992
457 Barry van Heerden 1989
458 A.J. van Heerden 1989
459 Alan M. Moodie 2004
460 Brian Burt 2000
461 Enock Mkwebu 2004
462 Henry Ndlovu 1997
463 Andrew Smith 2004
464 Travis Palmer 2004
465 Glen Stockill 2004
466 Rayn Milwood 2004
467 Franchesco Janoha 2004
468 Jannie Meyer 2004
469 Hendrick Prinsloo 2005
470 Richard Tabor 2005
471 Esterhuizen Andre 2005
472 Nyararai Bhanhire 2006
473 David V/d Westhuizen 2005
474 James Mackenzie 2005
475 Steve Barrie 2005
476 Dan Weller 2005
477 Bruce Cronje 2005
478 John Zvinashe 2005
479 Dirk Fourie 2005
480 Timothy Schultz 2005
481 Niel Davies 2005
482 Kevin Louw 2005
483 Heath Jardine 2005
484 Mathew Stanton 2005
485 Watson Tshipa 2005
486 Ben Kotze 2005
487 Klodias Hove 2005
488 Steven Baipai 2005
489 Jerome Tyrrell Smythe 1998
490 Richard Vickery 2006
491 Michael M.Vallaro 2006
492 Richad Leif Swemmer 2006
493 Jacobus J.J.Vandermerwe 2006
494 Warren Thorne 2006
495 Jacobus J.Botha 2006
496 Quinn Kloppers 2006
497 Kevin Baisely 2006
498 James M. Hone 2006
499 Richard Schultz 2006
500 Gordon Banks 2006
501 Noel G. Dollar 2006
502 Wayne Dietrechsen 2006
503 Luke Njiva 2007
504 Terry Stanley Anders 2007
505 Allan Uglietti 2007
506 Edward Clint 2007
507 Gadreck Nyamhondoro 2007
508 Dirk Mostert 2007
509 Christopher Sibanda 2007
510 Douglas Campbell 2007
511 Clinton Rodgers 2007
512 Howland Anthony 2009
513 Gareth Stockil 2007
514 Nevison Maketo 2007
515 Marieth Mashonganyika 2007
516 Jerifanos Bope 2007
517 Norman Monks 2007
518 Simon Siziba 2008
519 Mapfumo Peter Gava 2008
520 Karel Strydom 2008
521 Kurauvone Mapfumo 2008
522 Winston G. Taylor 2008
523 Lonnie Paul Denney 2009
524 Phillip Smythe 2009
525 Riley Mitchell 2009
526 Chris. J. Esterhuizuen 2009
527 Jonathan Collett 2010
528 Pierre Hundermark 2010
529 Roy Alyward 2010
Thanks Mike, much appreciated.
Hi Scotty
I would have to say that the PAC hunting and red tape has been around for quite some time, as Mike pointed out the internet is making it really tough for these scam hunts and that is truly a good thing.
Because of the world economy it is tougher to sell hunts so you will see a lot of these fly by night operations advertising hunts that are either illegal or on the verge of being illegal, unfortunately there are always certain costs associated to a hunt and the Outfitter cannot get around them, the bottom line is if it sounds to be too good to be true it usually is.
This is my personal opinion but if you are looking at hunting in Zim make sure that you book with a reputable outfit this will usually be one of the local Zim Outfits. I know that if I was to hunt Zim, Martin Pieter’s would be on my list of guy’s to contact?
Scotty always ask for a list of references this is very important!
Best Regards
Louis van Bergen
HUNTING ZIMBABWE - IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL HUNTING CLIENTS
In order to avoid fraudulent hunting activities in Zimbabwe, please ensure that the following documentation is provided at the commencement of your hunt.
Overview of Notice (Click on images to enlarge)
http://www.africahunting.com/hunting...le=4248&size=1
Stamped and Completed Hunting Return Form - TR2 (Application for Hunting NP/CITES (Click on images to enlarge)
http://www.africahunting.com/hunting...le=4247&size=1
Completed NP/CITES Form 11 - TR2 (Click on images to enlarge)
http://www.africahunting.com/hunting...le=4246&size=1
Valid Zimbabwean Professional Hunters License (Click on images to enlarge)
http://www.africahunting.com/hunting...le=4245&size=1
Professional guides and professional hunters are required to have a valid license and be registered with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA). The full license is issued on a plastic identity card which includes the photograph of the holder, license number, date of issue, year for which the license is valid for and a stamped along with a signature from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA). Those still in the training process carry paper licenses.
Should you have any enquiries, please contact the following:
Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe
18 Walter Hill Avenue
Eastlea - Harare - Zimbabwe
Email soaz@mweb.co.zw
Telephone 263 - 4 - 702402
Fax 263 - 4 - 705046
http://www.africahunting.com/hunting...z-zimbabwe.gif
Safaris Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ)
Safaris Operators Association of Zimbabwe (SOAZ) is an organization with members that range from touring, photographic excursions to hunting safaris operators. Click here to visit SOAZ web site for more information regarding basic hunting laws and regulations and more.
http://www.africahunting.com/hunting...a-zimbabwe.gif
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA)
A hunt must be organized and carried out by a safari operator that is registered and licensed with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA). Safari operator are obliged by law to employ a licensed professional guide or professional hunter to accompany hunting clients into the bush. To visit Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority web site click here.
http://www.africahunting.com/hunting/africahunter.gifZimbabwe Ministry of Environment & Tourism (MET)
All operators in Zimbabwe must be registered and licensed with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) to be legal. Operators are responsible for obtaining the permits and supplying the necessary services such as camp accommodation, catering, trackers, skinners, vehicles and a Zimbabwe licensed and registered professional guide or professional hunter. To visit Zimbabwe Ministry of Environment and Tourism web site click here.
Hi All
A few quick points. I understand that Martin Pieters is currently busy updating the PH list as there are a number of fully qualified PHs that do not appear on the list and in addition, there are a couple that have died, left the country etc etc. In addition the list reflects qualified PHs but not necessarily PHs who are still hunting etc. I am sure Martin will post the finalised list as soon as it is completed. I can tell you that this is a huge task.
On the Subject of PAC hunts, No outfitter/operator/PH can offer a PAC hunt legally. Sadly there are several unscrupulous people out there who continue to do so. It should be remembered that participation in such hunts is illegal and could land you in hot water with the authorities. Also give a thought to the honest legitimate people in this industry who lose ground every year to those who continue to break the law.
Finally, my recomendation is to Hunt in a country with a PH/outfitter from that country. That way you can check their credentials with the Hunting association from their respective countries.
Although this is an older article it illustrates how misconception and a failure to communicate programs causes issues.
http://www.lind.org.zw/dagaboys/news...e/June2009.pdf
Quote from above noted link.
Following the report circulated on the 6th October, National Parks (Dr. M.Z. Mtsambiwa) issued the following statement ―Elephant Conservation In Zimbabwe Introduction Elephant conservation remains one of Zimbabwe's main success stories. Of late due to reason beyond our comprehension this conservation initiative is under spotlight with varied opinions being expressed. This is manifesting itself in form of various misconceptions about the state of elephant conservation in Zimbabwe, including accusations of staff involvement in poaching.
The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority therefore wishes to set the record straight by informing our valued stakeholders of the elephant management programmes on the ground to hopefully stop all the misinformation that is doing the rounds.
Elephant Population Status The current national population is about 100,000 with an average growth rate of 5% and of this Hwange National Park and its environs alone hold about 50,000 while Mid-Zambezi Valley, Sebungwe and the South East Lowveld hold 30,000, 15,000 and 5,000 respectively. These figures are based on aerial surveys undertaken jointly by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Utilization: non consumptive and consumptive There are two programmes for the sustainable utilization of elephants in the country : (i) non-consumptive (photographic, elephant rides) and (ii) consumptive (trophy hunting and management off-take). Consumptive utilization is all based on an approved quota with the exception of problem animal control which is responsive to rogue animals whose numbers annually cannot be predicted. There is also a deliberate policy to carry out these programmes i.e. consumptive and non consumptive, in isolation of each other recognizing the different clientele ethics involved. Trophy hunting which annually utilises 500 animals that are declared to CITES each year as 1000 tusks to allow for exportation of trophies takes place in designated places as follows: ï½· State hunting safari areas 145 animals ï½· Private land mainly conservancies 115 animals ï½· CAMPFIRE in communal areas 210 animals and ï½· Forestry areas 30 animals No trophy hunting takes place in National Parks which include Hwange, Gonarezhou, Chizarira, Mana Pools, Matusadona, Kazuma Pan, Zambezi where elephants are found.
The management off take, unlike trophy hunting, takes place in any protected area where elephants occur including the national parks stated above and involves both trophy and non trophy animals but the trophies are not for export in any way. The ivory from such an initiative ends up in central ivory stores at the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Head Quarters properly recorded with a distinct serial number, area of origin, cause and date of mortality and size (length and weight). In order not to change the population structure (age and sex) management off takes are not selective such that trophy animals are also taken but as stated above their ivory is not for export in its raw form. It is sold on the domestic market through regular auctions to registered ivory manufacturers in line with 1997 CITES COP 10 Resolution which allowed Zimbabwe to engage in highly controlled domestic ivory trade.
Management off takes are for ecological reasons to manage surplus animals since elephants at very high densities as is our situation have a high propensity to destroy the very habitat that is the basis for their survival. As they destroy the habitat they also pose serious loss of other biodiversity.
At the moment in Zimbabwe the management off take is utilised for training, staff rations, support for state and other functions, sale to crocodile farmers and where possible live sales for restocking. Meat is also sold cheaply or given freely to communities to supplement their protein requirements.
The management off take involves an approved quota country wide of 1000 animals representing approximately 1% of the population as compared to the 5% annual growth rate stated above. This implies that this off take has no effect whatsoever on the elephant population. Moreover over the years we have never harvested even half of the approved quota.
In April 2007 prior to CITES COP 14 in The Hague SADC Ministers responsible for Wildlife Management approved the Southern Africa Elephant Management Strategy which recognises culling as one of the main tools for effective population control. However, in the event that the Authority needs to undertake culling, all the political, ecological and other considerations including thorough stakeholder consultations would have been met.
At the moment and in preparation for a possible requirement to control elephant population through culling the Authority has embarked on a training exercise for its staff thorough engaging some experienced professional hunters using part of this management quota. This training involves hunting, recovery and processing of elephant products and gathering of scientific data.
However it appears that this training process has not gone down very well with some of our stakeholders resulting in the perception that trophy hunting for commercial purposes is taking place in National Parks. Furthermore accusations of rampart poaching or complicity in poaching by staff have also arisen resulting in staff frustration and low morale.
In response the Authority has deemed it fit to suspend this programme with immediate effect to allow for reviewing of lessons leant in line with adaptive management principles which guide the Authority. (My under lining) It is important to state that this programme has to go on as rations for and training of staff has to be undertaken if we are to meet our conservation goals. The Authority has also to supply meat to other stakeholders as stated above.
We invite all stakeholders with information on poaching by staff or complicity in poaching to provide such information to the office of the Director General to facilitate any investigations where necessary.
It is our sincere hope that this statement will enlighten our valued stakeholders and help correct the perceptions about this programme. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information regarding the programme.
Good article. To those who have not been to Hwange NP recently I can only say that the managment quota must be very low as the destruction to the flora was considerable. And this was only what I could observe from the roads. There was no place that we visited that we did not see elephant and would go as far as to say that the only other animal we saw in similar numbers was Impala. Also keep in mind that I only traveled around 600km in the park.