Invaders threaten to drive out elephants from conservancy
Saturday, 01 October 2011 19:21
BY NQABA MATSHAZI
A herd of 70 elephants at the Chiredzi Conservancy is under threat after
poachers, war veterans and politicians invaded the area and are threatening
to drive out wildlife.
Already two elephants, including one lactating, have been killed, while some
calves have reportedly gone missing.
The invaders and poachers reportedly threaten the lives of wardens at the
conservancy, while politicians turn a blind eye to the decimation of the
elephant population.
In a statement, Glyn Hunter, a spokesperson for the conservancy, said the
invaders were chasing the elephants, snaring them and in some cases had
threatened to shoot the animals.
Efforts to get intervention from the government have so far drawn a blank,
as Environment minister, Francis Nhema is reported to have said he would do
something about the invaders, but is still to act.
“According to local residents, while he acknowledged that the invaders were
there illegally, no attempt is being made to relocate them or address the
issues on the ground,” Hunter said.
Conservancy owners had asked the minister to help facilitate the relocation
of the elephants, but Nhema was adamant that they stay. The land invaders
have reportedly been offered alternative land, but they declined the offer,
insisting they wanted to stay on the conservancy, despite the fact that the
land is not suitable for agriculture.
The plight of the elephants is reminiscent of a case in January this year,
where war veterans were reportedly poisoning watering holes at Humani Ranch
so they could trap and kill rhinos, then dehorn them.
Due to land invasions, promoted by Zanu PF, only a handful of conservancies
remain compared to more than 640 a decade ago.
“It is increasingly critical for the coalition government to pass a law that
protects conservancies under the Tourism Act so that conservancy principles
are adhered to, for the protection of wildlife and the environment,” said
the president of the Commercial Farmers’ Union, Charles Taffs.