Mugabe gives elephants to China
ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION TASK FORCE
Only after the last tree has been cut down.
Only after the last river has been poisoned.
Only after the last fish has been caught.
Only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.
Cree Indian Prophecy
7th November 2011
MUGABE GIVES ELEPHANTS TO CHINA
Zimbabwe has donated 3 elephants to China. This was in appreciation for the
fact that China helped President Mugabe’s wife build an orphanage for 1000
children.
On the 19th May this year, President Mugabe reaffirmed the Presidential
Decree, protecting the Presidential Herd of elephants. We do not know where
the 3 donated elephants came from but on the one hand, the president is
promising to protect the elephants, and on the other, he is giving them
away – subjecting them to a long traumatic journey which they may not even
survive.
INJURED HIPPO IN CHARARA
Towards the end of October, Charara residents spotted an injured hippo on
the flood plain. The hippo was clearly suffering and at least 2 people
reported the matter to Kariba National Parks and asked them to come and put
the animal out of its misery. Four days later, National Parks had failed to
respond and the hippo died. If National Parks had only responded quickly,
this poor animal could have been saved a lot of pain and anguish.
TWO RHINOS KILLED IN MAZUNGA
Two rhinos were killed by poachers in the Mazunga Conservancy area of Beit
Bridge. One of the poachers, Lloyd Ndou was shot by game ranchers and is now
fighting for his life. His four accomplices have escaped with rhino horns
worth $120 000.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE
We have received complaints about a Chinese owned milling company in Shamva,
next door to the GMB. It is alleged that local gold miners in Umfurudzi,
Shamva and Bindura take their ore to the milling company to have the gold
extracted. The milling company sells 3,5 kilograms of mercury to each miner
and this mercury is then used in separating the gold from the ore. After
separation, the balance of the ore is dumped in a huge pile which is now
approximately 15 feet high, 30 feet wide and 60 feet long and the
complainants are concerned that there doesn’t seem to be any evidence that
the mercury is removed from the waste ore prior to dumping. The mill runs 24
hours per day and mills 4 tons of ore per hour This means that approximately
96 tons are milled and dumped per day. One miner claims that he used 700
grams of mercury to process 28 tons of ore.
The biggest concern is that when the rains come, the mercury contaminated
waste ore will be washed into the Mazoe River system, poisoning the water
which is a hazzard both for the aquatic life and the humans in the area.
Mercury is poisonous and can cause various diseases including cancer. It is
believed that no Environmental Impact Assessment has been done and we are
appealing to the Environmental Management Authority to please investigate
the situation urgently.
THANK YOU
Johnny Rodrigues
Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force