FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Save Valley Conservancy, Translocation of Wildlife.
Following a statement by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) the Save Valley Conservancy issues the following statement.
The conservation success story of the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in the south east of Zimbabwe is truly a beacon of light for the long term. The SVC has been called “The Gold Standard of Conservation” by American NGO’s for good reason. Sustainable livelihood of the Big Five as well as numerous plains game and other predator species living in the pristine, unspoiled protected area, that is the Save Valley Conservancy. The Save Valley Conservancy, once a series of cattle ranches, has over the last three decades proved that the business model of conservation based on sustainable use can work, so much so that the conservancy today has an overabundance of species and is able to be seen a source population for the re-populating or augmentation of several species in ZPWMA estates.
To this end the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has recently issued permits for the translocation of up to 600 elephant to various destinations within Zimbabwe. A selection of plains game and other species has also been earmarked for translocation to release pressure on grazing and browsing in the Save Valley. The Conservancy would like to commend the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks in their progressive outlook with regards to the sustainable management of their wildlife resources.
The translocation is proposed to take place in 2020/21 following the engagement of relevant stakeholders, ecologists and supporters to ensure that the destination landscapes are ecologically capable of sustaining the new wildlife and that the adequate protective and management measures are in place.
The SVC is working closely in the initial planning stages of the project with the donors, ecologists, capture specialists and stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and success of the proposed translocation.
The Save Valley Conservancy has engaged with The Ivan Carter Wildlife Conservation Alliance to assist with several aspects of this translocation and we are very grateful to the Cabela Family Foundation for underwriting 100% of this this translocation as a commitment to the conservation of key species and ecosystems in Africa. The Conservancy is proud to be associated with ZimParks in this proposed project which is of vital importance to conservation in Zimbabwe.
The SVC is looking forward to a successful partnership with ZimParks in ensuring the safe completion of the translocation. There are some areas in Zimbabwe that over the years have suffered wildlife losses due to illegal poaching and human wildlife conflict. With renewed commitment from ZimParks and its associated partners, stronger anti-poaching measures are now in place in these areas alongside safe boundary management and the SVC is assured that the animals will be able to flourish in their new homes.
To this end the SVC is proud to be able to prove that sustainable use of wildlife does indeed create excess animals, which can in turn be used to repopulated National Parks and related wildlife areas.
To date the Save Valley remains a prime destination. Good rains in the Lowveld region have ensured Save Valley has flowing rivers and adequate forage and feed for the abundant wildlife. The translocation proposal is there as a management tool to ensure that the Save Valley remains one of the last large-scale pristine wildlife areas on the planet. And it will assist other areas in Zimbabwe that are capable of sustaining wildlife long term where their populations have been diminished.
Any press enquiries should be directed to the SVC COO Steven Vos at [email protected]