Vic Falls Lioness killed by Poachers

 From Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust website:

March 18, 2025

We’ve lost one of Zambezi National Park’s most well-known lions

Above: We are devastated to share that the Hippo Creek female – the dominant female and pride of Zambezi National Park – was killed in a targeted poaching incident. Photo: Suzanne Elliot Smith

Greetings,

We have heartbreaking news. Two weeks ago, we lost the matriarch of the Hippo Creek Pride (pictured above) to a targeted poaching incident. Many of you knew her – the dominant female and pride of Zambezi National Park. If you’ve been on safari here in the past seven years, chances are you’ve encountered this remarkable lioness.

Tragically, the losses don’t end there. Our region has seen a surge in targeted lion poaching. In December, we found the remains of another female from Zambezi National Park. Before that, our colleagues in Hwange also lost lions to targeted poaching. But these are more than just individual losses – when lions are poached, entire prides are disrupted. Cubs are left vulnerable and often killed, males move further afield to cover wider territories, and the risk of human-wildlife conflict increases.

Now, two young females (pictured below with their mother) – just four years old – are left to lead the Hippo Creek Pride. They lack their mother’s experience and roam dangerously close to the city of Victoria Falls.

Sadly, through the loss of these two lionesses, we have also likely lost five cubs. Two cubs belonging to the lioness killed in December have been confirmed dead, and although the three nine-month old cubs (pictured below) of the Hippo Creek female somehow survived the past two weeks, they are malnourished and unlikely to survive.

WWF bemoans killing of L/stone rhino

 WWF Zambia says it is saddened by the recent killing of a three-year-old white rhino in Livingstone’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The Ministry of Tourism has offered an undisclosed reward to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the poachers who killed the white rhino. Ministry of Tourism Principal Public Relations Officer Nelly Banda revealed that the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday between 02:00 and 03:00 hours. In a statement, WWF Zambia stated that the devastating event marked a significant setback in Zambia’s ongoing efforts to restore its rhino population. “WWF Zambia is deeply saddened by the recent resurgence of rhino poaching, with the latest incident occurring on Tuesday, 11th March, 2025...

Source: WWF bemoans killing of L/stone rhino (14/03/2025)

Rangers discover dead, skinned, and headless lion in Victoria Falls

 THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has raised serious concerns over rising cases of lion poaching in the country following the discovery of a dead lion in Victoria Falls.

The animal had been skinned, with its claws and head missing.
In a statement on Friday, ZimParks reported that a team from the Vic Falls Wildlife Trust was tracking a collared lion when they detected a stationary signal. Upon further investigation, they discovered the dead animal, along with another lion that had been caught in a snare but was still alive.
“With the assistance of veterinary doctors, the second lion, an adult male, was successfully treated and rescued from the snare,” said ZimParks.
Following the incident, a report has been filed with the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and ZimParks’ investigations team is working closely with law enforcement authorities.
“We are deeply concerned about the increasing cases of lion poaching, and we will continue collaborating with the police and conservation partners to combat this issue. Our rangers in Zambezi, along with anti-poaching units in Victoria Falls, are actively conducting snare-sweeping patrols in the surrounding areas to protect wildlife.
We remain committed to addressing this critical problem and will provide updates as new developments arise,” said ZimParks.
In a report from October last year, Down to Earth cited wildlife conservation groups indicating that lion bones are in high demand in Asian countries such as China and Vietnam, where they are used in unscientific traditional medicine.
In Vietnam, 89 per cent of people believe in the effects of products made from tigers and lions, despite research showing no real medicinal benefits, according to World Animal Protection.
“Of those who consume these products in Vietnam, almost nine out of 10 prefer big cat products from animals caught in the wild rather than farmed,” the report states.
The report also noted that in China, more than two out of five people surveyed had used drugs or health products containing big cat derivatives, while over half of Chinese consumers preferred their big cat products to be sourced from the wild.

Source: Rangers discover dead, skinned, and headless lion in Victoria Falls

 (07/03/2025)

African Sun Hotels donates US$21K to a conservation organisation in Victoria Falls

The African Sun Hotels group has donated US$21 000 to The Victoria Falls Anti- Poaching Unit, a non-profit wildlife organisation to cover salaries and medical aid for game scouts.

During the handover ceremony held in Victoria Falls today, African Sun Hotels’ head Marketing, Public Relations and Innovation Charleen Mtezo said this is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility in order to fulfill and meaningfully impact the communities in which they operate, as well as contribute towards the achievement of the United Nations agenda 2030 for strategic development goals.

“The town of Victoria Falls is located in one of the most beautiful environments,” she said.

“However, the beauty of the location comes with some heavy burden of human and wildlife conflict. The Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit tries to ease some of the burdens by protecting the wildlife and habitat from poachers, as well as rescuing and rehabilitating injured animals.

Additionally, they train ex- poachers in new skills so they find alternative avenues of revenue creation to give them a sustainable income without doing harm to flora and fauna. It is against this background that the African Sun Limited, we saw fit for us to assist the Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit, so that they are able to carry out the challenging tasks at hand.”

She said the donation of will cover salaries, medical aid for scouts for a period of 12 months.

“l wish to invite other corporations to join us safeguard our precious environment and transform the lives of our communities. Lastly, I applaud those who are already on the ground doing the same.”

Source: African Sun Hotels donates US$21K to a conservation organisation in Victoria Falls (30/06/23)

Bush meat poachers target Vic Falls wildlife

The Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) said animals such as warthogs that used to roam the city were now hard to come by because they were killed by poachers, who use snares.

“Due to Covid-19 mainly, many of the resident warthogs within the town of Victoria Falls have been poached,” VFAPU said.

“(In April), one of the surviving families (four of them) ventured into the bush by CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) park and sadly three of them were snared.

“Thank you to concerned residents of Victoria Falls who had heard the warthogs squealing, for chasing off the poacher, who had already butchered one of the pigs.”

VFAPU said between January and April, it apprehended 59 suspected poachers around Victoria Falls.

The anti-poaching unit removed 163 snares and another 309 snares were identified by Zambezi Horse Safaris.

During the period, 28 snared animals were rescued.

Trevor Lane, founder of Bhejane Trust, a non-profit organisation that seeks to protect wild animals in the region, said the snaring of animals by poachers had become a cause for concern.

“The issue of snaring is a major concern to us,” Lane said.

“The poachers take advantage of small fines where one can get a suspended sentence and community service or fine.

“Although we appreciate what the courts are handling cases according to the law, we believe that the sentences should be tougher in order to send a message because the issue around these crimes is that the offenders will be doing it for commercial purposes.”

Employers Association for Tours and Safari Operators president Clement Mukwasi said the decimation of wild animals in Victoria Falls was now seriously affecting their business.

“Covid-19 exposed many wild animals in our nearby parks and around town to poaching because continued lockdowns meant that there was no monitoring of activities around wildlife crimes and due to massive job losses in the industry, people opted for self-help as streams of income diminished,” Mukwasi said.

“Wildlife around town has become part of our lifestyle and visitors enjoy that urban-wilderness feeling in harmony with nature and through our bush game drives in areas such as the Zambezi National Park and with poaching in these areas, it means that there is reduced variety of animals for one to view.

“We wouldn’t want to find ourselves in a situation where this continues happening as it kills our tourism.”

The snaring of wild animals is also affecting villagers living on the outskirts of Victoria Falls as their livestock gets caught by the snares.

Lifa Nekatambe from Monde village, which is located about 15 kilometres from Victoria Falls said he had lost livestock because of snares set up by poachers.

“In May, two of my calves were snared and killed while in November last year, one of my bulls was severely injured from the neck when poachers put snares at Masuwe River where our animals drink from,” Nekatambe said.

“The pain these poachers have inflicted on is too much and they are hardly known, but we understand that these are criminals who will be targeting wild animals and it keeps worsening,”

In February this year, Clemence Ncube, a Victoria Falls council employee was arrested and taken to court for running over a warthog with his vehicle before skinning it.

At the time, prosecutors said he hit the animal at the Aerodrome area and skinned it at his Chinotimba residency.

He was convicted on his own plea of guilt and fined $20 000 in local currency.

Source:  Bush meat poachers target Vic Falls wildlife (11/09/22)

Enviro Watch in drive to reduce firewood consumption

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

A LOCAL community organisation has launched an environment conservation project where it is distributing less firewood consuming stoves to households.

Vic Falls Enviro Watch’s motive is to reduce cutting down of trees for firewood and use of open fire in the household. It gave 15 rocket stoves to Siyazama Women’s Group in Victoria Falls as a pilot project which will be rolled out to the whole city if successful.

This comes in the wake of a suspension of issuing of permits to sell firewood and the national blitz against illegal firewood and charcoal dealers by the Forestry Commission.

There have been concerns about massive cutting down of trees in and around Victoria Falls by residents for firewood.

A majority of them come from some parts of Mkhosana, Chinotimba, Aerodrome and CBZ stands that have no electricity.

Fifteen women who are members of Siyazama Women’s Group were given rocket stoves on Saturday as a pilot project.

A rocket stove is made of a four-dimensional hollow pipe with three openings, one being an inlet for firewood, the other is a fire outlet on which the plate is mounted, and a breather at the bottom.

The stove uses twigs and chips from wood hence consumes three times less firewood than an open fire.

Vic Falls Enviro Watch made the stoves which are being given free of charge as a pilot project.

The organisation’s chairperson Mr Tony Peel said their motive is to reduce cutting down of trees and use of open fire at home.

“We are concerned about unsustainable developments in Victoria Falls and so we decided to come up with these rocket stoves which are generally three times effective than open fire and use limited energy but with high output.

This is a pilot project which we will be monitoring and once it’s effective we will roll it out to the whole town,” said Mr Peel.

He said the concept will be spread countrywide if it proves to be a success with the aim of reducing deforestation across the country.

Vic Falls Enviro Watch has also erected wildlife related road signs along the Victoria Falls-Kazungula road to prevent accidents caused by wildlife.Victoria Falls ward 11 councillor Edmore Zhou who helped in the formation of Siyazama Women’s Group said members will be assisted in getting firewood from the Forestry Commission.

‘We are negotiating with Forestry Commission so that club members can have access to firewood. The beauty about this stove is that it uses very little firewood meaning you won’t have to endanger your lives going into the wildlife infested bush. The council will soon be raiding firewood dealers and you will be safe,” he said.

Siyazama chairperson Mrs Ketani Phiri said: “Most of us have been arrested and encountered wild animals in the bush. We fetch firewood all year round except for the rainy season when the bush will be thick. So, we sat down and thought of having something sustainable hence we came up with the idea of this club. We want to try this stove and we hope it will work well so we don’t frequent the bush.”

Most houses in Victoria Falls have heaps of firewood which they poach from the surrounding bush. — @ncubeleon

Source: Enviro Watch in drive to reduce firewood consumption (16/08/21)

Victoria Falls residents decimate Chamabondo National Park

SOME suburbs in Victoria Falls have been without electricity for a decade and residents have been cutting down trees for firewood causing massive deforestation in the nearby Chamabondo National Park.

The Victoria Falls City council management has expressed concern over the cutting down of trees which is an environmental hazard.

Hlalani Kuhle, BC846, BC847 which have been in existence for about a decade as well as CBZ stands that were built starting in 2016 have no electricity.

Some electricity poles still lie on the ground where Zesa electricians dumped them a few years ago.

Residents use firewood, charcoal, gas and solar energy. Many poach firewood from the bush where they usually have running battles with anti-poaching teams from the local authority, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and other private organisations.

A news crew spoke to some of the residents who said they risk their lives from being attacked by wildlife or shot by rangers as they fetch firewood in the bush.

They said life is unbearable and implored authorities to urgently look into the matter and connect electricity to the area.

“We usually monitor the movement of rangers and enter the bush mostly during lunch time or towards the evening when they stop patrolling. We have had several encounters with rangers and anti-poaching units and those who fail to run away get arrested and usually are made to pay spot fines or at the police,” said one of the residents, Ms Sithulisiwe Ncube of CBZ.

Ms Saneliso Dube of BC846 said she has resorted to gas because of the running battles with rangers.

“We still have no electricity here and I now use gas and charcoal for cooking. We wish one day Zesa will connect us because we are tired of buying charcoal,” she said.

Ms Molly Tonono of CBZ stands said they need electricity ironing, cooking and charging electrical gadgets.

Some said they struggle to work from home as they cannot use electrical gadgets such as laptops and phones because of lack of electricity.
A few fortunate ones have installed solar panels for lighting and connecting electrical gadgets.

Victoria Falls City mayor Councillor Somveli Dlamini said the council has engaged Energy and Power Development as well as Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry ministries over the issue.

He said residents resort to haphazard cutting of trees because they are desperate.

“Deforestation was necessitated by failure by the power utility to connect the suburbs to the grid. Some of the suburbs were built in 2010 but still have no electricity and residents get into the bush for firewood. We hope Zesa will act faster in erecting the poles they delivered some time ago,” Cllr Dlamini said.

Acting Zesa spokesperson Ms Prisca Utete could not be reached on her mobile phone for comment but a source within the power utility said the company is struggling to get transformers to connect new suburbs.

Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu who was in Victoria Falls last week, said Government was aware of the issue after being approached by the local authority and is worried about cutting down of trees hence measures would be taken to address the situation.-@NyikaLingani

Source: Victoria Falls residents decimate Chamabondo National Park (31/03/21)

‘Curb Rampant Poaching Of Firewood In Matabeleland North’

 Authorities have been urged to address rampant illegal poaching of firewood which has led to deforestation in Matabeleland North province. There has been a notable increase in unsustainable harvesting of firewood in rural and peri urban areas in the province which has resulted in the mushrooming of illegal firewood traders who have commercialised the commodity.

Power cuts in urban areas have increased demand of firewood as an alternative source of energy with vending stalls now a common site along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.

In a speech by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matebeleland North, Richard Moyo which was read by the Deputy director in his office, Tapera Mugoriya during the provincial Tree planting day held at Chief Nekatambe’s homestead in Dete on Saturday called on authorities to carry out post harvesting audits to curb rampant firewood poaching.

“Regardless of the importance of indigenous trees to the wellbeing of Zimbabwean communities, the trees suffered heavy destruction in some areas due to a number of factors. While firewood has traditionally been harvested for domestic use, it has increasingly become a commercial commodity in urban areas to complement other forms of energy. This has led to the unsustainable harvesting of trees in rural and peri urban areas and the mushrooming of illegal firewood vending stalls across the country’s towns and cities including along the highways.

“Some of the firewood traders are holders of legitimate licenses/permits issued by the Forestry Commission and Hwange Rural District Council. I want to challenge these two authorities and other environmental agents to conduct post harvesting audits covering the areas where the firewood is coming from before renewing or issuing new licenses/permits,” said Moyo.  He said the country was saddled with a high level of deforestation which stood at 262 000ha annually which was exacerbating climate change. 

“We must ensure that we abide by the country’s environmental legislation and statutes if we are to address the levels of deforestation which nationally currently stands at about 262 000ha per annum. In times such as these when climate change induced challenges are real, it is our duty to as responsible citizens to plant and conserve trees as these form our first line of defense and safety nets against this natural problem. Tree planting is one of many responses to mitigate and adapt to climate change situations.”

Moyo said this year’s commemorations which featured the Baobab tree ran under the theme” Fruit trees for food security and nutrition” was part of efforts by government to promote food security.

Companies in Hwange were also urged to plant trees which play a very important role in regulating the localised microclimate associated with built up areas. Last month a joint operation comprising of security organs, agencies, local authorities and other stakeholders carried out a blitz that was targeting among other things illegal firewood traders especially in Hwange and Lupane districts.

Stakeholders who included Forestry Commission, Painted Dog Conservation, safari operators, District Development Coordinator, Zimparks, traditional leaders, community and traditional leaders took turns to plant Baobab trees in and around chief Nekatambe’ s homestead. The baobab/umkhomo tree which is abundant in Hwange district is used to make fruit pulp, immune boosters, relish, ropes, coffee, bags, paper, oils and amongst other things.

Mishingo Private Business Cooperative, a community-based self-help group has embarked on utilisation of the tree’s products through value addition projects.

Source: ‘Curb Rampant Poaching Of Firewood In Matabeleland North’ (20/12/20)

ZimParks arrests 629 poachers

 THE Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) has recorded 842 poacher incursions into the country for the first half of this year, with 629 poachers having been arrested, the Daily News on Sunday reports.

ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo, pictured, said out of the 629 arrests, there were 13 cases of armed conflict that resulted in three deaths.

 “From these cases, we managed to recover 10 riffles, 110 rounds of ammunition, 39 pieces of ivory and 17 rhino horns. The reason why we have been able to intensify our efforts and be successful is that we now have improved technology.

“We have been using technology, including drones, to monitor activities in our national parks and we have been able to detect poachers encroaching into the parks and respond swiftly,” Farawo said.

 

He added that collaborative work with other countries had also assisted in the fight against poaching.

“We have been working with other countries to combat poaching because most of the country’s wildlife parks are near borders. So, we have transfrontier conservation areas, including the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park and the Chimanimani Transfrontier Conservation Area. Collaborative efforts have assisted us fight poaching,” he said.

“We have also been working with local communities and increased communal awareness on the dangers of poaching.”

Farawo recently said 50 people had died after being attacked by wild animals across the country in the first seven months of the year, while several others were injured as cases of human-wildlife conflict continue to increase.

 “So far, 50 people have died as a result of human and wildlife conflict. They were attacked by animals including hyenas, lions, crocodiles, buffalos and elephants. The elephants accounted for 50 percent of the deaths.

“In addition, 40 people have been injured and some of them sustained serious injuries to the extent that they can no longer provide for their families.

“The increase in human and wildlife conflict is a result of overpopulation where we have more wild animals encroaching human settlements sometimes in search of food and water,” Farawo said.

He added that there was an urgent need for a depopulation exercise in order to reduce the number of people succumbing to human and wildlife conflict.

“The number of wild animals is increasing while the number of people is also increasing.’’

Source: ZimParks arrests 629 poachers (16/08/20)

78-year-old villager fined US$20k for killing leopard

Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
A 78-year-old man from Dete in Hwange District has been ordered by the court to pay the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) US$20 000 after he trapped and killed a leopard.

Amos Moyo of Thuthukani village on the edge of Hwange National Park used an axe to finish off the marauding big cat that had been caught by a trap he had set in Vulamashava bush.

The trapped leopard attacked Moyo on Thursday last week when he went to check the trap, resulting in him sustaining serious injuries on both arms, head and face.

The leopard pounced on Moyo who used his hands to wrestle it after his axe had fallen down.

He later managed to reach for the axe and struck the leopard to death but almost lost his right eye.

Moyo asked his nephew Perfect Ndimande (20) to carry the carcass home where they skinned it with the help of Mr Tayi Moyo and Mr Gudu Justice Moyo.

Moyo and Ndimande were jointly charged with making, possessing or using Class Two traps and another of removing any animal or any part of an animal from any land or from one place to another on the land, when they appeared before Hwange magistrate Ms Rangarirai Gakanje.

Moyo told the court that he decided to trap the big cat after it killed his goat.

“One of my goats was killed sometime in March and I saw some leopard spoors. I was frustrated when nothing was done after I reported to authorities,” said Moyo.

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison which was wholly suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence. He was also ordered to pay ZimParks US$20 000 being the value of the leopard.

The magistrate said she had taken into account Moyo’s advanced age and that he almost lost his life, which was enough punishment.

Ndimande was fined $1 200 or alternatively four months in jail if he fails to pay the fine by July 31 and in addition, he was sentenced to a further two months in prison which were suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.

Ms Gakanje said she considered that Ndimande did not participate in setting the trap while Tayi and Gudu were not charged because they only assisted in skinning the animal.

The carcass, skin and trap were forfeited to the state.

Prosecuting, Ms Jamesina Makanza said Moyo committed the crime between Thursday last week and Sunday.

“During the period between 18 and 21 June Moyo set a Class Two spring jaw trap in Vulamashava bush and caught the leopard. He found the trapped leopard alive and it attacked him before he killed it.

Investigations by ZimParks rangers who were on patrol led to Moyo’s homestead where they found the leopard carcass hanging from a tree and the skin spread on the ground to dry. Moyo and Ndimande were then arrested. — @ncubeleon.

Source: 78-year-old villager fined US$20k for killing leopard (26/06/20)

Victoria Falls city fathers, residents face off

A Vic Falls forest along Kazungula Border Post Road which has been targeted by residents for indiscriminate cutting down of trees

VICTORIA Falls authorities and residents have faced off over the increased rate of deforestation in the resort town as residents invade surrounding forests including game parks in search of firewood during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The lockdown is into its third month and many companies in the resort town are closed as they rely on tourism which has been hit by the banning of international flights.

Residents, most of whom are employed in the tourism sector, are no longer receiving salaries and the cost of electricity and gas has gone out of reach, forcing them to turn to firewood.

This has riled the city fathers, prompting ward 8 councillor Goshen Zhou to issue a warning to residents.

"I am equally worried about people cutting big trees along the buffer zone between Kazungula Road and other areas. ZimParks, police and council will punish those doing this. Let us guard our vegetation jealously. We are the face of Zimbabwe. Heavy penalties are on the way (so) stay away from destroying the future of our children," Zhou said.

"There is need to sensitise residents and warn them that heavy fines will be charged to those that poach for firewood."

However, a resident, Mbongeni Sibanda said wood poaching had become rampant because of economic hardships exacerbated by the coronavirus lockdown because most people in the resort town were out of work.

"Times are hard; there is no money to buy electricity and people can't afford gas. Can authorities come up with better and more affordable ways to help these people? It's not that they want to do that, some fetch firewood for sale because they are sleeping without food. For instance, we have elephants that have killed people and we all know that ZimParks and other local authorities are benefiting from wildlife by having animals slaughtered for their staff 's consumption, surely as city fathers, a request can be made for a number of elephants and buffaloes to be killed and given to people to ease these hardships" Sibanda said.

Oliver Gumbo urged ZimParks to designate days when residents would be allowed into the parks to harvest drywood to avoid clashing with rangers.

"This way the people will also feel part of the conservation of wildlife and forests. Right now they get arrested for wood gathering (‘I don't want to use the word poacher here I think it's exaggerated) and they see you council and ZimParks officials bringing loads of wood for yourselves. If you go to ZimParks residential area you will find piles of wood there, and drying meat on lines. Please, let's find ways for our brothers and sisters to survive and stop labelling them poachers, that was a Rhodesian mentality," Gumbo said. Victoria Falls sits in between Chamabondo and Victoria Falls game parks which are now threatened by illegal tree logging.

Source: Victoria Falls city fathers, residents face off (23/06/20)

Zimbabwe: Cyanide Recovered in Victoria Falls

Forestry Commission officials in Victoria Falls last week recovered oranges, cucumbers and amarula fruits in a plastic bag laced with cyanide poison.

It is suspected that some poachers left them hanging on a tree in a bid to kill elephants in the forest. National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

"On June 3, 2020, a Victoria Falls Forestry Commission Patrol team discovered oranges, cucumbers and amarula fruits in a plastic bag, hanged in a Mususu tree in the Fuller forest," he said. The fruits were tested and results revealed that they were laced with cyanide poison.

"Poachers use this method to kill animals for their selfish gain. Members of the public are warned against poaching."

Asst Comm Nyathi said investigations were still in progress and no arrests had been made.

In 2018, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) discovered four elephant carcasses at Hwange National Park following suspected cyanide poisoning.

The elephant tusks had already been removed when the carcasses were found.

Separately, two people were also arrested in Binga after they were found in possession of two pieces of ivory.

In 2015, at least 26 elephants were found poisoned by cyanide in the Hwange National Park, barely a week after 14 jumbos died. ZimParks officials said 16 jumbos were found dead in Lupande area, while another 10 were found at Chakabvi in Nyamatela.

They recovered 14 tusks while seven other elephants had their tusks poached.

Source: Zimbabwe: Cyanide Recovered in Victoria Falls (11/06/20)

Suspected Poacher Collapses, Dies At Dete Police Station

A BULAWAYO man who was suspected of poaching reportedly collapsed and died at the entrance of Dete police charge office in Matabeleland North where he had been moved after his arrest.

According to a police report compiled after his death, Brighton Munkombwe, 30, of Douglasdale in Bulawayo, collapsed at the entrance of the police charge office last Friday.

He was arrested after he was found with three kilogrammes of the deadly cyanide granules in a bag when he was cornered by an anti-poaching reaction team of police and rangers.

The reaction team had received a tip-off that Munkombwe wanted to buy ivory from some villagers and laid an ambush in Gwayi.

Four villagers who Munkombwe was suspected to have been trading with fled, leaving two elephant tusks when the reaction team pounced on them at midnight. This happened about eight kilometres away from Gwayi shops along the Gwayi-Lusulu road.

“On 29 May at 3 pm the informant who is employed by the Zimbabwe National Parks as a ranger received a tip-off that Munkombwe was trading in ivory at Hankano area in Gwayi,” read a report made by Zimbabwe National Parks senior ranger Enos Mudenda of Hwange Main Camp.

“The informant teamed up with two support unit police officers and four other rangers and laid an ambush at 7 pm along Gwayi-Lusulu road,”

It is alleged at around midnight, Munkombwe and four unidentified men appeared from the direction of Gwayi business centre carrying a pair of ivory.”

The reaction team tried to arrest the five but they fled into the darkness.

Munkombwe, who was carrying a black satchel, failed to keep speed and was arrested. The recovered bag had three kilogrammes of cyanide.

The reaction team recovered two elephant tusks abandoned by the four suspects when they fled.

The team took Munkombwe to Dete Police Station but he collapsed on arrival at the entrance to the charge office.

The police rushed Munkombwe to Dete Clinic for Covid-19 screening and it was discovered that his temperature had dropped to 32 degrees Celsius.

A report of sudden death was made and the body was taken to Hwange Colliery Hospital before being transferred to Bulawayo for a postmortem. The results of the postmortem could not be established.

Source: Suspected Poacher Collapses, Dies At Dete Police Station (04/06/20)

Zimbabwean football player arrested after found with 8 elephant tusks

Hwange Football Club defender Craven Banda has been arrested after he was found with eight raw elephant tusks, police said.

The 35-year-old, an employee of Hwange Colliery Company, was arrested on Sunday after a joint police and park rangers team swooped on him in Makwika Village where he was apprehended with the tusks in a bag.

Banda is charged with contravening section 82 (1) of the Parks and Wildlife (General) Regulations SI 362 of 1990 as read with section 128 (1) (b) of the Parks and Wildlife Act [Chapter 20:14] prohibiting unlawful possession of elephant tusks without a permit or licence.

He faces a minimum nine years’ imprisonment for the offence, if convicted.

Inspector Siphiwe Makonese of Matabeleland North police said Banda was arrested at a bus stop at around 3PM on May 24 following a tip-off.

The raw tusks were inside a blue bag which he was carrying.

The left-back is registered with Hwange for the 2020 season after spending last season with Makomo FC in the Southern Region Division 1 league.

Between 2011 and 2013, he enjoyed a stint with Motlakase Power Dynamos in Botswana.

Despite high profile international efforts to stop the massacre of elephants for the illicit ivory trade, the world’s largest land animals continue to die in appalling numbers.

With illegal ivory selling at around US$730 a kilo, poachers can make life-changing fortunes.

A pan-African study last year revealed how 144,000 elephants had died over the previous decade.

Source: Zimbabwean football player arrested after found with 8 elephant tusks (26/05/20)

Spike In Wildlife Poaching As Poachers Take Advantage Of Lockdown Laxities

ZIMBABWE has realised a spike in wildlife poaching as the wildlife management authority has redirected efforts towards combating the spread of Covid-19 during the current lockdown period, a top lobby has said.

The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), a non-governmental organisation that promotes proper extraction and administration of natural resources, said Zimbabwe had noticed a surge in wildlife animals including lions, elephants, and rhinos being killed for poaching purposes since the start of the Covid-19 national lockdown on 31 March.

“Zimbabwe started implementing the preventive measures against Covid-19 on the 17th of March 2020 and subsequently went on national lockdown on the 30th of March 2020,” CNRG said in a statement.

“However, not much effort has been directed at ensuring transparency and accountability in wildlife management during the ongoing lockdown.

“In Zimbabwe, between January and February, three elephants were killed by poachers, but since the beginning of the lockdown, at least seven elephants have been lost in the Hwange National Park and Bubye Conservancy.

“Two white rhinos were also killed in April, although the poaching incidents were not reported publicly. Lions and buffaloes were also among some of the animals that were killed in April.”

CNRG also took to task government for failing to solve human and wildlife conflicts especially during the Covid-19 lockdown.

“Governments have taken unprecedented measures to curb the spread of Covid19 since it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation in January, however, in Zimbabwe, human-wildlife conflict which is defined as any human and wildlife interaction which negatively impacts human being’s social, economic or cultural life is an ignored epidemic.”

According to Justice for Wildlife Commission (JWC), poachers have seen closures, the diversions of law enforcement to Covid-19 related duties and reduced ranger patrols “as ideal opportunities for exploitation”.

The lack of tourists “who may unwittingly act as ‘capable guardians from within the parks only increases this risk, the JWC said.

Source: Spike In Wildlife Poaching As Poachers Take Advantage Of Lockdown Laxities (25/05/20)

Vic Falls police probes arms cache

POLICE in Victoria Falls are investigating a case where wildlife rangers found two metal boxes 0f ammunition with 1 500 rounds in the Zambezi National Park.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident and said investigations have been launched to establish the source of the arms cache.

“I can confirm that we received a report about such an incident and police are currently conducting investigations into the source of the ammunition,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He appealed to members of the public to come forward with information or to report to the police if they come across any suspicious objects anywhere.

Mr Posent Mudenda, a Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority ranger stumbled on the arms in Kalisosa area in Zambezi National Park while leading a team of five wildlife researchers from Lion Encounter last Friday.

They found two metal boxes of 7.62mm ammunition with about 1 500 rounds inside.

They reported the matter to the police and handed over the ammunition.

A specialist team from the police and Zimbabwe National Army attended the scene.

Source: Vic Falls police probes arms cache (04/10/19)

Nearly U.S.$18,000 Raised to Boost Anti-Poaching Efforts in Victoria Falls

Nearly US$18,000 has been raised to combat poaching in Zimbabwe's top tourist destination of Victoria Falls by an annual fundraising golf tournament, coordinated, hosted and sponsored by hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism.

A total of US$17, 852 was raised at the 19th annual Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) Golf Day at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club on September 20, where 136 players, making up 34 teams, teed off for the charitable cause playing a 4 Ball Alliance format.

The tournament was won by the Toyota 2 team, made up of Yeukai Gatsi, Felix Sachiti, Fanuel Moffat and Irimayi Madyambudzi, who finished on 99 points, while Curverid Tobacco's Natural Disaster and Paperhole Investments took second and third places respectively.

The lucky winners each took home an accommodation voucher for two nights for two people at the premium Victoria Falls Safari Club, with breakfast included, and one dinner at The Club restaurant.

Dendairy won the Best Dressed Ladies' Team, while Trentyre was named the Best Dressed Men's Team, and the Zimbabwe Special Olympics Team, sponsored by The Bronte Hotel, participated in the event for the sixth year.

The lucky raffle winners went home with a four-night fully inclusive safari package for two, staying at Matetsi Private Game Reserve and Camp Hwange; two return regional air tickets on BA Comair; and three nights for two at Ruckomechi Camp in Mana Pools.

Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) chief executive Ross Kennedy said the success of the VFAPU Golf Day was yet another example of the incredible strength and character of our community in the midst of a very tough economy.

"Many regular supporters stated it was the best VFAPU Golf Day ever, and we thank every single person involved for making it happen ... our AAT team, Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club and all players, sponsors and donors," Kennedy said.

The golf day is just one element of our continued fundraising efforts and so we urge those who can still assist in cash or resources to please consider supporting VFAPU," he said.

VFAPU head of operations Charles Brightman thanked everyone involved, saying the funds raised annually at this tournament were vital to VFAPU's survival and this would go a long way towards covering the unit's operational costs.

VFAPU's 17 scouts, who tackle all forms of poaching in the Victoria Falls region, have arrested 792 serious poachers since the unit was established in 1999 by Brightman, a professional guide and conservationist, and Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, AAT's flagship property.

The unit, which works closely with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, has also removed nearly 22 500 wire snares from its operational area, and rescued 243 mammals injured by snares.

Source: Nearly U.S.$18,000 Raised to Boost Anti-Poaching Efforts in Victoria Falls (03/10/19)

Wood poachers invade Vic Falls game parks

RECURRENT power cuts and the recent steep tariff hikes have accelerated the deforestation of Victoria Falls’ two major game parks as residents poach firewood, a cheaper substitute to electricity, community leaders have said.

The situation is feared to have ripple effects on the tourism sector, thereby affecting revenue inflows to council and safari operators.

The resort town is surrounded by two parks, Chamabondo to the east and the Victoria Falls Game Park to the west, which are popular for game drives.

However, the two parks are now under threat as residents have resorted to uncontrolled tree-cutting.

Victoria Falls, like most other towns, has been hit hard by endless power cuts lasting up to eight hours.

The situation in the resort town is worrying community leaders and safari operators as the continued cutting of trees in the game parks threatens the town’s mainstay – tourism.

Victoria Falls Residents Association chairperson, Morgan Gaza Dube yesterday said the rate at which the parks were being deforested was cause for concern.

“There has been rampant deforestation of the games parks as residents seek firewood. Actually, the failure to provide electricity by the power utility has already accelerated deforestation. This has been coupled by the recent hike
in tariffs and it’s worrisome,” Dube said.

His sentiments were echoed by ward 6 councillor, Ephias Mambume (MDC Alliance), who said underfunding of anti-poaching interventions had not saved the situation.

“The current load-shedding plus the proposed limits will only exacerbate the already dire situation, where residents are depending on wood as a source of energy for cooking. This is also coupled by the fact that anti-poaching
interventions were severely underfunded. Victoria Falls game parks will inevitably be affected as people poach for firewood,” Mambume said.

Source: Wood poachers invade Vic Falls game parks (23/08/19)

Former Vic Falls mayor arrested for poaching

 FORMER Zanu PF Victoria Falls mayor Sifiso Mpofu and two others have been arrested for illegally possessing 11 elephant tusks, weighing 120kg.

Mpofu, Phathiso Sibanda and Milton Sibindi are suspected to be part of a poaching syndicate operating in Victoria Falls and Chemadondo Game Parks near the resort town.

Reports say the syndicate was busted after police and Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife (ZimParks) rangers received a tip off that the trio was part of a poaching syndicate.

They raided Mpofu’s house in Mkhosana suburb around 2am yesterday and found 11 pieces of elephant tusks and a pistol.

Mpofu was then arrested and implicated the other two, leading to their arrest.

They are currently in police custody and expected to appear in court soon.

ZimParks spokesperson, Tinashe Farawo confirmed the arrest and commented members of the public for helping the authority to curb poaching.

“It’s true the police together with our rangers apprehended Victoria Falls ex-mayor, Sifiso Mpofu, Phathiso Sibanda and Milton Sibindi after they were found to be illegally possessing ivory,” Farawo said

The arrests comes a few weeks after seven Chinese nationals were found in possession of 20,89kg semi and processed rhino horns with a street value of $1,8 million.

National Police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could not readily comment.

Source: Former Vic Falls mayor arrested for poaching (09/03/2019)

 

Two white rhinos killed in Mosi-o-Tunya Park

TWO white rhinos were last week killed in the Mosi-O-Tunya National Park in Livingstone.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife suspects the killing of the two rhinos was an inside job, as the radio-tagged animals were well-protected and were under surveillance.

“We strongly suspect that this was an inside job involving one of our officers,” said Sakabilo Kalembwe, who is Ministry of Tourism and Arts spokesperson.

According to Mr Kalembwe, the rhinos, a male named Lewis and a female named Sepo, were gunned down on Sunday night by poachers who went away with a horn from one of the animals 

Source: Two white rhinos killed in Mosi-o-Tunya Park (30/09/18)

More: Chinese Poachers kill Rhinos in Livingstone park (26/06/18)