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Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit
Newsletter
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"Working together to conserve our natural heritage." |
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Update - August 2008 Through tremendous support from individuals, companies, safari operators, safari lodges and conservation organizations, the Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit remains fully operational despite the current hardships being experienced throughout Zimbabwe. The 16 man unit continues the fight against a variety of forms of poaching within the Victoria Fall region. Since January 1999, the unit has been effective in deterring poaching, with many success stories to relate. |
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There is
no denying that subsistence and commercial poaching are taking a toll on
Zimbabwe's wildlife populations. It is a harsh reality that we can not
hide from and there will always be poaching. However, we have to make a
stand and achieve whatever we can to minimise these illegal activities.
The problem of poaching in Zimbabwe can be linked to the nation's
crippling economy, rising unemployment and land disputes. These forces
combine to drive more individuals to poach wild animals, making their
living from supplying demands from the bush meat market, as well as from
the illegal trade in ivory, game skins and rhino horn. The fact of the
matter is that poaching is not sustainable. We hear numerous reports of how bad the poaching situation is, many of them true and I keep asking the question of where do we find a solution. I have now had to train myself to focus on what positives there are with regard to wildlife and it’s conservation in Zimbabwe. One of these positives is the fact that VFAPU has survived these tough times to date and will continue our cause as long as this generous support is there. VFAPU serves as a good example of how positive results can be achieved as the private sector works in collaboration with the National Parks and Wildlife management Authourity, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other local authourties. We have conducted numerous joint operations together and by doing so, have overcome shortages of manpower, fuel and equipment and thus have achieved greater results.
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So far, with very little available in the shops and inflation over 2 million percent, 2008 has seen a marked increase in poaching incidents, with a number of mammals having been poached. The number of snares found in the bush have increased and incidents with poachers hunting with dogs within the Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Parks becoming more common.
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These results and efforts by VFAPU would not of course, be possible without funding. VFAPU is very grateful to all those who have contributed to our cause, assisting us with the purchase of new sets of uniforms for the scouts working with VFAPU. With this funding we were able to also purchase 9 new sets of hand-cuffs which have already been put to good use. VFAPU now has a social soccer team with uniforms, two soccer balls, and shooters being provided by donor funding. Funding has also provided us with the opportunity to conduct Game Scout training courses with subjects such as radio procedure, bush navigation, discipline and drill, tracking, arrest procedures, public relations and tourism and others being covered. On a recent course, all of the VFAPU scouts performed very well, each scout earning his Certificate of Competence with high marks being achieved. 5 scouts are currently taking part in another intensive Game Scout training course. Our darting programme continues with the costs of tranquilsing drugs and darts being met from donor funding. Roger Parry and Ian Du Preez still volunteer their precious time. We have been able to save a number of mammals from an otherwise painful death.
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 Donor funding also provides for operational costs such as fuel, running costs for the recently donated vehicle, medical aid for the Scouts, food and rations for the Scouts, repairs and maintenance to the two-way radios and importantly, salaries for the Scouts working on the ground. For any further information, please contact me on cat@yoafrica.com Thank you. Yours in conservation…. Charles Brightman.
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Please send inquiries to
cat@mweb.co.zw |
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Copyright©2008 All rights reserved. Pictures and information are trademarks of VFAPU and may not be duplicated for commercial purposes without the explicit written consent of VFAPU. |
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