Home arrow Action Alerts arrow IMIRE Black Rhino Tradegy
IMIRE Black Rhino Tradegy
Tuesday, 13 November 2007
It is with utter shock, horror and disbelief that we report the massacre
of 3 black rhino at the hands of poachers on the night of the 7th November
2007 at Imire Safari Ranch.

Just over 20 years ago, Imire Safari Ranch became the guardians of 7
orphaned black rhino. The purpose of this was to try and increase the
population of the endangered species and over the past 2 decades, the
Travers family have lovingly reared and bred these animals, successfully
releasing 13 black rhino back into Matusadonna National Park.

Last Wednesday night, the 7th of November, 4 armed poachers dressed in
camougflage uniform, assaulted and tied up the rhino guards and opened
fire on the 3 adult rhino in their pens. All 3 were killed - Sprinter, a
male, DJ, a female who had recently given birth to a calf and tragically,
Amber a pregnant female who was due to give birth in a week. Amber's
unborn calf also died.

The 3 rhino had been dehorned 6 weeks ago in an effort to make them less
attractive to poachers but nevertheless, the poachers tried to hack out
the inch of new horn growth from one of the rhinos before being frightened
off by the sound of a car approaching.

Imire Safari Ranch are now left with 4 orphaned rhinos including DJ's 6
week old calf and they are offering a reward to anyone who can lead them
to the despicable people who were responsible for the massacre. They have
circulated the following appeal for funds for a reward:

Imire Safari Ranch
"What is man without the beast? If all the Beasts were gone man would die
from Great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts soon
happens to man. All are connected". - Chief Seattle

REWARD FUNDING

Reward funding required towards the arrest and conviction of the persons
responsible for the brutal killing of our 3 Black Rhino at Imire Game Park
on the night of 7th November 2007.

"DJ", mother of 7-week-old "Tatenda" (now orphaned), "Sprinter" (father of
"Tatenda") and "Amber" (pregnant mother and ready to give birth). They
were shot while in there bomas. In 20 seconds, our Black Rhino breeding
stock were annihilated.

Obviously the bigger the reward the better the prospects of these culprits
being brought to JUSTICE all funds will be carefully monitored and
invested until such time the reward is paid or refunded to those who have
contributed.
 
Funds may be payable to the following bank accounts:

Local donors:

Bank: Stanbic Bank
Branch: Parklane
Account Name: DatVest Nominees
Imire Black Rhino Fund

Account#: 01 4000 481 8602

Foreign donors:

Save Foundation Donation Fund
Commonwealth Bank of Australia|
Leederville Branch
BSB 066113
Swift Code CTBAAU2S
A/C number 1004 4343

or

Post a Cheque to:

Save Foundation
229,Oxford Street
Leederville,Western Australia 6007

or

e-mail a credit card number to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel: +6189 444 9270



Contact details:

- Mike or Sheila Thompson
- John, Judy or Reilly Travers
- Pete and Mandy Bibby

Address:
Imire Game Park
P Bag 3750
Marondera

Phone: 022-2354 or 022-2094 or 0912 243 072
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

 
  • Limbe Wildlife Centre in SW Cameroon takes care of infant primates that are lucky enough to be rescued from the illegal pet trade. In November 2007, ACF, ERuDeF and Daniel Taylor organised an art workshop with 13 Cameroonian artists in the centre in order to raise awareness and funding for great apes conservation.