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Zimbabwe: Parks Authority Establishes Fund to Save Rhino
Harare - The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has established a fund to raise capital for its anti-poaching campaign. Over $2,5 billion has been raised so far.

Its thrust is on the anti-poaching of rhinoceros, following the gunning down of three of the endangered species in Imire Game Park near Marondera two weeks ago. The funds will be used as reward for people who provide information leading to the successful apprehension of the perpetrators. Public relations manager Retired Major Edward Mbewe told Herald Business that the authority's mandate was to ensure conservation of wildlife resources at all costs.

He said the rhino was an endangered species that needed to be protected given that the country is working towards increasing the rhino population through a breeding programme at Imire Game Park. "Zimbabwe has one of the biggest rhino populations in Africa and this is to our advantage in the region. We can attract more tourists.

"It is, however, deplorable that people go on a shooting spree of such an important species to the country. "Thus we have established a fund with other stakeholders to reward people who may lead us to the arrest of those involved in the shooting of rhinos. Over $2,5 billion has been raised so far," he said. In Zimbabwe, rhinos are an endangered species and, therefore, cannot be hunted for either sporting or commercial purposes. Rhinos are bred strictly for tourist viewing. They are de-horned as part of measures to protect them from poachers, who are after its horn, used in some parts of the world as an aphrodisiac. Meanwhile, the authority is currently working with stakeholders to increase the rhino population under Government's wildlife land reform policy. This envisages that stakeholders be involved in the breeding and safekeeping of the animals.

"We have private players we are working with to conserve wildlife through the establishment of conservancies. We release the rhinos to them to keep, but ownership remains with the authority, which is the custodian of the country's wildlife.

"However, the people involved must have a passion for wildlife management and conservation because this is not for commercial purposes," explained Retired Major Mbewe.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200711260135.html
 
 
 
 

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