Poacher Shot Dead in Transfrontier Park

The Herald (Harare)

June 21, 2004
Masimba Karikoga
Harare

ONE poacher was shot dead, while another was injured last week in the Sinamatela area on Zimbabwe's side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier National Park by game rangers from the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

The poacher, who was suspected to be a member of a three-man gang, is believed to have killed an elephant, whose carcass was found by rangers near the site of the shooting.

One of his alleged accomplices was inured during the shootout with Parks officials but managed to escape, presumably with the help of his other colleague.

Parks officials recovered two rifles.

A manhunt for the two surviving poachers has since been launched.

Director-general of the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority Dr Morris Mtsambiwa said the dead poacher was still to be identified as he had no identify particulars on him.

"Indications are that the poacher is of Mozambican origin. Nevertheless, we still have to ascertain his true identity," he said last week.

The latest shooting brings to four the number of poachers killed so far this year. Last year, 12 poachers were killed in different parts of the country, said Dr Mtsambiwa.

The Parks director noted that there had been a decrease in poaching incidents for international trophies, particularly zebra skins and elephant tusks.

He attributed the decrease in poaching-related crimes to intensified patrols by the Parks authority.

Dr Mtsambiwa said the Parks authority arrested an average of 250 poachers every month. The majority of those, however, were involved in subsistence poaching of species, such as fish and small game, usually for biltong.

Dr Mtsambiwa said the authority had embarked on a recruitment drive for more rangers in order to keep the situation under control.

He said the authority intended to increase its anti-poaching unit to 1 400. So far 1 040 rangers had been recruited while the search for the remainder had been intensified.

"It is really cumbersome to deal with small-time poachers, particularly those who are involved in illegal fishing.

"Usually, when apprehended the poachers are asked to pay a fine for contravening the National Parks and Wildlife Management Act.

"However, once they have paid their fines, they immediately resort to their illegal trade," he said.

Dr Mtsambiwa said the authority, nearing the end of a restructuring exercise, had already started deploying senior wardens in poaching hotspots in its effort to keep on top of the situation.

"We never know when the next poacher is going to launch an attack. As the Parks authority, it is imperative that we remain vigilant and ready to deal with any poachers, anytime," he said.

Dr Mtsambiwa said the authority would soon acquire a helicopter for aerial surveys, anti-poaching and for bird control.

The authority recently took delivery of 120 Land-Rovers to boost its anti-poaching operations.

The acquisition came at a time when 139 elephants and about 20 endangered black rhino were lost to poachers along the Zambezi Valley escarpment.

The authority has also launched a massive investigation on private game properties in West Nicholson amid allegations that some were engaged in illegal hunting activities involving South African nationals.

Of the more than 139 elephants killed by poachers since last year, at least 50 were slaughtered between January and July.