Tourism and Environment

NGO seeks to curb mass poisoning of vultures in game parks

Published

3 years ago

September 19, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A leading African conservation organisation is exploring ways to utilise technology to curb the poisoning of vultures in Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.

The two game reserves are said to be the most affected by the poisoning of vultures.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), which is dedicated to conserving threatened species and ecosystems in southern and East Africa says it will use vultures as their “Eye In The Sky” to raise alerts about poisoning incidents.

Data would be transmitted from GPS-tracked vultures and sent to monitors, which will enable a more rapid response to potentially deadly incidents.

“The issue is exacerbated by the poisoning of vultures as sentinel species in association with the ivory trade, and other poaching practices, as well as targeting these birds for belief-use trade in their body parts, ” said Andre Botha, the Vultures for Africa programme manager at EWT.

“Vultures are targeted as their visible presence with large numbers descending from the skies and perching near to, or feeding on poached wildlife, alerts law enforcement staff to poaching or poisoning events.

“Their remarkable sentinel function has led to the extensive persecution of vultures across the continent.”

Gareth Tate, Birds of Prey programme manager at the EWT, said the technology will result in quicker reaction to poisoning incidents.

“In essence, when a vulture is killed on a poisoning scene, the immobility triggers an alert within minutes of death, allowing us to pinpoint the sites where vultures have died and respond rapidly and decontaminate the scenes to prevent further loss of vultures and other animals that would otherwise go undetected, or be detected too late,” Tate said.

“It is sad that vultures have to die to detect some of these events, but by sending an early alert signal to us they save the lives of countless other wildlife and allow us to rescue animals that have survived these poisoning events.”

Deborah Kahatano, chief of party for USAID’s VukaNow Activity, which is supporting the EWT innovation, said one of their core objectives was to increase the application of effective tools, technologies, and approaches that mitigate wildlife crime, while also working closely with communities to address these issues.

“The vision for this work is to expand the network of GPS-tracked vultures throughout poisoning hotspots across Africa and incorporate multiple partners and landscapes to uptake the Eye in the Sky poisoning detection system, while continuing to focus on additional proactive conservation measures to address the major indiscriminate threat of poisoning,” Kahatano said.

“This includes undertaking community work and targeted workshops with traditional medicine practitioners to raise awareness around the use of poisons to harvest vulture body parts and its risks to human health, and facilitating improved judiciary and law enforcement response, leading to more arrests being made.”

The first Saturday in September marks International Vulture Awareness Day, which intended to highlight the conservation of vultures that face a range of threats.- The Standard

In the community

Crocodile attacks claim 9 lives, injure 11

Published

1 month ago

March 13, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A surge in crocodile attacks has left a trail of death and destruction in Zimbabwe, with 9 fatalities and 11 injuries reported in the last two months.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), 49 human-crocodile conflict cases were recorded during the same period, resulting in the loss of 44 cattle and 60 goats.

The Mid-Zambezi region, which includes Lake Kariba, Angwa River, and Hunyani River, was the hardest hit, with 19 cases reported. The Central region recorded 14 cases, while 16 cases were reported in other areas, including Matopo, Harare, North-West Matabeleland, and South-East Low-veld.

ZimParks has urged communities to exercise extreme caution, especially around water bodies, during the current rain season. The authority has advised communities to ensure that livestock and children are not left unattended near rivers or lakes, and to take precautions when engaging in water activities such as fishing, swimming, and domestic chores.

To mitigate the situation, ZimParks is working closely with local authorities and conservation partners to raise public awareness and promote safety practices. The authority has emphasized its commitment to finding a balance between ensuring public safety and conserving wildlife.

As the situation continues to unfold, ZimParks has appealed to the public to remain vigilant and to report any crocodile sightings or attacks to the authorities.

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Lion found poached in Victoria Falls

Published

2 months ago

March 7, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A disturbing poaching incident has shaken the conservation community in Victoria Falls, with a lion found brutally killed and mutilated.

According to a statement released by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), a team from the Vic Falls Wildlife Trust was tracking a collared lion when they stumbled upon a gruesome scene.

The poached lion’s flesh had been removed, and its claws and head were missing. However, in a heartening turn of events, a second lion, an adult male, was found caught in a snare but still alive.

Thanks to the swift intervention of veterinary doctors, the second lion was successfully treated and rescued from the snare.

ZimParks has condemned the incident and vowed to work closely with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We are worried about the increasing cases of lion poaching, and we will continue to work with the Police and other conservation partners to curb this challenge,” said Tinashe Farawo, ZimParks Spokesperson.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of wildlife in the area, with ZimParks rangers and anti-poaching units conducting snare-sweeping patrols to protect the animals.

As the investigation continues, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts are calling for increased efforts to combat poaching and protect Zimbabwe’s precious wildlife heritage.

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ZimParks sounds alarm over mining threat to Hwange National Park

Published

2 months ago

March 6, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued a stern warning against a proposed mining project in Hwange National Park, citing catastrophic consequences for the park’s ecosystem and wildlife.

In a press statement released today, ZimParks urged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to cancel the application for exclusive prospecting of mining activities in the Sinamatella Black Rhino Intensive Protection Zone.

The zone is a critical habitat for the critically endangered black rhino, listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Appendix 1.

“The proposed mining project poses a significant threat to the survival of our black rhino population,” said a ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo. “It will increase the risk of species extinction and negatively impact population recovery efforts.”

ZimParks also expressed concerns over the potential environmental degradation, including land, air, and noise pollution, which would disrupt wildlife movement and visitor experiences.

“Hwange National Park is home to Africa’s second-largest elephant population, and mining activities may interfere with groundwater flow, threatening vital water sources,” Farawo added.

The park is also home to the Bumbusi ruins, a historical and cultural site of significance to the Nambian-speaking communities.

Traditional leaders from the region visit the area annually to conduct cultural rituals and rain-making ceremonies.

ZimParks has vowed to continue advocating for the safeguarding of critical wildlife habitats and upholding its commitment to conservation for the benefit of all Zimbabweans and future generations.

The authority has called on the government to prioritize conservation efforts and reject the mining application, citing the long-term benefits of preserving the park’s ecosystem and wildlife.

As the fate of Hwange National Park hangs in the balance, conservationists, tourists, and local communities wait with bated breath for the government’s decision.