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HORRIFIC GROWTH IN CHINA’S ILLEGAL IVORY TRADE
Recent research shows that the demand and the price of elephant tusks on the market in China has sky-rocketed since 2002. It appears that the legal ivory trade in that country is acting as a smokescreen for horrific escalation of illegal activities which are driving the unsustainable killing of elephants in Africa, and overwhelming all efforts to enforce the law.
This was revealed late last year by Save the Elephants (a world-renowned organisation founded by Dr Iain Douglas-Hamilton more than 20 years ago).
Says Douglas-Hamilton: “One hundred thousand elephants were killed for their ivory in Africa in just three years between 2010 and 2012 according to our research. China holds the key to the future of elephants – without China’s leadership in ending demand for ivory, Africa’s elephants could disappear from the wild within a generation.”
Read the whole article at this link:
The Zambezi Society is deeply concerned about the implications of this report. It comes at the same time as the announcement of the results of a 2014 National elephant survey carried out throughout Zimbabwe (see article below).
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ZIMBABWE’S NATIONAL ELEPHANT STATISTICS 2014
It comes at the same time as results of a recent National elephant survey carried out throughout Zimbabwe show a 40% decline in elephant numbers within the Middle Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe since 2001 (from 18,000 to 11,500), and a 75% decline in the Sebungwe area south of Lake Kariba (from 13,000 to 4,000)!
While the number of elephants in Hwange National Park has shown a small, but statistically insignificant increase of 10% (49,000 to 54,000), the message for the rest of the Zambezi valley is clear – poaching is rife and we need to do something about it.
The data from the four significant ranges in Zimbabwe (Hwange, Sebungwe, Middle Zambezi and Gonarezhou) are shown in the graphic below:
Richard Maasdorp (Strategic Director of the Society ) was privileged to have been invited by Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to the 3 day workshop in December at which the findings of the 2014 survey were presented.
The figures derive from a national air survey conducted by experts against tried and tested protocols over several decades. This survey formed a part of a major Africa-wide project The Great Elephant Census, which undertook to conduct surveys of all major elephant projects across African in the same year – 2014.
As the analysis of data progresses, cross-border population status will be better understood as will be an estimate of the continent’s total elephant population in its major ranges. It is worthy of note that the figures resulting from the Zimbabwe National count are considerably more representative of this large and mobile species than the annual voluntary counts held in both Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks.
It is evident that each of Zimbabwe’s sub-regions has experienced differing population dynamics and impacts. The most important and urgent post-workshop activity is for the best minds to develop a management plan for elephant relevant to both the country as a whole and the sub-populations. The Zambezi Society urges the Parks and Wildlife Authority to expedite such a plan as a matter of urgency. This plan would arrive at suggested “carrying ranges” for each sub-region. From this will follow management interventions to work, over the next planning period, to achieve these ranges. These management interventions are complex and will require the collective cooperation of local and global stakeholders. The Society has offered its full support to assist the Authority to implement the resulting plans in two of the sub-regions, namely: Sebungwe and the Middle Zambezi.
It is noted, with dismay, that the media, critics and sections of the Government have formed diverse opinions on the elephant situation and hence their recommended solutions are ill considered and inappropriate. For example the potential for wholesale export of baby elephant is not an acceptable elephant management practice.
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EXPORT OF ELEPHANT CALVES FROM ZIMBABWE
We urge the Parks Authority and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate to share their plans for the export of elephant calves. By doing so interested parties can be kept advised of the motivation for such exports, the extent of the exercise, the methods of capture, the conditions of carriage and the destination of these animals. The current lack of transparency around this project has served to inflame public opinion. We believe that a more open approach, may, on the other hand, result in offers of assistance to ensure the entire process is conducted in as safe and humane method as possible.
The Zambezi Society does not support the project if its motivation is either a population management intervention or an income-generating exercise. As the project appears to be happening outside the public information domain the temptation is to fear the worst for the humane treatment of the impacted animals. Occasional cases of the export of elephants to reputable facilities for reasons of education, awareness and ultimately for the protection of the species as a whole could be considered to be a marginally beneficial practice.
CITES allows the export of live animals provided the entire process is conducted in a humane manner and that the destination is “appropriate.” As can be seen by visiting this link , this is still work-in-progress as the terms used lack definition. We urge CITES management to both revisit their position with respect to exportation of live elephant and to be specific with their definitions. Meantime, The Zambezi Society will be engaging the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority on the subject.
We urge reputable animal welfare organisations such as SPCA, VAWZ, AWARE Trust and WWF to give a statement on their position with the regard to the export of an unknown number of baby elephant from the country.
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UNCONTROLLED VISITOR ACTIVITY IN MANA POOLS
ENFORCEABLE GUIDELINES ARE REQUIRED.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Over the past couple of years, it has become obvious that the wilderness experience in Mana Pools National Park has undergone a noticeable deterioration, with the increasing abuse of this unique Park by unsanctioned, uncontrolled human activities. It appears that, with an increasing influx of visitors and wildlife photographers keen for that "once-in-a-lifetime image", wild animals and the Park’s fragile ecosystems are increasingly suffering from the impacts of human behaviour.
A few years ago, The Zambezi Society, in consultation with its members, produced and published "Respect the Wild - a Code of Conduct for Visitors in Wild Areas" (follow the link and scroll down the page). This is still displayed on posters (pictured here) in the campsite and lodge accommodation at Mana Pools. However, it seems that even this clear message is going unheeded.
The perpetrators of the abuse appear to be a a relatively small percentage of the local and foreign visiting public as well as some tour operators. It would be a travesty if, as custodians alongside Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA), we allow the situation to deteriorate. This would inevitably result in draconian restrictions being imposed on tourism, thus reducing the area to a “typical game park” as opposed to a a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a globally-significant, singularly unique environment. Such an elevated status demands responsibility and respect.
Mana Pools should not be a "free-for-all" for visitors, but a role model to world tourism.
The Zambezi Society has begun the process of formulating a collaborative set of recommendations, using the Mana Pools Management Plan as a baseline, to present to National Parks to use as guidelines for "self enforcement”.
As a first step, we have met with Mana Pools tour operators to identify key problems and possible solutions. The following issues (and potential solutions) were identified (note that these are simply a starting point for discussion and in no way represent any adopted recommendations at this stage) :-
PROBLEMS
- Misconduct while walking in Mana, resulting in interference with wildlife and its behaviour;
- Unlicensed operators;
- Firewood;
- Litter and waste disposal;
- Off-track driving;
- Poaching;
- General operator ethics and footprint, including camps and vehicles;
- Unlicensed weapons;
- Number of campsites (both public and operator);
- Overload on the Mana "floodplain" (and particular parts of it) – sites, infrastructure, roads, access;
- Erosion of roads;
- Tension between viability and sharing the experience
- Ration hunting;
SOME POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:-
• Observing existing rules & Code of Conduct. While this is challenging to enforce, it was suggested that each visitor to Mana Pools be required to sign a Code of Conduct and that will remain at the ZPWMA office. (As is currently the practice in Gonarezhou National Park, but amended for both Mana Pools and Chitake Springs).
• Public walking – it was suggested that the Code of Conduct should be enforced and targeted strategies (awareness, signage, etc) attempted before eliminating public walking. It was also suggested that there be some investigation into why this has become a problem in the last few years.
• Parks "ration hunting". It was suggested that strategies from other parks, such as Gonarezhou and Matusadona be investigated to see whether any other plan may be viable in Mana Pools.
• Litter & waste – increased enforcement and awareness of the carry in/carry out policy. Revisit the use of the campsite incinerator (which may need to be rescuscitated).
We now need input from supporters of The Zambezi Society and the visiting Public.
We have designed two simple PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS each with a short list of questions which required your answers. The first of these focuses on Mana Pools National Park in general, and the second is more specifically focused on Chitake Springs.
Please follow the above links to these CONSULTATIONS and send us your responses to the questions by e-mail as soon as possible.
YOUR PARTICIPATION IS HIGHLY VALUED. PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO DO THIS. YOUR OPINIONS COULD MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE TO THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE OF MANA POOLS IN THE FUTURE.
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MANA POOLS - A PLAN FOR ANTI-POACHING
A Steering Committee of stakeholders, chaired by The Tashinga Initiative and including the Zambezi Society and some Mana Pools tour operators has been formed to work with ZPWMA to draw up a comprehensive plan to assist with anti-poaching efforts in the Mana Pools area. A meeting to discuss this important collaboration is due to take place shortly. We will report back in our next Bulletin.
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CHITAKE SPRING - ROAD RE-ALIGNMENT PROJECT
National Parks in Mana Pools have put a road very close to the eastern rim of Chitake Spring (see green line on the map), and are using it to deploy anti-poaching rangers into the base of the Zambezi escarpment hills. This road, which is not barred for entry, is now being used by the visiting Public and some Operators for game viewing. It cuts directly across the main game access paths to the Spring (red arrows) and is proving extremely disruptive. Traffic along it is disturbing animals trying to access the spring. At time large herds have been observed running away only to have to return at night. This is impacting on both the animals and the value of a tourism wilderness experience at Chitake. Less animals come to the Spring by day.
The Zambezi Society believes this road should either be moved or closed.
We have sought (and obtained) permission from the Parks Station to assist them with cutting a new 3-km-long anti-poaching access road off the main road to Mkanga Bridge some 3 kilometres east of the Chitake turn-off, at a point well away from the Spring itself and game trails accessing it. We hope to achieve this before the start of the new safari season in 2015 and will also take steps to make the offending road less obtrusive.
We are calling for supporting donations to allow us to employ, deploy and provision casual labourers for the job and to purchase cement for the building of a river crossing on the new route. Please EMAIL US if you can assist, and/or MAKE A DONATION.
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MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK - WILDLIFE SURVEY 2015
During the dry months of 2015, The Zambezi Society plans to work with again WildCRU of Oxford University and The Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) to undertake a scientific survey to estimate the population density, occupancy and distribution of wildlife species in Mana Pools National Park, especially the ‘difficult to observe’ nocturnal species.
Park management requires accurate estimates of wildlife populations and trends in order to make appropriate management decisions. Several methods are available ranging from aerial surveys (best for large easily observable species such as elephant and hippo) and sighted line transects (best for large diurnal species). Methods such as camera trapping and spoor surveys provide good estimates of carnivores and smaller, less easily observed nocturnal mammal species. These methods are repeatable over time and can provide robust estimates of population trends. If multiple methods are used simultaneously (e.g. camera trapping and spoor transects) then cheaper more easily applied methods can be calibrated for accuracy.
The planned work will be carried out over a 3 month period, during the dry season by a 2-3 person survey team. It will involved the following methods:-
Spoor transects will be carried out along appropriate roads within the Park, building on previous Leopard Survey work done in 2006 and 2011 (see above). Each road is driven (at approx 10kph). A skilled tracker is seated on the front of the vehicle and number of spoor and GPS location of each encounter is recorded. The distance driven provides a measure of effort. Each road transect is driven on 2-3 separate occasions. Based on previous calibrations of the method estimates of population size can be calculated.
Camera traps. A grid of camera trap stations (each comprised of 2 cameras placed on opposite sides of the trail or path) is set up with approximately 4km between each station. Cameras are motion-sensitive and are triggered when animals pass by. The survey is run for 40 days. Images are recorded on an sd memory card in the camera and downloaded periodically for analysis. As this method will be run in parallel with spoor surveys estimates can be verified and the spoor survey method calibrated for key species.
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THANK YOU TO OUR MANA DONORS
The Zambezi Society would like to express our sincere thanks to the following companies who continue to assist us in support of conservation efforts in Mana Pools National Park:-
Redan Petroleum (fuel for anti-poaching deployment)
Taita Trading (donation of tyres for National Parks vehicles in Mana Pools).
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LARGE SCALE COPPER MINING IN LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA: ZIMBABWE CIVIL SOCIETY PETITIONS TO PREVENT IT
At the invitation of the Zimbabwe CBNRM Forum and The Zambezi Society, a group of 40 Zimbabwean Civil Society representatives met on 13th November 2014 at a workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe to be briefed on the issue of the Kangaluwi open-pit copper mining project (and associated road construction) slated for the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia. This lies across the Zambezi River from Mana Pools National Park, the Mana Pools/Sapi/Chewore World Heritage Site and the Middle Zambezi Biosphere Reserve) (see map).
Zambia’s Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA), the Zambian Ministry of Tourism, traditional leaders, communities, stakeholders (including WWF Zambia) and independent experts reject the project. But in January 2014, Zambia’s then Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection over-ruled this objection and allowed the project to go ahead. A court challenge was subsequently mounted by the Zambia Community Natural Resources Management Forum (ZCBNRM), putting the project on hold.
The workshop expressed support for Zambian opposition to the development. An urgent petition to the Zimbabwean Minister of the Environment was drawn up, requesting him to engage with his counterpart in Zambia and encourage him to adhere to international law regarding Protected Areas and put a final stop to the controversial proposal.
We strongly encourage you to read more information and sign the Petition via our website HERE
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MATUSADONA NATIONAL PARK – MANAGEMENT & MONITORING
Peter Musto, Zambezi Society Operations Director, reports:-
“The Zambezi Society continues to support Zimbabwe’s Parks & Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) on the ground in Matusadona National Park with both material and logistical support. Ideally we would like to be more involved in the management of the Park, with both medium and long term planning as well as day to day management. This is our aim going forward.
Area Manager, Mike Jonasi and Senior Wildlife Officer, ‘Musa’ Masuku, have left Matusadona and we wish them well in their new postings. We would like to welcome Victor Mkwebu, who took up his new posting as Matusadona Area Manager on 1st February, as well as Ashley Mudungwe, the new Parks ecologist at Tashinga. We look forward to establishing a good working relationship with both of them on our camera trap monitoring programme and other projects (see below).
We have a number of camera traps on the Zambezi valley floor, some deployed specifically to monitor the few remaining black rhino (and other animals) in Matusadona, and others deployed specifically to monitor illegal human movement. The cameras deployed to monitor rhino are strategically placed within the territories of each rhino and have proved very effective in monitoring the rhino. Those deployed specifically to monitor illegal human movement are monitored by MAPP (The Matusadona Anti Poaching Project), with whom we continue to work closely (see below).
We plan to expand this programme to cover a much wider area. The challenge is to be able to get back to each camera frequently enough to be able to react within a reasonable time frame to any footage that is of interest.
COLLABORATION WITH MAPP ON MATUSADONA ANTI-POACHING
We continue to work closely with MAPP, providing material support in the way of our Zambezi Society Landcruiser pick-up, fuel and cash to help cover their running costs.
Henry Macilwaine (water-based MAPP operations) and his brother James (land- based MAPP operations) continue to do a great job. It is largely to the credit of James and his dedicated team of National Parks rangers, that a number of significant arrests of ivory poachers have been made. Weapons and ivory have been recovered, and a recent contact with armed poachers in the Park (in February 2015) resulted in the death of 2 poachers, one of them already wanted for ivory and weapons related charges. James works closely with the Minerals and Border Control Unit as well as the Zimbabwe Police and has built up a good rapport with both. The results they have achieved are testament to that.
Henry operates the water-based effort and works tirelessly despite having to put up with daily frustrations in the way of logistical and personnel constraints. Over the past three years more than 320kms of illegal fishing nets and over 100 fishing boats have been confiscated and well over 100 arrests have been made by Henry and the rangers operating with him.
ZAMBEZI SOCIETY 5-DAY MATUSADONA ESCARPMENT “SWEEP” IN 2014
The 1000sqkm ‘Zambezi escarpment area’ of the Park is very difficult to access and as a result is seldom patrolled by Park rangers. It has been suspected for a long time now that poaching in this area has been out of control. To get a better understanding of the situation in this area it was decided to carry out a combined Zambezi Society/ZPWMA operation in the area in August last year (2014).
Twenty-two Zambezi Society supporters teamed up with ZPWMA rangers to form five teams, and were strategically deployed to areas of particular interest within the escarpment. The aim was to cover as much ground as possible over five days, recording anything and everything of interest. Written reports were backed up by photographs and GPS locstats of game sitings, carcasses and poachers camps etc.
The exercise was a resounding success and served to confirm what we already suspected was the case. Wildlife is very sparse and the escarpment area has been heavily poached. The challenge now is to reclaim this area.
The Zambezi Society would like to express a big thank-you to all the volunteers who took part, and especially to the Morris family for co-ordinating. The National Parks Authority is looking to introduce walking trails in the mountainous escarpment in order to maintain a human presence as much as possible. They have also asked The Society to repeat the “sweep” exercise again in 2015. A meeting will be organized later this year to give feedback on last year’s exercise and talk about plans for this year.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Finally we would to thank all of our friends and donors for their ongoing generosity. In particular we would like to mention Save African Rhino Foundation (Australia), Redan Petroleum, Chisipite Junior School,The Balmain Trust (UK) and KW Blasting who have remained unwavering in their support, despite the considerable challenges faced in this Park.
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OUR LEOPARD PROJECT
Although the Zimbabwe Leopard Survey Project officially ended in November 2013 we continue to gather ‘off take’ data from the hunting concessions where ‘spoor surveys’ were carried out. In total, 14 400km of transects were covered at 28 sites around the country covering an area of 48 123 sqkm, equating to 12% of the country.
A preliminary report was produced following the leopard workshop held in December 2012 and is now available for download as a PROJECT REPORT on the Zambezi Society website Publications Page HERE.
However, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) has not been able to provide the actual ‘off take’ figures from the various hunting concessions where surveys were carried out which has meant gathering this data from each concession and this is proving to be a challenge. Once this exercise has been completed and the ‘off take’ data has been gathered the final analysis can be done. This will be followed by a national leopard management strategy meeting that will, hopefully, result in a national leopard management strategy being implemented. A final report will then be produced.
The Zimbabwe Leopard Survey Project was a collaborative partnership between WildCRU of (Oxford University), The Zambezi Society and the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) with funding from the Darwin Initiative UK .
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BIRDLIFE ZIMBABWE APPEALS FOR INFO ON VULTURE SIGHTINGS AND/OR VULTURE POISONING
Birdlife Zimbabwe are embarking on a vulture awareness and fact-finding campaign in the face of threats to African vulture populations from poisoning of animal carcasses. Please report all important vulture sightings and/or evidence of poisoning to Birdlife. Find out more by e-mailing them.
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THE ZAMBEZI SOCIETY MOURNS THE PASSING OF ONE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA'S GREATEST CONSERVATIONISTS, DR IAN PLAYER
Dr Ian Player, who died on 30th November 2014 aged 87, was a true inspiration and role-model for us all in Southern African conservation, especially those of us involved in wilderness conservation and the efforts to save our highly endangered rhinos.
Our Society participated in two international Wilderness Congresses – in South Africa and in Alaska and we developed lasting partnerships with the WILD Foundation and the Wilderness Action Group – both organisations founded on Dr Player’s extraordinary dedication to the wildernesses of Southern Africa.
In the 1960s there was an estimated 650 white rhinos in Africa; by 2010 the population numbered 18 800. Dr Player initiated and led Operation Rhino along with his right-hand man, friend and brother, Magquba Ntombela. Together they helped save this iconic animal from extinction. It is because of Dr Ian Player that there are still rhinos around for us to save. Let us not let him down!
It is extremely sad that such a tower of strength and purpose has left our conservation community. But there is consolation in the fact that his inspiring example and extraordinary legacy remain with us as a guiding light for those who come next.
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