JULY 2019
NEWSLETTER
By Trevor Lane
|
|
Bhejane Trust offers their congratulations to Amos Gwema, the Senior Parks Investigations Officer based in Hwange, for his Special Award for Endangered Species Conservation in South Africa, at the annual Game Rangers Africa Association gala dinner. We are grateful that his exceptional efforts have been recognised, as Amos has been in the forefront of the poaching war in Matabeleland. Well done, Amos!!
However, I was extremely disappointed that Nicholas Duncan of SAVE The African Rhino only got runner up in the category of "Those who have Supported Rhino Conservation". Nicholas has dedicated over 30 years of his life to raising money for rhino conservation, having raised millions. His dedication has been exceptional, often not recognised, but Zimbabwe and the rhino owe Nicholas a massive and appreciative "Thanks". Long may he continue with his fine efforts!!
|
|
|
Noeleen Bristow at Noeleen's Pan - named in her honour! Her husband Mark has been a vital supporter of our Rhino Monitoring and Protection Unit, and has supported out game water program. We are very grateful for his support and were chuffed to be able to show Noeleen her pan! Mark also paid for the new fan for the motorised grader so we could get it running again for our road program.
|
|
|
Trench digging for the new pipeline we put in at Masuma dam. Thanks to Glynn Burger and to John Gillon of the Hwange Conservation Society for picking up the cost of the excavator.
|
|
|
Lake Kariba near Charara!!
|
|
|
A controled burning program in the Chamabonda, to get rid of dead materiel and bring on a green bite, reinvigorating the vlei. After the drought the grass was so thin it did not even burn properly.
|
|
|
Hyena and Serval in the Chamabonda
|
|
|
The Village Drill - trying to drill a new borehole at Andre's Pan - the elephant pressure is huge so we need to increase the amount of available water, plus we plan to put in a drinking trough. The Village Drill is a new concept of a man powered hydraulic drill - the concept is great in the right soils but unfortunately failed here due to the hard basaltic rock strata. Thanks to Debbie Gracey for her efforts.
|
|
|
Scenes from Kazuma - we had Roan, Sable, Zebra, Wildebeest and tsessebe all together on the vast depression. The Corner Pan is dropping from the amount of game drinking there. Encouragingly, there were elephant back on the White Grass for the first time this year although they wee young bulls only - no sign of the big bulls!
|
|
|
With our game water program now on a care and maintenance basis, Onias, our man in the field, has concentrated more on helping Parks on area maintenance and anti-poaching. We have jointly embarked on a patrol system, nicknamed "Vuks-Lala" , which is a mobile vehicle patrol for four or five days along the Botswana border, to counteract the poaching threat in this area.
|
|
|
Elephants at Mahoboti - one of our newly re-equipped pans. Water had not been pumped here for over 30 years, but we installed a solar system thanks to a WWF donation, and water flows again..
|
|
|
SINAMATELLA
Report by Stephen Long
|
|
Game water.
I'm not at all sure how to proceed with this section of the newsletter. On the one hand the news is mostly good - pumps are running, natural water still remains in places and elephant numbers are about normal. On the other hand, there are signs that there are very difficult times ahead - water levels falling, buffalo herds building up fast and large numbers of elephants apparently lurking on our borders like an invading army waiting to strike. Let's start with the good news......
The new water-point at Tshontanda vlei has already attracted good numbers of animals and the water level in the 'pan' has risen well. We visited on the 17th and saw kudu, warthog and elephant. The water in the pan was very muddy as it had obviously been used by the elephants as much for bathing as it had for drinking. That's not all bad - the animals may not particularly like muddy water but it will keep them alive through to the rains, and that is the aim of the exercise.
|
|
Mafa's Pan, which I mentioned in the last newsletter as having been re-started in June, actually only started properly in mid-July, thanks to two days of work by our July volunteer group. On the first day we made permanent joins to the power cable, built a brick 'box' around the well-head, organised a parking area for visitors and put up a temporary sign - then returned the next day to 'fish' the rising main out of the borehole and re-connect it when it fell in due to the water pressure (not our fault but a faulty connector). The Pan holds water very well and has started filling nicely but so far not many animals have found it.
|
|
With Mafa's and Tshontanda running and the solar pump at Tshompani in action for the first time in a while, we have all but one of our pumps running. 'Patrick's Pump' at Shumba is the only exception as it has a fault with the inverter but that will soon be solved and meanwhile the 'Hide Pump' is keeping Shumba Pan full.
And now the not-so-good news......
Whilst elephant numbers are generally around normal, some of the waterpoints have come under heavy pressure and are not looking good. Gurangwenya is disappointingly low, Baobab pump is working well above its average flow rate but the pan is only just holding its level and, most worrying of all, Masuma, with over 60,000 litres per day flowing in from the two pumps, is dropping fast due to the many elephants and unusual numbers of buffalo using it. .
|
|
Meanwhile, the story is similar with the natural water. Pans in the Shumba area are still good thanks to heavy, late rains and the same applies to the Tshompani/Tendele area but some of the usually reliable pools along the Mbala/Sinamatella river have dried up and a lot of the Lukosi River 'elephant wells' are also dry. I have heard from several people who have visited natural waterpoints and pan lines to the south of Sinamatella sector that many places are already dry and those that still have water are inundated with elephants. We can expect a lot of those elephants to come our way in the near future.......
Wildlife.
July is waterfowl-count month. Along with our July volunteer group and with help from guides at Camp Hwange, we counted at Mandavu, Masuma and the various Shumba Pans. Mandavu is always a superb birding venue and it kept us busy, with 186 birds of 22 species. Much to my surprise though, the two sites on Camp Hwange's concession, Reedbuck Vlei and Big Shumba, easily held more birds than all the other counted sites between them. There were 328 birds at Reedbuck Vlei and 155 at Big Shumba, 277 of these being Spurwing. It must be quite a sight - and not an easy count.
The waterbird counts brought one of the more memorable other sightings of the month. We stopped to count at Elephant Pan, which was almost dry. There were only a few water birds in residence so my attention quickly wandered and, looking out of the side window of the car, I saw (I thought) a White Rhino spoor a few meters away. That would have been very exciting so I got out and went to look. It was soon clear that the spoor was in fact from a hippo but it was also clear, when I heard the low, ugly growl, that I should have looked around first, and then I would have seen the mating pair of lions lying under a scrub Mopane, no more than fifteen meters away.
|
|
I turned slowly to return to the car then Sue's warning shout told me I was going to have to hurry. The male lion charged but I covered the few meters back to the car at a speed that would have won me a gold medal under other circumstance and I was back in the driver's seat with the door closed long before there was any real danger. It was though, a lesson re-learnt - always look around before you get out of the car - and preferably don't get out at all. Oh, and the total bird count at Elephant Pan was three Blacksmith Lapwings.
In June I mentioned that our giraffe population survey hadn't progressed far because we had seen very few giraffe. Well July certainly made up for that and at the time of writing this, we still haven't dealt with all the giraffe photos taken in the month. The original aim of the project was to get an idea of the size of Sinamatella's giraffe population and we are reaching the point where we think we have a pretty good idea of that. Along the way, the project has thrown up a number of questions about our giraffe and one interesting aspect of them is their movements. In July we saw male M4 for the tenth time in two years. He was last seen in May 2018, as far away as Dolilo in Robins sector so he has quite a large home range. M7 is similar, having been seen twelve times in places as far apart as Chawato, north of the Smiths Mine Hills and Kaputhi River, close to Sinamatella on the southern side of the hills. On the other hand we have individuals like M38 who we have seen ten times, always within the immediate Sinamatella area. Why some of them are wanderers and others are stay-at-homes is a question I'd love to answer but, as usual, the giraffe themselves are saying nothing.
Miscellaneous.
July was (to my mind anyway), exceptionally cold. Camping at Chamabonda in Zambezi National Park, we found one morning that water left out overnight had frozen. Even with two sleeping bags and a tent for protection, so had I. A bonus from the low temperatures was that the mopane at Sinamatella developed some beautiful 'autumn' colours, which Sue, of course, couldn't help photographing....
|
|
One of our greatest problems through the month was, as it surely was for most Zimbabweans, the shortage of fuel. Travelling around the Park to visit our many pumps and to deploy anti-poaching teams as well as essential trips into Hwange for supplies, patrol rations, vehicle spares etc uses up a lot of fuel. There were times when our fuel stocks were down to 20 litres or so and we had to stop any vehicle movements until we could get more. With help from Parks, who put diesel into our vehicles for trips made at their request, Makomo Resources who donated 100 desperately needed litres and the resourcefulness of Nick and Tshuma who found diesel in Hwange when it seemed there was not a drop available, we survived to month end. August promises to be a similar struggle.
On a lighter note, an update on our semi-tame Red-billed Hornbills affectionately known as “Dumb and Dumber”. These two started prospecting for nest sites back in January and soon settled for a custom-built nest-box that we put up in a large Mopane close to the house. They became extremely territorial and chased off any other hornbills that encroached. When there were no real hornbills to chase they whiled away time by attacking their own reflections in car mirrors, windscreens and the windows of the house. At regular intervals they flew together to the nest box, exchanged tit-bits of food and called in unison while bobbing up and down in normal hornbill fashion - but that is as far as their breeding behaviour went. Six months later they are still doing it, in spite of the fact that the breeding season ended long ago and the other hornbills have gathered in their usual winter flocks. We concluded that one of them is sterile and the hormonal changes that should trigger nest-building and egg-laying have never taken place. However, discussing the hornbills one evening over dinner with Morgan and Rob, visiting us on behalf of Conservation Travel Africa, we developed an interesting new theory. Morgan suggested that Dumb and Dumber might in fact be the ultimate in modern relationships - Mr Dumb and his partner Mr Dumber. We laughed, but then on reflection we remembered reading about supposed single-sex relationships in other animals and we couldn't wait for the morning to look carefully. I'd love to report that we could see no difference between the two hornbills but in fact they are clearly just a male and a female and our original conclusion holds - plus the possibility that all that smashing their heads on wing mirrors has damaged them enough for them to forget what they are supposed to be doing.
|
|
|
RHINO MONITORING & PROTECTION UNIT
|
|
Our Unit is performing well, and we are starting to collect a sizeable data base on the remaining Black Rhino in Sinamatella. We have been pleasantly surprised to find more rhino than we thought. However, we need to work with Parks to upgrade our protection of these animals. Our unit is also proving to be a very effective anti-poaching team, having uncovered the illegal fishing along the Deka, the illegal charcoal business on the Park boundary, and uplifting snare lines.
Our thanks to Sarah Craig for voluntarily putting together a rhino ID card to issue to guides who come across rhino, to add to our data base.
We have also been undertaking a training program for Sinamatella rangers on the SMART tracking system, which they will start to utilise on their patrols.
|
|
|
As the bush dries up and the economic situation deteriorates, we are experiencing the expected upsurge in poaching, both commercial and subsistence.
Austen Sibanda - the poaching kingpin from Dete, who was arrested last year with his six accomplices - all got 9 year jail sentences. They were implicated in the poaching of elephant in Hwange National Park, and their arrest saw an immediate drop in poaching. Sibanda has been behind the poaching for many years, and on previous arrests had managed to escape conviction.
There was an incident in June in the Bubye Conservancy where the anti-poaching team located spoor of rhino poachers and following up. Three poachers were spotted and they fled, crossing out the fence onto the Beitbridge - Bulawayo road where they were picked up by a car - the Bubye team also secured a vehicle and a pursuit ensured. The poachers vehicle hit a goat and crashed - two poachers were shot as they tried to flee the scene, and another two injured in the accident detained and transferred to hospital. Two of the poachers had already been convicted of rhino poaching and were on bail ( with sentences of 18 years and 19 years) pending appeal!! A serious flaw in the legal system!
In another incident in the Bubye Valley Conservancy, scouts and National Parks rangers had a contact and killed three rhino poachers, recovering a 30.06 rifle with a silencer and scope, and various kit items. It seems two of the poachers had previously worked there. This brings the total this year for Bubye of 6 poachers killed, one paralysed, one arrested, four rifles recovered and one car written off in a high speed chase! Unfortunately some rhino have been poached. Bubye Valley has the largest concentration of rhino in Zimbabwe, and they have recently overhauled their anti-poaching operations- the results are showing. Great work done by all involved!!
The seven Chinese arrested for rhino horn possession in Victoria Falls are still on bail, awaiting trial.
Rangers in Sinamatella had a contact with poachers near Inyantue and recovered an ancient .375 rifle tied together with wire! It had fired one shot ( which lead to the rangers finding them) and then jammed. Arrests are expected.
Two persons - a South African and a Zimbabwean - arrested in Harare for possession of rhino horn - 4 horns recovered believed to be from South Africa. The South African involved has a very dodgy record, but will have plenty time to reflect on it all now!.
Seven elephant found dead in the Dzivanini area of Hwange - the tusks still there, though the carcasses were over two weeks old. Suspected poisoning but still to be confirmed.
One small gang of poachers in Hwange were found with 8 tusks and 3 kg of cyanide are awaiting trail, as is a poacher found with a live pangolin.
Parks raided Tsholotsho Communal Area along the Hwange Park boundary and arrested several small scale poachers with bush meat - most were given fines and light sentences
As reported in our September 2018 newsletter, a group of locals on a walk in the Zambezi National Park encountered a Zambian poaching - he had been shooting at an elephant before we came across him. He took a shot at us but one of the group shot him in the leg above the knee with a heavy rifle, shattering the bone After a prolonged spell in hospital he finally appeared before a magistrate in Victoria Falls facing immigration, illegal weapon and illegal hunting charges, and was found guilty on all - he received a very lenient conviction of 8 months in all, suspended and was deported to Zambia. However, we know he will never return to any poaching activities, and will be a visual reminder to Zambians of the perils of poaching in Zimbabwe.
|
|
|
From 2018 - our Zambian elephant poacher after being shot above the knee with a heavy weapon. He has been repatriated to Zambia. His poaching career is finished though!!
|
|
|
A young male lion snared in the Zambezi National Park along the river by Zambians crossing over. Credit to John Laing of Imvelo Safaris who found the carcass and who continually sweeps this section of river to keep it free of snares - a continual fight!
|
|
|
We have had an amazing period of support from all our friends, new and old, out there, and we really appreciate all this support.However, we have received some donations into our account with no record of who it came from and we would like to be notified so we can at least acknowledge the support! Our heartfelt thanks to (in no particular order):
Dr Mark Bristow and Hunters and Guides for the financing of our Rhino Monitoring and Protection Unit.Mark came out and pledged assistance for a further three years!!!
Michel Buenerd of Le Pic Vert, and Le Pal Nature Foundation, for funding what will be their NINTH borehole and pump in Sinamatella!
Glynn Burger for his help.
Machaba Safaris for their donation and field assistance
Mike Thorne for his donation to the repairs of our vehicle
Ian Gloss and the Zambezi Off Road Club for their efforts!!
Patrick Jacquemin has once again risen to the fore with a great donation to help our operational costs, and to put in a new borehole and pump, which will go in early this year
Mark Unwin and the Clarkson Family Trust, for yet another generous donation.
The Muller Brothers and Master Paint & Hardware of Bulawayo for piping for Masuma dam
"Solid Performance" - Antoinette van Wijk - of Holland for a fundraiser in support of the RMPU
Andre Cilliers and Charles Painter fo donated clothing
Deb Chusid of New York for a great personal effort to raise funds to assist us - she has held a fund raiser in New York.
Piet and Anthea Erasmus
Wildlife & Environmental Society of Zimbabwe (WEZ), Mat'land Branch. Thanks to Pete Kendall, Colin Gillies, and Stuart Johnson for their continuing support.
Nicholas Duncan and the SAVE The African Rhino Foundation of Australia – a staunch supporter.
RAM Petroleum
Ricky Forster and Forster Irrigation of Bulawayo
Makomo Mine – donation of diesel
JR Goddard - donation of diesel
Dave Carson and Camp Hwange for helping fund our Sinamatella Rhino Monitoring Unit and game water supplies.
John Karasellos of Hisspan Motors for his continuing assistance and support.
Mike Karasellos for the grading the roads in the Chamabonda.
Hwange Conservation Society (UK) - John Gillon
A big thanks to Ministry and Parks Staff :
The Hon Minister - Ms Priscah Mupfumira
The Director General - Mr Fulton Mangwanya
The Chief Conservator - Mt Arthur Musakwa
The Cluster Manager (Mat North) - Matabeleland - Mr Samson Chibaya,
Area Manager - Zambezi --Mrs Constance Gurure
Area Manager, - Robins and Sinamatella - Mr Innocent Mupedze
Area Manager - Sinamatella - Mr Marvellous Mbikiyana
and all their guys on the ground for all their support and assistance.
To my wife Liz for her continual support in all my comings and goings!!
And a big thanks to the Minister of Environment, Climate and Water, Ms Priscilla Mapfumira
Apologies if we have inadvertently left anyone out!! Your help is much appreciated
|
|
|
Bhejane Trust relies on donations to continue it’s operations, which includes our daily operating costs, as well as specific projects.
PLEASE HELP!!
|
|
|
Donate to help us save our wildlife heritage - any donations would be gratefully accepted . Donations can be through our “PayNow” button on our website “bhejanetrust.org” or direct to our bank account:
Bank details :
Bhejane Trust,
FBC Bank,
Galleria Building, Parkway
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe
Branch Code : 8512
Swift Code : FBCPZWHA
Account No : 2245093780275
Bhejane Trust office address:
231 Sopers Crescent,
P.O.Box 210
Victoria Falls,
Zimbabwe
Note - we do not have postal codes in Zimbabwe (00)
|
|
CONTACT DETAILS
Trevor Lane : trevor@bhejanetrust.org +263 777 057 024
Stephen Long : stephen@bhejanetrust.org
|
|
|
|
|
