VFAPU - News Update

Dear Supporters

It is time once again to update you all with some of news from the unit, during our operations in and around the Victoria Falls region. Since our last update in January 2004, numerous events have taken place. Since January 2004 to present:

134 snares removed from our operational area
9 mammal poachers apprehended
5 ivory dealers arrested
Many wood poachers apprehended or arrested
4 snared antelope darted and treated

Anti-poaching activity

Since January 2004 to p Snares removed from protected areas resent, VFAPU has discovered and removed 134 snares from our operational area, making the total amount of snares found since the unit was established six years ago to 11,254.

Whilst we realise that can never stop snaring (as you read this, there is someone out there laying a snare), one has to think of what mammals have potentially been saved due to the removal of those traps.

So far this year, VFAPU has apprehended a further 9 mammal poachers, all caught red-handed with snares and/or game meat in their possession, whilst they were inside state protected areas. This brings our total arrests of mammal poachers to 151.

One of these nine men was the renowned golf course poacher, who we had been after for quite some time. It took some excellent tracking by one scout, Lovemore Ncube, to lead us right to this man's house where it was discovered that he had a full scale butchery in operation, with a choice of several smoked meats on offer. After his prosecution, this man has now left the area.

During our "special ops", VFAPU scouts were able to go under-cover and expose illegal ivory dealers. On three separate occasions we recovered a number of tusks and arrested 5 dealers. These men and one lady were handed over to the appropriate authorities and were each sentenced to a $200 000 fine or nine months in jail. We have records of where these people live and we continue to monitor their movements, should they attempt any further sales.

Another man was arrested for being in possession and attempting to sell five unauthorised zebra skins. His court case is pending.

Dozens of people have been arrested for chopping wood for fuel and this continues to be a major problem as we seek alternative sources of wood for this type of poacher. Savanna Wood offered their off-cuts for free to the communities and this definitely made a huge impact on wood poaching incidences, as cases recorded dropped dramatically. VFAPU continues to arrest and prosecute all those wood poachers found in the National Park hacking hardwoods down, in order to produce curios.

Working with the police

VFAPU and the, newly formed, Tourism Police join forces regularly in areas where our respective operations overlap. Illegal quarry for building supplies

On the 1st April, we were able to put together a combined force of twenty men (four on horseback) and set about arresting illegal curio vendors hiding out in the bush. Some of these vendors, whilst waiting to pounce out at any tourist that happens to pass by, set snares in the bush after previously witnessing what game is on offer. Thirty arrests were made that day.

These combined operations continue. . .

VFAPU has been instructed by the Natural Resources Board to put a stop to the removal of stones to be used in building operations. These quarries have sprung up in many "game corridor" areas and are causing environmental damage.

Assisting wildlife

Sadly since January, the community of Victoria Falls has lost a further 3 waterbuck, 7 impala, 6 warthog and 1 four meter python to poaching. Theses animals were found within a radius of three kilometres from the centre of Victoria Falls town. On the brighter side, with the help of volunteers and the National Parks and Wildlife Authority, VFAPU was successful in darting and treating a further 2 impala, 1 waterbuck and 1 kudu. These four mammals all had snares around their necks, which had obviously broken during the antelopes' struggle to free themselves.

We darted an additional female kudu, which was knocked down by a speeding vehicle, as she was crossing Parkway Drive. We did what we could as far as treatment goes and have only seen her once since then.

Acknowledgements

VFAPU scouts with unit Land Rover At this stage, I must bring praise to all of the thirteen scouts who are currently with VFAPU. These men work under hard and trying conditions for minimal wages. They are under potential risk of harm as they go about heir duties. Mr Lovemore Ncube was recently attacked by a poacher and had to receive quite a number of stitches on his head, after being bashed with a rock.

Praise must also go to ALL of the Victoria Falls Anti Poaching Unit’s donors and supporters who are all vital to our existence. Without your help our conservation work would not be possible.

Please continue to assist as much as you can and feel free to contact me should you have any suggestions, ideas or even voluntary work to offer. Thank you.

Yours in conservation,

Charles Brightman - Operations Coordinator (Voluntary)

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