Zimpapers Logo

The Herald, 13 September 2011
ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Minister Francis Nhema last week received equipment on behalf of the National Parks and said unlike other organisations, the Frankfurt Zoological Society has proved that it is apolitical, and strictly geared towards conservation.

The investment comes in the wake of a general decline in conservation work due to funding constraints brought about by sanctions and the activities of internationally organised poaching syndicates that have threatened biodiversity in one of the world’s largest wildlife sanctuaries over the years.

The non-governmental organisation has defied sanctions imposed by its country under the European Union and signed a 10-year deal with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, under a project called Gonarezhou Conservation Project.

The society has so far bought and handed over to National Parks a Cessna 185 aircraft worth US$100 000, a Bell Grader for US$260 000, Bell Backhoe for US$90 000, and a Mercedes Benz truck for US$90 000.

It also bought four Toyota Landcruisers for US$140 000, two tractors worth US$60 000 and a fuel storage tank for US$17 500, two trailers, fire-fighting equipment, two water bowsers and two land mowers.

In addition, the NGO provided radio communication equipment (handset and vehicle radios, batteries, radio masts, etc), for more than US$40 000.

The society has also renovated staff houses, vehicle workshop and offices at the National Park for an amount in excess of US$150 000 and bought and repaired water pumps at a cost of US$8 000.

“The Frankfurt Zoological Society has been providing financial and technical support in the management and conservation of wildlife resources in the Gonarezhou National Park since 2007”, said Minister Nhema.

“The Gonarezhou Conservation Project is a 10-year partnership between the Government of Zimbabwe represented by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society.

“It is for this reason that a project such as the Gonarezhou Conservation Project, which is a partnership between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society, is one strategy to build our capacity and capability.

“It is certainly my hope, after the project reaches its twilight period in 10 years’ time, that the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority management in Gonarezhou National Park would be able to build their own capacity in conserving the park’s biodiversity resources,” added Minister Nhema.

In an interview, Frankfurt Zoological Society project leader Mr Hugo van der Westhuizen said his organisation was not interested in taking over anything from the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

“We are apolitical, and we know that wildlife knows no sanctions. Of course, our government has questioned our motive but we convinced it that we had nothing to do with politics,” Mr van der Westhuizen said.

LESSONS FOR TODAY
Equipping wildlife rangers, deploying sniffer dogs, and training law enforcement officers will minimise wildlife crimes.

Enabling wildlife conservation-friendly community empowerment can help communities develop skills to produce affordable food, thus reducing their dependency on wildlife for food.

Public, private partnerships are key to sustainable conservation, since the field needs financial support

In Zimbabwe (and other African countries), the main impetus for the creation and maintenance of vast reserves like Gonarezhou is the revenue from tourists going on safari.

For historical information contact:
Zimpapers Knowledge Centre at Herald House on:
+263 8677 004323;
+263 0242 795771
E-mail: [email protected]