There is still an exciting opportunity to play your part in conserving Zimbabwe’s wildlife by supporting the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit’s (VFAPU) annual fundraising Golf Day to be held in Harare on September 21.
While the field is filling fast, there is still space for more teams to enter, as well as for businesses or individuals to sponsor greens, tee-boxes and prizes in the event organised and sponsored by hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism.
VFAPU head of operations Charles Brightman said the $24,972 raised at Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club event last year was vital in ensuring its operations against all forms of poaching in the Victoria Falls region could continue.
“Our supported operations last year produced positive results, where a total of 245 poachers were apprehended, and we were able to save a buffalo, a giraffe and several warthogs injured by poaching activities,” Mr Brightman said.
“VFAPU was also instrumental in saving a pangolin from poachers, which was rescued after an under-cover operation,” he added.
During 2017, VFAPU also removed a total of 388 wires snares from the bush surrounding Victoria Falls, he said.
“The annual VFAPU Golf Day is such an important event, providing necessary funds and support for the unit, and we look forward to seeing all the teams on the course soon.”
Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) chief executive Ross Kennedy said: “VFAPU has always been a major part of our corporate social responsibility program and we continue to support it nearly 20 years later.”
It is significant that every cent raised through the Golf Day goes directly to VFAPU, and in the last six years alone $115,000 has been raised for the unit through this event, Mr Kennedy said.
Up to 144 players, making up 36 teams, participate in the VFAPU Golf Day, one of the most enjoyable and best organised events on the golf fundraising calendar, which will also include lunch, entertainment, prizes and a charity auction.
Since VFAPU was established in 1999, the unit has arrested 734 hardened poachers, removed more than 22 300 wire snares and 224 mammals injured by snares have been treated and released back into the wild.
VFAPU, which works in support of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, operates in a 50kmsq area around Victoria Falls, and has 17 scouts patrolling seven days a week.
