Measures taken by the government of Zimbabwe to improve the administration of hunting in the country.
Following the illegal killing of an iconic lion, Cecil, outside the Hwange National Park on Antoinette farm in Gwayi River Conservancy on the 1st of July 2015, it has become necessary that the Government of Zimbabwe further tightens hunting regulations in all areas outside the National Parks Estate.
The Government of Zimbabwe has directed Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority in conjunction with other law enforcement agencies to undertake an industry wide investigation to crack down and weed out any illegal hunting activities. The investigations have since found and arrested another culprit, Headman Sibanda, on allegations of breaching hunting regulations in that he hunted without a quota and permit at his Railway Farm 31 and is also the owner of Nyala Safaris which conducted the hunt. It has since been established that his client is also an American called Jan Casmir Sieski who was in the country in April 2015.Mr Sieski’s registered the following address on the TRAS 2, 4660 Twin Oaks Drive, Murrysville PA, 15668, Pennysyvania. Sibanda is currently assisting Police with investigations.
Contrary to media reports circulating on social network media sites and copied from Mr Johnny Rodrigues’s website alleging that another popular icon lion known as Jericho was killed. Investigations have since established that Jericho is still alive and monitored by the lion research project in Hwange National Park who confirmed sighting Jericho as at 7am on 2 August 2015.
Government, in addition to investigations has put in place the following measures with immediate effect:
1) Hunting of lions, leopards and elephants in areas outside of Hwange National Park has been suspended Government is also directing all those currently in the field to stop their hunting activities and withdraw.
2) Government is very much aware of the financial implications on the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the Safari Industry, CAMPFIRE Communities and Wildlife Producers affected by this suspension and therefore appeals for funding from the donor community and well-wishers to assist Zimbabwe Parks and Management Authority to thoroughly investigate operations of this important hunting industry. Financial resources generated will ensure that Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has sufficient capacity to monitor the activities of this important hunting industry as required by law. Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority has set up a Zimbabwe Endangered Species Fund. The account details are:
- Bank : Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Ltd
- Account Name : Parks and Wildlife Management Authority – Zimbabwe Endangered Species Fund
- Branch Name : FCDA Centre
- Branch Code : 2157
- Account Number : 1029138
- Swift Code : BARCZWHX
3) All stakeholders who include wildlife producers, professional hunters, safari operators association of Zimbabwe ,CAMPFIRE Districts, Wildlife Civic society groups and Zimbabwe Conservation Task force , are being called for an urgent meeting at Zimparks HQ AT 10:00AM on the 4th of August 2015.
Source: – www.zimparks.org
