Testament to catastrophic drought conditions, the bulk of the elephant have already migrated towards the northern areas of Hwange National Park and buffalo are congregating into large herds far earlier than usual, the sure sign of a tough season ahead. Most of the natural pans have dried up while vegetation is generally sparse or non-existent.
Game Water
Water provision for wildlife is fundamental to our work and this year will be particularly critical as we strive to alleviate the unfolding crisis. Elephant pressure during the dry months in Hwange is always extreme, and this year is escalating rapidly with an influx of animals from neighbouring territories pouring into the Park searching for food and water.
To that end we have identified seven key pans for installation of battery systems to augment water supplies, but substantial funding is urgently required to achieve this in time to alleviate the crisis. The opportunity afforded elephants to drink at night when it’s cool is of great benefit to them and relieves pressure on the pans during the day allowing smaller creatures access to water. Aiding this are the troughs that have been refurbished at many pans drawing elephants to the source of the cool, clean water they crave.
A desperate situation is looming as regards animal losses this year. Elephant numbers in Hwange have increased substantially over the past few decades mainly due to the availability of pumped water and adequate vegetation as a result of normal rainfall. However, these numbers are not sustainable under the severe drought conditions we are facing. The lack of adequate fodder coupled with extreme late season heat could herald a disaster of epic proportions. Whilst we can’t do much about the heat, nor supply extra food, we can act to supply more water in efforts to mitigate animal suffering. Funding assistance for this is urgently required.
Fireguards
There has been some confusion regarding the burning of fireguards this year. Harrowing the firebreaks was completed months ago, and when we finally received permission from the ZimParks for control burning, the teams were advised to stop before completion in an effort to preserve all available vegetation as a food source for game. Therefore, the fire management program within the Park this year has not been adequately addressed which unfortunately poses some risk. The FOH teams have already been called upon to fight a fire that started outside Dete town earlier this month. With some intervention, and with little vegetation to burn, the fire died out quite quickly. Fortunately, areas with decent browse and grazing were not affected.
Game Counts
Despite numerous delays, the FOH team together with ZimParks and various other stakeholders eventually managed to complete the early dry season road strip counts albeit a month late. The teams started at Main Camp, then proceeded to Sinamatella, Robins, Ngamo and finally the Wilderness area. Good numbers of game were noted, with an influx of animals seen moving up from the south of the Park. Ngamo is a dust bowl, and although there is reasonable cover in some places, it consists mostly of non-palatable grass species. A lot of Elephant and Buffalo were evident.
Anti-poaching
On the Anti-poaching front, the FOH scouts continue with anti-poaching patrols outside the boundary of the park. The scouts have been fully provisioned to facilitate deployments in the field. While the illegal grazing of livestock seems to have eased up in some areas, testament to maintaining a presence in the area, some wood poachers were apprehended. Snare patrols are ongoing to remove the heinous devices made of copper wire and steel cable that cause indescribable animal suffering. Animal investigations are ongoing both inside and outside the Park.
Ecotourism
The platform at Guvalala, that was in a sad state of disrepair, has been given a complete facelift. The water tank plumbing has been addressed, ablutions upgraded, the thatched roof replaced, a hot water “donkey boiler” installed, and all brickwork repaired and re-painted. A securely enclosed area has been established beneath the platform to safeguard overnight campers. Grateful thanks to Tony Wharam of Gwanda Service Builders for a job well done, and to WEZ Matabeleland for a contribution towards the costs. Similar repairs and additions to the Makwa platform are planned.
After years of loyal service, our original two trusty tractors have undergone major overhaul and refurbishment and are almost as good as new. These tractors are vital for much of our work to repair roads and to scoop pans and dams, and should afford us many more years of service.
Acknowledgments and Appreciation
We are indebted to Jason Friend, Steve Alexander and the FOH work teams for their stalwart efforts always.
In addition, the following organisations and individuals are due special mention for their crucial, unfailing support:
- The Bright Light Foundation and Hornligrat Stiftung facilitated by Frank Zindel
- The Darcy and Robert Gillespie Charity Foundation
- Michael Maltas facilitated by Empowers Africa
- Global Humane facilitated by Taryn Gillson
- Empowered by Light facilitated by Moira Hanes
- Animal Survival facilitated by Taryn Slabbert
- Saving Endangered Wildlife facilitated by Wolfgang Hennig
- Evereden Foundation facilitated by Duncan Owen and Izelle le Roux-Owen
- Diana Sutter; Prabha Sarangi; Simon Isherwood
- Biddulphs International facilitated by Andrew Gibbons
- Sawpower Harare, facilitated by Ralph and Greg Stead
- Intraf Services (Machinery Exchange) facilitated by Geoff Riley
- Fuchs Lubricants
- The Taberer family
- Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ), Matabeleland Branch
- Hwange Conservation Society, UK
- All loyal donors that send regular amounts directly or via PayPal that add up significantly
- Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), with whom we work very closely
Our most heartfelt thanks to you all.
