Hi again,
Herewith, some snippets from various sources. Keith Roberts letter is the kind of item we should see more of in this newsletter as is of interest to all of us. It is also good to get firsthand news of what’s happening out there in Africa!
I appeal to you to send me items to distribute to our members for both the Cleft Stick, the Game Ranger magazine and to be posted on the web site. It is your magazine and website, so ensure it gets the news that you would like to see in it.
Please let me have any changes to your physical address, phone no. or e-mail address to keep the database up to date.
Thanks to all of you who have made the effort. Please will any of you who know of members who do not get this “electric” Cleft~Stick, & have access to e-mail, pass their address along to me.
Don Yunnie
7 Chalet Drive, Hilton, 3245, South Africa Local Tel & Fax (033) 343 1534 Int. Tel & Fax (+2733) 343 1534 cell 082 377 7562 E-mail dyunnie@xsinet.co.za.
IRF Congress 2006
For reference please note the web link to information regarding Scotland 2006 is
Main page www.ranger-irfc.com/scotcover2006.htm
Information about Early Bird discounts on congress fee www.ranger-irfc.com/earlybird.htm
Information about the easy payment plan www.ranger-irfc.com/easy_pay_plan.htm
Any questions can be directed to either Tony or the congress organisors:-
congress@ranger-irfc.com
Letter from Tanzania – Keith Roberts.
All is well up in Tanzania and I have just returned from 3 weeks in the Moyowosi Game Reserve, which is divided into a number of hunting concessions, were I was evaluating the anti-poaching teams and looking at the currant threats. We assist the Wildlife Department of Tanzania with anti-poaching in a number of areas throughout Tanzania. We have had quite a few problems down there as have a number of refugee camps along the western boundary. Rwandian, Burundian and Conglese. Either they poach themselves or the local villagers poach and then sell to them.
The bushmeat trade is huge but what is frightening is the demand for baboon meat by the Congolese. One baboon goes for around $15 which is a lot of money so everyone and their dog is after baboons at the moment which will have a major effect on their populations. What is a worry is that no one seems to be monitoring the situation. We try our best through arresting the poachers but have no authority to run investigations or do follow ups outside the Reserve. That is up to the Wildlife Department. They either have lack of funds or lack of commitment.
The part of the Moyowosi we assist with is just over 12000km2 and is a Ramsar site. It is miombo forest, grasslands and extensive Papyrus swamps. The Miombo doesn’t support a high diversity of game or bird life but the swamps and grasslands are abundant especially with bird life. The area used to support large herds of buffalo but due to poaching pressure we only find herds of 80 to 300 now. It is a very important area for Sititunga and they thrive out in the swamp, unfortunately they are becoming a target for poachers as well who paddle out and set up camps on little islands (termite mounds). They burn large areas when it is dry season and then when the flush attracts the Sititunga it is a field day for them.
When I was down there I took 5 of my staff and one wildlife Department Scout (he has powers of arrest we don’t) trained them in the use of canoes and with myself set off armed with a GPS, a .458, a .308 and a couple of pangas. We had to try and find a way through the swamp into a large body of water in the middle, which I had seen from the plane. The poachers camps were located in this area. It was an amazing trip and the GPS very handy in our return. I doubt any White man went were we went …saying that they were some very adventurous Germans in the 1800’s.
The bird life was unbelievable with many sightings of Open billed Storks, Shoebills and many of the herons. Very little in the way of bird surveys have be done any were near here so a lot of opportunities. The operation was a success and we snuck up on 4 shelters (been used for at least the last 5 years) and arrested 9 poachers for fish and meat poaching. It did wonders for the moral of the team after all the hard work and mosquitoes they put up with. We commandeered 4 dugouts to help move the poachers back to dry ground, which was a long paddle away.
I will be heading back there soon as I believe we have only touched the tip of the iceberg. While out there over the 3 week period we managed to apprehend 33 poachers in total, 3 of whom were after elephant and were armed with large caliber rifles. It was a good training opportunity for the teams and gave me a chance to evaluate their effectiveness. Up until now, very little training had been done and they haven’t been every effective.
We are in the process of looking at employing another 40 to 50 rangers for this area as at the moment the area only has 16 personnel and 4 Land cruisers. It will be great for the surrounding communities as very little in the way of employment is available otherwise and will be of huge benefit to the Wildlife Department as they are severely understaffed themselves and rely on external funding or assistance with staff and training. Basically our staff fall under the authority of the Project Manager (Reserve Warden) and we then liaise with him.
I have just been given an assistant to help me as I have the office to run as well as all the anti-poaching and training to do. This will allow me to get out to all our other areas. I will write in about each area as I visit and you can then copy extracts for the Cleft stick. It was good to see Wayne Lotter up here about a month ago.
Cheers
Keith.
THE ZIMBABWE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION Explicit objection to the proposed "Chirundu Project"
This communiqué serves as the First Phase of bringing to your attention, that the Zimbabwe Conservation Development Foundation (ZCDF), is privileged to have received substantiated information, that a structured group made up of farmers, business persons, companies and other independent stakeholders, have moved comprehensively towards launching Stage 1 of a 120,000 hectare agricultural development in the proclaimed Urungwe, Chewore and Sapi Safari Areas and the Mana Pools National Park bordering the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe.
The immense proposed development, which is due to be launched on the 1st November 2005, purportedly with the approval of a senior government executive, whilst being treated with intense confidentiality, is profoundly distressing, in that the full extent of the project is destined to invade not only the natural and pristine Urungwe Safari Area, but a vast tract of land from Urungwe’s western boundary, across Mana Pools National Park, the Sapi Safari Area, to the Chewore Safari Areas’ eastern boundary, and ostensibly measuring plus 100 kilometres long and ten kilometres wide, with the Zambezi River as its northern boundary. This equates to 1,000 square kilometres, or 100,000 hectares.
The central component to the objection being registered, is that Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas were ratified as a World Heritage Site in 1984, Reference: 302, by the Convention concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritages.
The summary prepared by the IUCN (March 1984) based on the original nomination submitted by Zimbabwe, states that the area in question is under public ownership and protected by the Parks and Wildlife Act of 1975, and is managed by the Department of National Parks and Wild Life Management, and took into account, the contiguous status of Urungwe in the east and Dande in the west being proclaimed Safari Areas that afforded Mana Pools National Park and adjacent areas an auxiliary field of protection.
The areas under threat by the proposed Chirundu Project, constitute a total of 6,766 square kilometres and embrace the Miombo woodland/savannah bio-geographical provinces, all fronted on the lower Zambezi River and contains the last remaining natural stretch of the Middle Zambezi.
In the First Phase of information presented to the ZCDF, it is revealed that in excess of US$30 million worth of agricultural equipment in the form of extensive irrigation equipment, earthmoving machinery and heavy duty transport is in the final stages of being ordered. The contract for the construction of 600 low-cost houses in the area has already been awarded. Each phase of the Chirundu Project will be fenced-off from surrounding areas, effectively dissecting proclaimed natural areas.
The proposed Project, which includes the commercial growing of four main crops, cannot be permitted in any of these projected areas. The increased human and vehicular traffic, air, soil, water and waste pollution effects will be catastrophic to this highly sensitive region, which is already under severe threat by extensive poaching of fauna and flora, as well as by poor covenants of wildlife and habitat management practices.
The consequences of commercial agriculture in the region will be dire for well-developed communities of a diversity of trees and woodlands. Threat levels to a vast array of fauna will accelerate in the short term. Seasonal occurrences of larger mammals within the valley are of great inter and intra-species ecological value. The balances of these sensitivities will most certainly be disturbed in the immediate term.
A unique collection of Avifauna of over 380 species will come under severe threat, as will all common Zambezi River fish as an accessible protein and trading food through netting and other forms of illegal fishing. Valuable tourism will undoubtedly be negatively affected, as currently, these areas are internationally renowned and popular for their isolation and lack of commercial development, but mainly for its natural wildlife, habitat and environmental attractions. The exceptional natural magnificence of animals in the diverse woodlands parallel with the broader Zambezi River banks and flood plains, constitutes one of Africa's most outstanding wildlife spectacles, second only to perhaps the Ngorongoro National Park, but will be severely disturbed and preyed upon by poaching.
The geology of the entire region ranges from the recent river alluvia of the extensive valley floor to the ancient gneiss and para-gneiss overlaid by lithosols of the basement complex. Intermittent protrusions of basalt rock beds, accompanied by dominant overburdens of Kalahari Sand complexes, clearly make the area unsuitable for commercial agriculture.
It could be argued that sustained agriculture in this specific instance, might be defined to mean a farming practice that has a site-specific application, that apart from anticipated food production, should in the immediate term, a) enhance environmental quality and the natural resources upon which this project’s agricultural success will depend and b) make the most efficient use of integrated natural biological cycles and control resources. However, it is common fact that under current holistically unsuccessful farming processes in Zimbabwe, neither the environment nor the natural resources of the area will be enhanced, and efficient use of natural biological cycles and necessary controls will certainly be compromised by known ambiguous management techniques.
Due to the low sandy soil values over much of the area, the Chirundu Project will inevitably have to apply vast amounts of fertilisers to enhance yields to viable levels, as well as administer subterranean and open-air dispersed pest control chemicals, both of which would inescapably contaminate surrounding areas, and hence, negatively impact on neighbouring natural biodiversities.
The proposed project by virtue of irrigated lands, would require massive areas (up to 120,000 hectares) to be cleared, tilled and cultivated, together with an extensive network of basic service roads. Owing to the soil structures and composition, comprehensive sheet and gully erosion is certain to occur during the rainfall seasons, compounded by storm-water run-off carrying insecticides and other obnoxious agricultural chemicals and heavy machinery fuels, oils and greases spillage directly into small streams, secondary rivers and ultimately into the Zambezi River. The harmful consequences of this in the medium and longer term will undoubtedly be catastrophic.
It is highly improbable that the proposed 600 low-cost housing units will be electrified, indicating that heating for cooking purposes will be derived from wood-burning, which in turn will be generated from wood collected in surrounding areas and external to the confines of the project. It furthermore suggests that trees will be injudiciously hacked down for this purpose when supplies of close-proximity dry wood are depleted. Smoke generation from 600 wood-burning facilities will extensively pollute the air of the Zambezi Valley. This cannot be permitted to happen.
Through the inevitable process of wood collecting, local inhabitants will resort to poaching of various callous means to supplement diets, if not to take advantage of commercial poaching prospects along the potentially lucrative main Zimbabwe/Zambia highway. These barbaric practices are already and completely out of control in Zimbabwe and the proposed development will merely augment large scale poaching. Again, this predictable threat cannot be ignored.
The area forms a large conservation unit for most spontaneously functioning ecological processes and are protected by natural barriers from encroachment and alternative land-use. This pertains to the Zambezi River in the north, the mountainous escarpment in the south, with the strong prevalence of tropical diseases such as tripanosomosiasis (sleeping sickness), malaria and bilharzia. These occurrences result in the area being unsuitable for human habitation and domestic livestock, which will undeniably arise out of commercialising the area. Thus the reasons to prevent development, go well beyond that of just the threat to the natural bio-diversities of the region.
According to documents submitted to the ZCDF, the specifications on pumping requirements for the Chirundu Project’s irrigation needs, clearly indicates pumping of massive volumes of water from the Zambezi River over extensive distances. It is highly unlikely that permission has been secured from the tri-lateral accord on the Zambezi River water usage that exists between Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It is furthermore unlikely, that any agreement between the projects developer’s and Zimbabwe’s water-management authorities has been conducted transparently, as this forms an integral component of the non-existent Environmental Impact Assessment, which the Department of Natural Resources has not received nor has it invited a proposal for one.
The Second Phase of this communiqué will reveal to the ZCDF in the very near future, further detailed information pertaining to the Chirundu Project’s exact surveyed areas of proposed development, as well as the identities of the principle developers and an array of suppliers.
As a result of substantiated information provided to date, and given that no known key stakeholders nor interested persons or groups have been consulted on the matter, the ZCDF is hereby lodging a rigorous objection to the pending Chirundu Project, and issues an urgent appeal to all local, regional and international role players active in defending natural heritages, in this case, a World Heritage Site and contiguous protected areas, to earnestly call upon the Government of Zimbabwe and the projects developers, to cease with the project or any portion thereof, forthwith.
The ZCDF extends an invitation to all concerned individuals, organisations, institutions, foundations, trusts, regional authorities and international governments to endorse this appeal by responding in writing to the ZCDF to the undermentioned addresses, stating support for the organisation’s position on the proposed Chirundu Project.
Thank you,
Johnny Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer, Zimbabwe Conservation and Development Foundation
Dr John Fulton, Chairman, Zimbabwe Conservation and Development Foundation
P O Box MP, Mount Pleasant, Harare Zimbabwe
Fax : 263 4 339065, Mobile : 263 11 603 213 or 091 234 349.
11th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment, South African Affiliate
29 – 31 August 2005
Legislating for Sustainability
Call for Papers Thaba’Nchu Sun, Free State Province
The theme of the 2005 IAIAsa conference
The birth of South Africa’s democracy a decade ago heralded a period of legislative transformation which brought immense development to the field of impact assessment. The environmental, heritage and planning legislation is being challenged to evolve in a manner which can support sustainable development in South Africa, whilst protecting constitutional imperatives. In the early 2000s, acknowledgement of the shortcomings of the existing legal structure, and the need to co-ordinate environmental legislation, catapulted us into a new and ongoing law reform process. There is a growing body of experience and case law that assists us in interpreting current legislation and prepares us for debates regarding new legislation. This evolving legal milieu is the foundation upon which our work in the impact assessment field is built, and working closely with government and sharing our understanding and insights, and engaging in debate regarding reforms, is the key to our future.
Sub-themes
Anyone interested contact me & I will forward the entire document to you - ed
Worth watching for - Mars Spectacular!
The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.
The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be ( next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest 75-power magnification
Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10 p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.
By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history. So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressively brighter and brighter throughout the month .
Elton le Roux. Has sent me some interesting info from the fifth world herpetological congress held between the 19-24 June 2005 at Stellenbosch. It is a large document (10 pages) International Herps Congress.doc;XXXHERPS CONGRESS STORY. There are some very interesting topics for managers to consider. If anyone wants it I will forward it to them. - ed.
Wildlife Management Association
Tommie Steyn has sent in this request / suggestion. Will members who are keen let Tommy know. He can be contacted at tommie@intekom.co.za
I am a member of the Wildlife Management Association as well and recently at an AGM requested that the possibility to make the journal available (at a cost obviously) be explored. A very positive reaction was received from the members.
The next step will be to determine if the GRA members will be interested. The advantages as I see it is as follows. GRA members get access to a scientific journal focusing on wildlife (hard copies and electronically) with out the membership expenses and hopefully at the same price as SAWMA members. SAWMA on the other hand can almost double their circulation figures. Should this suggestion receive support I would gladly take it up with the Scientific Editor of the journal.
Regards Tommie Steyn
Lydenburg.
Tailpiece-
Men Are Just Happier People--
What do you expect from such simple creatures?
Your last name stays put.
The garage is all yours.
Wedding plans take care of themselves.
Chocolate is just another snack.
You can be President.
You can never be pregnant.
You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park.
You can wear NO shirt to a water park.
Car Mechanics tell you the truth.
The world is your urinal.
You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky.
You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
Same work, more pay.
Wrinkles add character.
Wedding dress $5000. Tux rental-$100.
People never stare at your chest when you are talking to them.
The occasional well-rendered belch is practically expected.
New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
One mood, all the time.
Phone conservations are over in 30 seconds flat.
A 5 day vacation requires only one suitcase.
You can open all of your own jars.
You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.
Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack.
Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
You almost never have strap problems in public.
You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes.
Everything on your face stays its original color.
The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe even decades.
You only have to shave your face and neck.
You can play with toys all your life.
Your belly usually hides your big hips.
One wallet and one pair of shoes one color for all seasons.
You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look.
You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.
You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.
No wonder men are happier.
Matter of Fact
This is an electronic newsletter of the Game Rangers' Association of Africa. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Association, nor of the Editor. This is intended to be an exchange of news snips, ideas and communication between members. Newsletter content may be copied and re-distributed without authorisation. Correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at dyunnie@xsinet.co.za
