Zimbabwean soldiers involved in wildlife poaching
This press release from the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force:
Conservancy animals shot
On Friday, 25th July, a Zimbabwean Air Force helicopter marked with a red cross was seen hovering around Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy and shots were heard.
The following day, the helicopter returned and a kudu bull was shot. When the conservator arrived at the scene of the shooting, a soldier dressed in army uniform and carrying an AK rifle was seen running from the dead bull towards the helicopter which uplifted him and flew off.
The helicopter returned again on Sunday 27th July and shots were heard but no landing took place. The matter was reported to the Police, National Parks and the Gweru Air Force. National Parks reacted immediately.
Yesterday, Saturday 2nd August, the helicopter returned and landed in a nearby National Parks area. The occupants of the helicopter sent a request by radio for the conservator to come and meet them, which he did. They tried to frog-march him to the helicopter but he told them to release him which they did as there were Police and National Parks personnel in the area. After a discussion about the shooting that had taken place the week before, they asked the conservator not to report the matter but he replied that he had already done so. They asked to speak to him in private and he refused. The names of the 3 helicopter occupants have been given to National Parks Headquarters.
Imire rhino poachers caught
Last year we circulated a report about 3 black rhinos which were shot at Imire Safari Ranch. (Blogged by Sokwanele here). We now have pleasure in announcing that 4 men have been arrested and have been sentenced to 28 years in prison.
The men are soldiers in the Zimbabwean army and were responsible for the deaths of 17 rhino this year, including the 3 that were shot recently at Chivero National Park. Two Chinese men were allegedly behind the poaching, one of whom immediately flew back to China upon the arrest of the poachers. The other one has disappeared.
