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Angola
On February 12th, the Angolan Press reported that “a specimen
of the extinction-feared giant sable antelope was said to have
been spotted by the provincial director of the Kuando-Kubango
Forest Development Institute, F. Dala and a Rádio Nacional de
Angola journalist at Luiana Wildlife Park in south-eastern Kuando-
Kubango province.” Dala stated that “he saw the black antelope
during an air trip over Luiana park, totally black and with curved
horns” and was seconded by the RNA journalist.
African Indaba received an email from Pedro Vaz Pinto
(Catholic University of Luanda) that there can be no question
that the animal spotted from the air was a Hippotragus n. niger or
common sable, since the observed area has always contained
this sable sub-species. Vaz Pinto’s statement was supported by a
third observer on the aircraft. This witness said “they saw a normal
sable and [he was] surprised to see the false news”.
The Giant Sable Hippotragus niger variani occurs only in Malanje
province in and around the Cangandala National Park. Vaz
Pinto and his fellow researchers are in fact trying to obtain proof
that pockets of this rare and beautiful antelope still exist in an
ongoing project funded by Shikar Club and Dallas Safari Club.
Botswana
The value of top-of-the-line concession hunts was evident
when Rann Hunting Safaris (rannsafaris@yahoo.com) offered 30-
day, lion-only safaris to Botswana for a whopping $131,975 at the
SCI Convention. The total includes $2,500 daily rate, $10,500
concession fee, a trophy fee of $20,000 and $10,000 Resource
Utilization Fee. Rann Safaris was sold out through 2006 on the
second day of the convention.
Kenya
On 26th January KWWG Trust Chairman Omara Abae Kalasingha sent an open letter
to His Excellency, the Hon. Mwai Kibaki MP, President of the Republic of Kenya,
regarding the GG Kariuki Bill (see African Indaba 3/1). For readers that wish
to receive the entire letter contact Gerhard@muskwa.co.za
for a copy. Kalasingha argues that “most Anglophone countries in Africa have
similar wildlife laws to [Kenya]. That none have such monumental problems as
we do, suggests that it is not so much the laws which are bad, as the manner
in which they are applied here. Failure to correctly interpret and enforce the
wildlife laws is rooted in the mismanagement of KWS. The present Wildlife Act
is not perfect. However, with some minor modification, which is what the GG
Kariuki Bill provides, despite its defects, it is workable and the Bill will
resolve the immediate crises.”
Mozambique
The African Wildlife Foundation and the Mozambican Ministry
of Tourism (MITUR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in
October 2004 to solidify and formalize their longstanding partnership
to improve Mozambique’s wildlife conservation. The 600,000
ha Parque Nacional de Banhine will be one of the top conservation
priorities under this partnership.
Niger
In September 2004 a team tried to inventory the Addax in the
Termit Massif and the Tin-Toumma Erg in Niger. Other species
like Scimitar-horned Oryx, Dama gazelle and Dorcas gazelle were
also targeted. Dr. H. Planton indicated to the press that a small
population of Addax estimated around a hundred was confirmed.
Wildlife numbers in Niger have diminished significantly during the
last 20 years. Scimitar-horned Oryx have very probably disappeared
from Niger; Dama gazelles are on the way to extinction;
Dorcas gazelle, the most common in Niger, has the status of “extremely
vulnerable”. Niger’s 1998 Law Nr. 98-07 regulates hunting
and the protection of wildlife; however, significant arrivals of hunters
from Arab countries and non-respect for the laws on species
hunted and hunting quotas are threatening wildlife survival.
South Africa
Land claims “could kill Kruger National Park” as African communities
dispossessed under apartheid have claimed at least a
quarter of the land in KNP, including its headquarters at Skukuza.
If all the claims were validated, they "would probably cost the park
its survival as a national park and an international icon", said SAN
Parks communications head Wanda Mkutshulwa.
Tanzania
The reform of the Tanzanian hunting industry was advertised
as the topic of a public discussion of the Wildlife Conservation
Society of Tanzania (WCST) in Arusha. This national NGO supports
sustainable use of wildlife, and the regular public lectures
normally cover all aspects of wildlife conservation in the country.
However in this case, intervention by the Chairman of Tanzanian
Hunters Association (TAHOA) and the Director of Wildlife left the
WCST Arusha branch with no choice but to call off the public discussion
at the last minute.
In a subsequent letter to all members of TAHOA, the chairman
strongly stressed how all members are satisfied with the current
hunting system in Tanzania. This is remarkable and contradicts a
"Call for Compliance" dated 20 August 2004 that was personally
signed by the Director of Wildlife. This document was sent to
every hunting operator and PH in the country, explaining the urgent
need for the law to be respected. The Director cited problems
that include "Professional Hunters failing to pay serious attention
to the law, hunting of substandard trophies, disrespect of hunting
block boundaries, wounded animals left in the field and the use of
unauthorized and unacceptable weapons." (Both letters are with
African Indaba)
Tanzania
The Society for Environmental Exploration (UK) and the University
of Dar es Salaam is currently conducting research into the
large mammal population of the Kilombero Valley. Estimates suggest
that this area contains somewhere between 70% and 75% of
the world’s remaining Puku (Kobus vardoni). The 2002 aerial survey
suggests that the population has declined by 66%. The researchers
blame the bush-meat trade and increased human settlement.
Kilombero Floodplain was one of the finest unprotected wildlife areas in Africa. (Source Gnusletter, Vol23/2)
Tanzania
Belgian Technical Cooperation plans to develop an integrated
management plan for the new Kilombero Valley RAMSAR site.
Huge numbers of livestock brought into the valley by commercial
pastoralists pose a major threat, however. Exact figures are unknown
but could be several hundred thousand cattle, particularly
in the dry season. These large numbers of livestock are displacing
Puku and other species. Buffaloes that were once estimated at
40,000 now probably do not exceed 6,000.
Uganda
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) chief Dr. Arthur Mugisha has
given notice to resign as the executive director of UWA after having
worked in the wildlife service for 16 years in different capacities.
Mugisha is will work with Flora and Fauna International, a
non-governmental Organization based in the United Kingdom.
Zambia
The rapid spread of the alien invader Mimosa pigra threatens
the Lechwe population on the Kafue flats. The operators of the
Lochinvar NP lodge have manually cleared an area close to the
camp. The Zambian Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) has not implemented
any control measures yet. It appears that the problem is
entering an exponential phase with each plant producing about
200,000 seeds. If nothing is done, the loss of habitat will have a
severe impact on the Lechwe and waterfowl populations. ZAWA
does not have the funds or capacity to implement a control program
and this would be an ideal project package for a donor organization
to adopt. (J. Anderson, conserva@global.co.za)
Zambia
H. Kabeta of the Zambia Wildlife Authority expressed concern
about government's allocation of title deeds to foreigners in GMAs
without consultation of ZAWA. The Lusaka Post published a report
that allocating land to foreigners in GMAs causes management
conflicts and requested clear guidelines on the issuance of
title deeds, since the Wildlife Act has no such provision, whereas
the Land Act permitted it with permission from ZAWA.
Zimbabwe
The Herald reported that Parks and Wildlife Management Authority
has urged farmers to venture into wildlife farming to generate
foreign currency for the county since wildlife farming was the
most profitable enterprise despite current economic hardships.
The spokesperson said that "on medium-sized to large properties,
sport hunting has contributed significantly to foreign currency
inflows in the country," and that income could also be generated
from meat sales, photographic safaris, canoeing, and fishing apart
from sport hunting. Of doubtful benefit is the statement that a
farmer could venture into wildlife farming with a minimum of
500ha. Such small properties would certainly chase foreign hunters
to other destinations.
Zimbabwe
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority stated that
Zimbabwe earned Zim$12 billion from the last hunting season;
Zimbabwe has 545 registered hunters, the majority of whom are
white and were taught professional hunting by their parents. The
Authority plans to assist blacks to enter the hunting industry. In
May 2004, the Authority established a hunting safari firm, Mgundumu
Safaris, at Matetsi near Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe
“Hwange National Park has now an elephant population of
about 50,000 (1997: 31,600 - 2001: 44,500). Best scientific evidence
suggests that more than approx. 12,000 would lead to a
loss of biodiversity. Although the management of the park rests
squarely on the shoulders of the Wildlife Management Authority,
the power to determine the fate of Hwange’s elephants and the
park’s diversity shifted into the hands of a global public represented
through a multitude of national and international organizations
that has assumed great authority with little knowledge or
responsibility and which cannot be held accountable for what
happens. Hwange and its elephants have become a global commons
and a tragedy is in the making!”
Quote from Mike Jones (SASUSG)
… and finally – observe the Lacey Act, or suffer the consequences!
4 US hunters who hunted in British Columbia with an unlicensed
guide were charged under the Lacey Act, when they
brought their trophies into the US. The Lacey Act makes it illegal
to bring a trophy into the US or across a state line if it
was taken in violation of local law. Darren Leggett was sentenced
to 4 months home confinement, 2 years probation, fined
$10,000 and forced to pay $20,000 restitution to USF&W. A Dakota
rifle and a mounted stone sheep were forfeited. In BC he was
fined C$5,850 and received a 5-year Canada-wide ban on hunting.
Bret Roderick got a $30,000 fine and a 6-year hunting ban.
He forfeited a Dakota arms rifle and a mounted mountain goat.
Larry Pagel and Fred Souders each got a $18,000 fine. Saulnier,
the unlicensed Canadian outfitter/guide was given the harshest
sentence ever issued in BC for illegal hunting activities. After
pleading guilty to 22 counts of violating wildlife statutes, he was
sentenced to 6 months prison, fined C$20,000 and banned from
hunting anywhere in Canada for 10 years. This includes a ban on
possessing wildlife, firearms and archery equipment. A second
Canadian, Kirk Porayko was sentenced to pay C$8,000, forfeited
his rifle on top of 5-year hunting ban. Source: Hunting Report.
Source: African Indaba – an electronic newsletter as a public service for hunter-conservationists
and all people who are interested in the conservation, management and the sustainable
use of Africa’s wild natural resources. African Indaba is published six times
a year and distributed free-of-charge via e-messaging service. You can subscribe
to the full newsletter by sending an email with your full address to gerhard@muskwa.co.za.
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