This is Roberto Alvarez-Galloso reporting on what has been happening in Zimbabwe with regards to wildlife and ecology. I have invited Johnny Rodrigues of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force to talk with me and Now Public concerning the senseless destruction of wildlife, flora, fauna, and ecosystem. The following was from an E Mail Interview.

 

What is the purpose of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force?

 

To do anything in our power to try and preserve the wildlife we have left in Zimbabwe and to try and raise awareness amongst local people with regard to taking care of the environment. We encourage tree planting and we are embarking on a programme to teach people how to grow their own vegetables and to clean up their environment.

 

2. In an interview with the BBC, you commented about how the military in Zimbabwe is eating elephants. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7820885.stm

 What has been the reason behing eating elephants and what has the government done to attempt to stop killing of animals [including those that are endangered]?

 

The government has ordered the killing of the elephants because the people are starving. With regard to endangered species like the black rhino, we have lost over 100 black rhinos to poachers in the past year. We heard that some of the poachers were caught and arrested but they were then released soon afterwards.

 

3. Is there a possibility that maybe the government has encouraged such killings or could it be that certain members of the military have reached a point of desperation? I have just answered my own question in question number 8. http://www.zctf.mweb.co.zw/page3.html

 

Well I think everybody has reached a point of desperation. The government could put a stop to the killings if they wanted to. Every time there is a celebration like Independence, the government orders National Parks to shoot animals for their celebrations.

 

 

I am asking these questions while visiting your website which shows decapitated zebras and a skinned black rhino calf. http://www.zctf.mweb.co.zw/page2.html

 

 

4. War Veterans have slaughtered 50% of the Black rhino in Matabeleland. Is this slaughter on a daily basis? http://www.zctf.mweb.co.zw/page2.html

 

It was taking place on a daily basis between 2000 and 2003 until over 90% of the animals on the private game farms were slaughtered and there was nothing left to kill.

 

5. The Painted Dog was another victim of the madness that has affected the wildlife in Zimbabwe. Is the WWF aware of this news as well as what has happened to the natural habitats in Zimbabwe?

 

Yes, the WWF is fully aware of what is going on here.

 

6. The webpage has commented about Sables that have been in captivity after a deal that failed. http://www.zctf.mweb.co.zw/page5.html

 Have their been any further visits of the Sables after 2003?

 

The website hasn’t been kept up to date. We worked hand in hand with the ZNSPCA on this case and we eventually managed to get the sables released into a game sanctuary where I’m sure they are doing very well.

 

7. What has happened to the Sables since 2003? After seeing the death of a pregnant sable, I could not hide my indignation http://www.zctf.mweb.co.zw/page5.html.

 

Answered above

 

8. What can the world do in order to stop the killings of similar animals such as Blackie the Giraffe and the Black Rhino? http://www.zctf.mweb.co.zw/page3.html

 

There’s very little anyone can do until law and order returns to this country. Exposure helps to a certain extent but I can’t see much hope until we have someone running the country who cares about the animals.

 

9. Is there a possibility that some of the animals could be transferred to zoos and other places outside of Zimbabwe for their protection?

 

I don’t believe in zoos. I think wild animals are better off dying a relatively quick death at the hands of poachers than being locked up in a confined space and spending years being imprisoned and traumatized. With regard to relocating them to other places outside Zimbabwe, this costs an enormous amount of money which we don’t have and many animals don’t survive the stress of a relocation anyway.

 

10. If PETA [People for The Ethical Treatment of Animals] and WWF [as well as other conservation foundations] were to talk with the ZCTF, what could you say to them.

 

I would ask them to get together with all the other animal welfare organizations around the world and put some serious pressure on our government to put a stop to all the killing before it is too late.

 

I would like to thank you for accepting my invitation to be interviewed. I visited the website of ZCTF in order to base my questions since no one even knows what is happening to wildlife. I had a strong stomach but my anger kindled a desire for me to publish this story in my blog as well as in Now Public.

 

My Best Wishes and your organization is in my thoughts and prayers.

 

 

http://my.nowpublic.com/environment/now-public-exclusive-ecological-destruction-zimbabwe