via $300 000 for elephant, rhino conservation September 22, 2014
THE United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has provided over $300 000 this year for elephant and rhinoceros conservation in Zimbabwe.
This means that the agency has donated $1,25 million since 2002.
This year’s contributions were matched with funds from other donors and non-governmental organisations for a total of over $750 000 for conservation activities in Zimbabwe.
US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton said his country was proud to assist Zimbabwe’s wildlife protection programmes.
“Zimbabwe’s wildlife resources are irreplaceable, and if managed sustainably, can provide a long-term source of tourism revenues, jobs and economic opportunities throughout the country,” he said.
In accordance with the US African Elephant Conservation Act of 1989 and the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994, these funds were awarded to support anti-poaching activities in Gonarezhou National Park, home to one of Zimbabwe’s largest elephant populations, as well as to support monitoring and management of rhinoceros populations in the lowveld region and Matopos National Park.
These projects are complemented by USFWS programmes throughout Africa supporting law enforcement activities in all elephant and rhinoceros range states, as well as demand reduction efforts targeting elephant and rhinoceros products in consumer countries.
With only $1,4 million available for all 37 elephant range states and $700 000 for all rhinoceros in Africa, the USFWS prioritises funding in places that are both biologically important and under threat.
Zimbabwe has significant populations of elephants and rhinoceros, both of which are under unprecedented threat from poaching throughout Africa.
In Zimbabwe, rhinoceros and elephant populations are under threat from poaching. Last year, at least 105 elephants, along with other wildlife species, were killed in Hwange National Park by poachers using cyanide.
Wildlife trafficking is one of the most profitable types of transnational crimes, with annual revenues estimated to be as much as $10 billion.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe will today join the rest of the world in celebrating World Rhino Day.
COMMENTS
Zanu PF guys are forever bad mouthing the USA.Because the USA calls them to account.
But in this regard, what has these filthy rich Zanu top brass ever given for conservation or for the good of the country. Or their Russian and Chinese friends?
Despite all the lies Mugabe and his wife tells, they live in a mansion that cost millions. And have they ever paid their huge Zesa bill. I bet they did not.
I’m tempted to believe that this “donation” is a calculated insult, as the USA and other bilateral/multilateral donors are very largely responsible for Zimbabwe’s wildlife problems. Remember how they all “pulled the plug” in 2001/2002, sacrificing longterm wildlife projects to make a political point. Where was the USA, Mr Wharton, during the long dark years when we really needed you? Then this year you pulled the plug on the Zimbabwean hunting industry which – whether you or I like it or not – is instrumental in protecting vast areas of wildlife habitat. And now you have the gall to say you are “proud to assist” us with a miserable US$300 000. Do us a favour. Get lost.
Old Man River, all you are doing is bad mouthing the USA. Sounds typically like a Zanu PF that benefits from Mugabe’s policies that benefit a few people, and the vast majority suffers.
If the USA did not back you long ago, we can now see why; you have absolutely thrashed zimbabwe.
No I don’t remember them who you say “pulled the plug” in 2001/2, remind us please as it doesn’t make sense that the USA has donated 950K since then and a further 300K now, so what are you on about OMR. Get your facts right before you whinge here and try to belittle those who help this hamstrung and dumbstruck authority.