Edition 46: Spring 2009

On foot in Gorongosa
Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique’s flagship conservation area, has recently introduced walking safaris. Although predominantly a mobile walking safari product, it also provides guests with first-hand insights into the innovative restoration project under way within the park. Find out more at www.exploregorongosa.com

More from Masson
New for 2009, Masson Safaris have created a wonderful 8-10 day safari combining the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta. With both camping and lodge accommodation, the safaris offer game drives, walking, birding and boating in the delta. Besides viewing  large concentrations of desert animals and predators in the fossil river valleys and pans of the central Kalahari, there are two cultural visits with Bayie and the San peoples. Visit www.massonsafaris.co.bw for details.

Saving species
The Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) in southeastern Zimbabwe has lost, through armed poaching, more than 30 per cent of its female rhino breeding stock in the last five years; 80 per cent of those animals have been lost in the last two years. Much of the poaching has occurred on lands immediately adjacent to the SVC, areas the conservancy is unable to patrol with its own personnel. With the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (NPAWMA) both lacking the needed resources to protect the wildlife in these areas, the SVC is hoping to raise funds to establish a new Rhino Anti-Poaching Unit in conjunction with the ZRP and PAWMA. While the priority requirement will be to protect the remaining rhino on the ground, the ultimate intention is to apprehend, prosecute and remove the poachers and those directing the whole business.

“Africa must conserve its share of the world’s wildlife heritage and, despite the political situation, Zimbabwe is a key part of that and needs to play its role,” says David Peddie of the Sindisa Foundation. “It is up to us to find a way of doing so now. Once the politics change it may well be too late.”

The Sindisa Foundation, with the Save Valley Conservancy, is trying to raise the funds needed to protect wildlife in the region. More details can be found at www.sindisafoundation.org.uk