Presidential Herd, Zimbabwe. Photo copyright Sharon Pincott.
Help is needed to safeguard a herd of elephants in crisis. Once protected by an explicit presidential directive, the elephants flourished. Now this directive needs to be reaffirmed. But shooting has already been heard in the area, and one of the most dedicated activists documenting this range, Sharon Pincott, is getting out. There is no reason that those gunshots might not catch her as well as an elephant.
Please sign the Petition.
*Save the Presidential Elephants Now
https://www.change.org/...
On 19 MAY, 2014, Kenesias Dambakurima, Zimbabwean activist and poet, released information about a petition he wrote on behalf of the elephants to evict the “Kanondo” land claimant and her supporters from the land reserved for the protected elephants of the Presidential Herd next Hwange National Park Main Camp.
He plans to deliver this petition personally to the Ministers who could reassert that the land is dedicated to the elephants to remain in their natural state, unmolested. Safe from culling, hunting, and poaching.
All signatures are meaningful. International support increases the likelihood of the herd's preservation. More details and links below the orange flourish.
The concern expressed by Dambakurima and the elephant activists is that the Ministers of Lands and Rural Resettlement, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, and Environment and Wildlife, members of the Zimbabwean Poltiburo, will allow this occupation by a politically well-connected and pro-hunting group to continue in spite of having made an explicit directive evicting the group from the Presidential Herd lands.
There are ongoing fears that Ms Freeman, aka Elisabeth Pasalk, has not only claimed the land, but will bring secret and unethical hunting activities into this important area. That she has demanded that this area now be closed off to all others increases the concerns on behalf of the elephants. She would disallow the formal monitoring, recording, and patrol efforts on behalf of the Presidential Herd as has been practiced by the conservationists for the past 13 years.
This dispute has been publicly declared a “Politburo matter,” in spite of a binding notice of eviction by the issuance of the Cabinet Directive of 3 December 2013.
As noted on May 16, 2014 by The Herald, the Zimbabwean national paper of record, Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement
Mombeshora invited the conservationists and concerned citizens to "come in person and tell us or write to me or the permanent secretary.” The petition letter is being prepared with the current 3700+ signatures gathered to date to be presented by fax and post to the Ministers, the Cabinet and the Politburo. This document proves there can be no doubt that the matter has been formally raised with the responsible parties. The conservationists will appeal to the Ministers for a formal meeting in person with the relevant officials to discuss the issue.
Kenesias Dambakurima, the initiator of the petition, stated "We have the Ministers' attention, we will submit the petition and letter to the Ministers as invited." He said "We are hopeful the Ministers will fulfill their duty and the legal requirements of the Cabinet Directive forthwith".
Dambakurima went on to say "This article in the Herald has put our concerns about the well being of the Presidential Elephants front and centre. Their safety and that of their land areas is our primary concern, the elephant's range within the Kanondo area has been a major draw card for tourists who access this land on game-drives from several well established safari lodge operators. The presence of these tourists help to ensure the elephant's safety. Tourism operators who have had access to the land, and the Presidential Elephants Conservation Project are currently denied access, the land is occupied in contravention of a Cabinet Directive."
The loss of the Presidential Herd of Zimbabwe would be a terrible blow to elephant conservation efforts.
Please support the work of Kenesias Dambakurima, March for Elephants, and For Elephants International.
Please sign the Petition.
*Save the Presidential Elephants Now
https://www.change.org/...
Background Reading
Presidential Elephants Conservation project | Zimbabwe
http://www.facebook.com/...
Conservationists launch Presidential Elephants petition
http://www.herald.co.zw/...
16 May 2014 The Herald (A Govt. Media Outlet) www.herald.co.zw
The Fate of the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe—A Conversation With Sharon Pincott
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/...
12 May 2014 National Geographic newswatch.nationalgeographic.com
Questions raised over ownership of Zimbabwe’s Kanondo
http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/...
23 April 2014. South African Tourism Update. www.tourismupdate.co.za
Read also the numerous comments on this post.
Hunting of Zim Presidential Elephants Reportedly Begins
http://www.thezimbabwean.co/...
23 April 14 http://www.thezimbawean.co/
Elephant Activist Calls It A Day
http://www.thezimbabwean.co/...
13 April 14 www.thezimbawean.co
An earlier Action post by For Elephant's International with details from the Presidential Elephant Conservation project here:
ZIMBABWE PRESIDENTIAL HERD UNDER THREAT
http://www.elephantectivism.org/...
25 March 14 www.elephantectivism.org
Original Press Release for Presidential Elephants on Tuesday, May 20, 2014
MEDIA RELEASE | PRESIDENTIAL ELEPHANTS
http://www.elephantectivism.org/...