Animal populations dwindling drastically in Kariba
05/07/2009 11:23:28
By Johnny Rodrigues - Chairman for Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force
We have had several reports from distraught Kariba residents in the past couple of months regarding the alarming decimation of the wildlife there. The crocodile farm near Charara, owned jointly by National Parks and Lake Harvest Fisheries, has 23,000 hungry crocodiles that require 9 tons of meat per month. Due to the fact that the number of elephants has subsequently declined to a critical level, they have decided to stop shooting the elephants and target the hippos instead. We are now receiving reports that it is becoming quite rare to see a hippo in the area - in fact, it's quite rare to see any animals at all.
We have also heard that the crocodile farm is not quite as lucrative as expected because people are not as keen to buy crocodile products as they once were. It would appear that nobody is benefiting from the senseless slaughter of our wildlife except the crocodiles.
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It would seem to be pretty obvious. Close and relocate the crocodile farm, as unless it is making money for the local inhabitants why is it there. Once it has gone there will be no need to look for 9 tons of meat per month, which should mean less killing of other animals.
Posted by: colin guest | 10 Jul 2009 15:16:29