In this Newsletter:

What changes, time continues to fly by, a glance at the calendar the other day reminded me that it's now in excess of three months since last I last put pen to paper. Since then I have dropped incoming mail and other snippets of information into various folders all over. I'm not overly confident at the moment that all the various bits and I planned to include will be found.

·         Memorial service - Roger MacFarlane

·         Lofty Stokes

·         Dagaboys news.

·         Meeting up with a few old friends.

·         Snippets – Some news on lost colleagues.

·         New e-mail addresses

·         “Dagaboy” – The terminology and an interesting observation.

·         Where are.......?

·         “My Place in The Sun” by Margaret Peach (Haslam)

·         The renaming and restructuring of the Department

·         Conservation Issues

·         Hunting leopards with hounds

·         Lion Hunting & Quotas

·         The 2003 Hwange Game Count

·         Bits and Pieces on Mana

·         In closing

 

Roger MacFarlane:

Roger's memorial service was held on Thursday at noon in Gweru on Thursday the 1st of April. Commenting on the service Ginny Bithell, a close friend of Roger’s wrote “I was totally overwhelmed by all the messages received from ex National Parks friends - unfortunately none of them were able to get to the service.

The service was held on Thursday 1 April at the Presbyterian Church Gweru at 12noon.  Friends arrived from all over the country - more especially his bowling friends from as far a field as Harare.  It was a very special service with three carefully chosen hymns - beautiful roses adorned the Church and I had the pleasure of playing the organ. The service was conducted by Doug Darby, a good friend of mine.  The "wake" was held at the Gweru Sports Club Bowls Section and one of his bowling friends and my ex boss Ernie Hatchett from RM Insurance Company supplied all the drinks - a wonderful gesture - but further showed everyone just how highly thought of Roger was. 

A few days latter I received a email from Roy, Roger's brother, in gratitude for all the messages of condolences received Roy requested his letter be circularised: 

"My name is Roy MacFarlane and I am Roger’s only brother & the last MacFarlane. I live in Jhb South Africa. I wanted to drop you a line, to thank you and all the Dagaboys who sent their best wishes and condolences for Roger via Ginny.

Ginny was a good friend of Rogers and she currently lives in Gweru and has been a true friend to Roger especially through his sickness and fight against cancer.

A friend once said to me that you only live once, but if you live it right, once is enough. I like to think that this was exactly what Roger did. The few times I spent with him at Mana Pools & Tashinga, he truly loved the bush and to say, so did his work colleagues from Parks. There were certainly some characters and this I’m sure is where most of the Nat Parks legends were made.

Mike please could I ask you to forward this mail onto the Dagaboys and please ask them to contact me via e mail if they wish as many asked questions about the last couple of years with Roger. I have given the e-mail addresses to Phillippa Marrett in Harare and hopefully she can also be contacted. I understand that she knows most of the guys from Parks.

Take Care and Best Wishes

Roy MacFarlane"

E Mail roym@maxiprest.co.za <mailto:roym@maxiprest.co.za

                                                    _________________________     

FH (“Lofty”) Middleton-Stokes:

I learnt from Margaret Peach (Haslam) late in January of the death of  “Lofty” Stokes in New Zealand, I am not sure of the date of his passing but albeit our condolences are now very much belated, our deepest sympathies go to Kate his wife and their two daughters.   

Most of us who joined the Department in the mid ’60’s will not have met or known “Lofty” who was one of the original members of the Southern Rhodesian Game Department holding the position of “Senior Conservation Officer” prior to the amalgamation of the two departments in 1963. Thanks to Dave Blake who has kindly given me a copy of the “Department of National Parks and Wildlife Managements Staff Newsletter No 2 – December 1963” I can provide you with some information on one of our first “Dagaboys”:        

“Known as “Lofty” for obvious reasons, he is yet another ex-policeman who spent a number of years with the Tsetse Fly Department before becoming a game ranger. For a long time, Lofty was in charge of the Matusadona Game Reserve, and for the last year has been in charge of Marangora. He is married and has two daughters. Lofty is a keen photographer, and one of his photographs may be used to form one of the new Southern Rhodesia stamps. Unfortunately, Lofty will be leaving us at the end of January for New Zealand.”

                                               _____________________________

 

Dagaboys news

1.    USA

Rob & Paddy Francis:   

I must admit I enjoy receiving news and updates from the Francis’s. Paddy writes with such enthusiasm that her emails are always a pleasure to read.

Early in the year they popped across to the UK for the best part of a month and, from all accounts, thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

Apart from their refurbishing and on going house maintenance programme Rob and Paddy are preparing themselves for their new season, checking on equipment, retraining staff and attending to other necessary bits and pieces.

This is to be their last year in the States and Rob, according to Paddy, cannot wait to get back to the Falls!

2.   New Zealand

Rob & Anne Murray

I received a long email from the Murrays in the latter part of February and another a couple of weeks back.

In the former I was particular interested to learn that there are governments that actually care about the welfare of their folk:

Early in the February Anne notes that as a result of a fall she broke two bones in her foot, which resulted in a plaster cast and her, being off work for a month.

” They have a wonderful scheme here though and if it is a genuine accident, the state pays for everything until you are able to return to a normal life.  They even phoned me up and asked if I needed someone to come in and clean the house, if I had any children that would needed to be seen to, someone to do cooking or laundry for the family, and even if I needed help with bathing or showering.  Needless to say I declined all of the offers.” (One wonders whether a system such as this would work in Africa!!!)

In her email of the 26^th March Anne notes that she’s walking or more correctly hobbling about now without crutches and is due to have a check up shortly. 

Other than that just a couple of matters of interest  - Rob and Anne have just become Grand Parents, congratulations to you both and secondly Rob is due out here shortly. I will be seeing before he moves onto Gweru where he will be finalizing his affairs in Zimbabwe.

As a foot note – Rob has come and gone, life’s not easy in New Zealand but they’re certainly make a good go of it.

Rob is disposing of a few firearms - 357 Colt Python and 44mag Smith & Wesson 6”, Browning 9mm pistol, a 1 x 7.62mm rifle (Heckler and Kock model HK SL7) comes with wooden stock - very good condition.  NB:- comes with "Quick detachable"

mount system. A 12 bore shotgun (Remington model 870 "Wingmaster"- pump)- condition as new. A .22 rifle (Remington - bolt action - tubular mag.) condition good but old weapon.

 Also: 1 x Sight system - "Aimpoint 5000" (New never used)

          1 x telescopic sight - "Weaver 4x"

          1 x laser range finder - "Bushnel" (New)

          1 x Compound bow - Browning - 100lb peak weight

          2 x Compound bow - Bear white tail - 60 lb peak weight.

 If anyone is interested please either email me or phone me on 091 239 845. 

3.         South Africa

Generally little news from chaps in South Africa apart from feedback on the whereabouts of a number of “lost” Dagaboys. The information received is appreciated and contributes greatly to the completion of the Parks Role.

I did meet up with a number of Dagaboys during my recent trip down south, news of the few I managed to see appears further on in this newsletter. Time was sadly too short for me to see every one I would have like to and, for this, I do apologize. Hopefully I can fill in the gaps and visit many others the next time round. This will necessitate some planning and possibly one or two of you could organize a  “mini” get together which would be great.

 

Jeremy Anderson

From Jeremy I learnt that he is a partner in a consulting company – “International Conservation Services” - Most of their work is related to protective area planning/management issues in Southern Africa and on occasions, abroad.

Jeremy has also been able to provide me with the news and “whereabouts” of a few other Dagaboys:

“Charles Williams is in the States and heads the Legendary Adventure Company, which also owns Tanzania Game Trackers the safari Company they used to own Safari South in Maun. Charlie’s email address will be detailed under “New Email Addresses later in the newsletter. Niels Jacobsen ended up with his Doctorate on reptiles of the Transvaal and is semi-retired near Plett or Knysna phone 044 8770309”

Chris Lightfoot is running Tanganda or one of the big Estates near Mutare.

Peter Wright was in Durban and working at the University, but I guess he is long retired now”.

Here, I would ask for some help in making comms with Niels, Chris and Peter. Apart from our telephone system not being overly efficient international calls are very expensive. I do need e-mail address, if some one could make the necessary enquiries and let me have the information it would be really appreciated.

 

John van der Meulen

It was with quite some surprise that I learnt that John and Pam live in Polokwane (Pietersburg) – I called in and had some coffee with them en route to Johannesburg. John is still in the game management, capture and translocation business and as a “side line” breeds heart water resistant springbok, I’m not sure how many of these delightful little antelope he had in his pens but I’ve yet to see springbok in such good condition, they’re fat!

In their spare time and on the social side both John and Pam play golf. 

 

Tony Conway

Tony is still with Kwa Zulu Natal Wildlife and heads up conservation operations in the Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park (325 000 ha) and includes Kosi Bay,Lake Sibaya,Coastal Forest Reserves,Sodwana, Ozabeni,uMkhuze,False Bay,St Lucia Lake,Estuary and surrounding Reserves (Cape Vidal and Charters Creek) and 3 APU's.

Obviously a position with immense responsibilities when one considers that Tony’s operating budget is in excess of R20 million. He has fourteen managers plus several hundred other members of staff accountable to him. 

Here I would like to pause and reflect for a moment and note that it never cease to amaze me how well members of the “old department” have done in the fields of conservation and business since they were either forced or choose to leave Zimbabwe. Just think where we would be today if we were all still together, there would not be a wildlife or conservation agency anywhere in the world that could hold a candle to us. Well done Tony we’re all very proud of you. 

On a personal note Tony writes that both his children are overseas earning “megabucks” and doing very well for themselves.      

Dale Kenmuir

Jean Junor writes that Dale & Raggie live in Fishoek and that since their move to Cape Town have seen Kenmuirs several times.

Jean mentions that Dale has continued with his writing and notes “ His publishing list is four pages long and aside from scientific journal articles, other magazine and press pieces he has been published by well known houses such as Matthew Miller Longman and De Jager-Haum.

The Dagga Boys would be interested in, and may have read some of his non-fiction works.

• WILD MAMMALS a field guide and Introduction to mammals of Rhodesia.  Illustrated by Russel Williams (killed in action*) - Lomgmans Salisbury, Rhodesia
• A WILDERNESS CALLED KARIBA. The wildlife and natural history of Lake Kariba. Illustrated by Rusel Williams and Morag Kenmuir (Runner up of Kingston's Literacy award} Wilderness Publications Salisbury Rhodesia.
• THE ART OF EDMUND CALDWELL VOLUME II Co-author Dr Frank Bradley University of Cape town.{ Patron the Queen Mother}

Caldwell was the artist for "Jock of the Bushveld"  Frank Read Press Mazoe Zimbabwe

• FISHES OF KARIBA illustrared by Morag Kenmuir and Russel Williams  Longmans Harare Zimbabwe
• In preparation “LIVINGSTONES LEGACY” - The saga of Northern Rhodesia / Zambia.   Seven parts-- 80 chapters  

* Russel Williams was, at the time of his death, a Technician attached to the Wankie Research Unit. He was killed in a skirmish in Wankie National Park in either late ’77 or early’78. Russel, a territorial Selous Scout had volunteered to be part of the follow up team!

Novels

1. THE TUSKS AND THE TALISMAN De Jager-HAUM  Pretoria ( prescribed reading at schools)

2. SONG OF THE SURF ( short listed for Young Africa award and adapted for stage Johannesburg Youth Festival)  Maskew Miller Longman

3.DRY BONES RATTLING De Jager Haum  Pretoria

4. OL'TANGLETOOTH  De Jager Haum (selected by Book Chat as one of the children's books of the year)

5. SING OF BLACK GOLD  De Jager Haum ( Translated into Braille)

6. THE CATCH  Maskew Miller Longman (Runner-up Young Africa Award and selected one of the children's books of that year by Book Chat)

7.TOORBAND EN IVOOR – De Jager Haum {Afrikaans translation of “The Tusks and the Talisman”)

I won’t even attempt to list his press and journal articles or his scientific publications there are too many. 

I found his novels interesting reading for adults as well as the older children they were intended for.  He has a most delightful way of imparting real and factual environmental facts through adventure stories. The adventure plots are imaginative but could have quite plausibly occurred.  It is achingly poignant reading of those beautiful areas especially the Zambezi Valley, in good flowing English.

The list of Dagaboys that have come to the fore since they left the department seems endless!

To add into your list Dale and Raggie's e-mail is dalemor@netactive.co.za   Their phone number is South Africa is Cape Town  021-7822551

3    Banglad

Heather Forbes

I feel sure the word “Bangladesh” caught your eye as it would have mine, at the same time I would have wondered who or in the “clan” was living on the sub-continent. Well it’s Heather Forbes former Aquatic Biologist and Officer-in-charge Nyanga Trout Research Centre from 1985 to 1900. Heather is now with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is the Assistant Director British Council (Bangladesh).

Initially I thought working for the Foreign Office was a far cry from being an ecologist and managing the research centre in Nyanga but, reading a little further, I discovered that Heather had, subsequent to her days in Zimbabwe, obtained an MBA. With this I guess the career change more or less falls into place.

Heather will be moving to Kenya in July and hopefully will keep us appraised as to what she’s doing.   

4.         Malawi

Hans van der Heiden

A few days ago, on the off chance of contacting Hans on a “bushmail” address of which I might add, I was none too sure of, I dropped the van der Heidens a quick note and was most surprised to receive a reply from New Zealand of all places!

Hans and Val are down under visiting their daughter Tammy and son in law Craig and will be returning to Malawi in the second week of May.

Hans writes “We still have our safari businesses in Kariba, but not doing well, and my youngest daughter, Sally, and her husband Willem look after that side for now. My son, Craig in Florida doing a PhD and is about to start research on the black rhino in the Liwonde NP where I

am based.” Concluding Hans notes that he is pleased to be contact again and will send further updates when gets home.  

More news on the van der Heidens appears in “Snipets – some news on lost colleagues” further on in this newsletter.

 

5.         Zimbabwe:

Mike Bunce:

Early in February and completely out of the blue I received a phone call followed by a visit from Mike Bunce. I guess it’s been a good thirty years since our paths crossed so it was great to do a bit of catching up.

Mike and his wife Gerry are now living in Bulawayo and he’s still professionally hunting on a freelance basis.

Reflecting on the record tusker shot by Verster in the then Gonarezhou Controlled Hunting Area

in the mid sixties Mike recalls chasing this magnificent bull out of the Guluene/Chefu Tsetse corridor on a number of occasions noting too that it was often seen in the Nyamtongwe area of the park. According to Mike, Geoff Gillitts a Tsetse Field Officer stationed at Chipinda Pools, was the only person he knew to have photographed this bull before it was shot. 

As it would be of great interest to see the pictures or better still get copies I need to ask if anyone knows where Geoff Gillitts is or whether he’s still alive?

 

Ian and Carol van Heerden

I was very pleased to make contact with Ian and Carol again. I’m not quite sure when last I saw them but it’s a good few years back.

Ian is no longer hunting and now works with Carol for the Horticulture Division of Anchor Yeast where they hold the posts of project and horticultural managers respectively.

 

Tommy Orford  

Tommy’s still hanging in there, he’s not in the best of health and still has little use of his left arm. He does manage to get around a little albeit with the aid of a stick. I am sure Tom would appreciate receiving a few words from some of his old mates – If you would send your mail via me (mikebromtaxidermy@gatorzw.com) I will deliver it with the greatest of pleasure.

07.05.04 – Tommy appears to have taken a bit of a turn for the worse, he’s lost a lot of weight over the last week and a bit, nobody seems to know why. He is being watched carefully but things presently don’t look too rosy.  

 

Viv Wilson

Although Viv and I have lived in the same town for several years now some how our paths have just failed to cross! It was therefore with quite some surprise that I “bumped” into Viv a few weeks back in Barclays Bank of all places. Obviously not the most congenial spot to chat for any length of time coupled with the fact that we both had business to attend to but I did learn in our brief encounter that Viv is still widely involved with various projects on an International bases. Hopefully we can get together when he returns from a trip down the Amazon; he leaves on this three-month expedition shortly!

 

Sharon Beffa (nee Brennan)

The haste in which I put the December newsletter together resulted in several omissions and oversights on my behalf including my failure to include Sharon’s news of the 28^th November’03, my apologies!

Sharon writes: “After leaving Parks, I worked as the manageress of Sounds Power (Pvt) Ltd, the chain of record bars operating out of Power Sales.  I left in 1997 to work with my husband, Chief Research Officer at Matopos Research Station.  In 1999, we moved to Harare to start the Livestock Identification Trust, the initiative agreed upon by stakeholders to ensure that exports of Zimbabwean beef meet the stringent EU tractability requirements.”

Is now working as a personal assistant

 

                                                ___________________________

 

Meeting up with a few old friends.

In the middle of February I headed south on a few days “time off.” Ostensibly my plans were primarily to sort out an income tax issue in Johannesburg and then see my sister during their visit to Wilderness from the UK. Although my initial idea was to fly from Johannesburg to George I re-thought the whole issue and decided to drive down, spend a few days with my family, then head north up coast to see a little more of the southern coastal region and call in on a few Dagaboys during my travels.

Having only a relatively short time to play with I grossly under estimated the time involved in travelling such distances, in the two weeks away I covered over six thousand kilometres and was on the road for six days, just a little too much! As mentioned earlier I had hoped to see quite a few more friends and renew some old acquaintances, I can only apologize to Deryk and Joan Langman in Port Elizabeth, Tony Conway who lives in the St. Lucia area, Peter Thomson, Billy Howels, Ed Ostrosky, Hans Grobler, Dick Nash and others who reside in and around Pietermarizburg and in Natal – I’m sorry but hopefully we can get together at possibly a braai or what ever in the not so distant future.

 

 

 

Frank and Jean Junor

My visit to Wilderness coincided with the Junor’s move from Port Alfred to Cape Town and we got together for a few hours at a quaint B&B in the village.

If I can touch briefly on the reason for their move before I continue – Frank has cancer and has opted basically to be a human guinea pig, one of a few chosen I gather in the testing of new cancer treatment. If I hadn’t known that Frank was desperately ill I would certainly not have guessed it – for seventy odd he looked pretty good, his eyes sparkled and the joy of living and sheer positive ness radiated from him. I have kept in touch with Jean and can report that she remains as hopeful and positive as she can under these difficult and trying circumstances.

“On the 20^th of March Jean wrote “Frank is on the programme at last….This is a new trial being done in the states Britain, Canada, Australia and here. Frank has three medications and although two have been on the market overseas the third has never been marketed commercially. The stats on cancer mass reduction by these drugs are very favourably recorded by the trials { which started earlier than ours} in Britain and the United States.

We are hopeful of containing the cancer but do realise that Frank may have joined the programme too late.   He is older and further advanced in his condition than the others on the trial.

Frank is very positive about the whole affair and interested in the various methods of testing and recording and the innovative treatment such as portable drips etc.

We do enjoy getting news from people from "them old  days" and have had some lovely e-mails from dagga boys.”

Although we chatted and talked about many folks and events during the late afternoon one of the first things Frank did, when we got together, was to hand me a large envelope containing a number of photos of yesteryear together with the 1975 Wildlife Report. Included in the pictures was a series of photographs of possibly the last annual Shangaan fish drive on the Lundi River -mid sixties, if I recall correctly. Included amongst some of the other photos were “snaps” of a few of the original Game Department staff no, not in the field but behind desks in an office where they were being lectured on legislation and other matters pertinent to their work. Amongst those present were Archie Fraser, Rupert Fothergill, Tommy Orford, Lofty Stokes, Frank and I think Tinky Haslam. I need to get these photographs copied and sent down to Frank and have him position and name those present.

You’ve read Jean’s comments as to how much Frank enjoys hearing from his friends and colleagues so I can only ask that those of you who have a moment or two to spare to please drop them a note – They would appreciate it.

In Jean’s email of the 16^th April she mentions that a stomach bug necessitated Frank take a short break from the medicine. He’s now back on treatment and “sailing smoothly along”

The Junor’s address details are:

Email:               fjunor2@telkomsa.net

Tele:                 + 27 21 685 1594         

Postal:              8, Upper Paradise Road, Claremont 7700. South Africa

 

Don Parry

Don and Mary kindly drove through to Wilderness from Kynsna for a couple of hours. For those of you who knew and remember Don he hasn’t changed one iota, he’s very happily married and Mary is a delightful lady.

The “Parry” is finding living in town pretty stressful so I doubt whether he will really settle down in Kynsna. From what he says he’s hoping to find a small holding in the George area where he can raise a few cows, sheep and chickens and continue with his social and ministerial work.  

I did suggest to Don that he should utilize one the local Internet cafes and keep in touch with his friends via email – I would like to think he might do just this.

 

Dave Blake:

En route to the north coast I arranged to meet up with Dave Blake on the outskirts of Scottburgh where, I guess we chatted for a half an hour or so. Dave and Jill are living on the Crooks Brothers Estate. Dave is, in his own words “semi retired” and despite having had a triple by pass a couple of years back looks pretty fit.

Anyone who has had dealings Dave will recall his amazing ability to keep and maintain accurate records. Many may have thought he was too fastidious but who else would have been able produce a copy of the second ever National Parks staff newsletter! Dated December 1963 it was basically a “who’s who” of the Department. I certainly found reading up on the characters of yester-year, the original Dagaboys, to be very interesting. In addition Dave also handed me photocopies of the position charters of both “National Parks” and the “Game Department” prior to the amalgamation.

I don’t know what other bits and pieces of history Dave has “hidden away” but would, by copy of this newsletter, urge him to scratch around a little more – every scrap of information we can gather together is needed.

Thanks Dave for being so meticulous, we certainly wouldn’t be short of material if every one had been a fraction as conscientious with regards to their paper work as the “Blake”      

 

Patricia Tomlinson

I spent an afternoon and an evening with Patricia in Mtubatuba before turning starting back on my return journey. Patricia kindly drove me around and showed me a portion of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park. Unfortunately time was short and the weather a bit other wise but it was great to see some of the work being done to rehabilitate this magnificent area.

Patricia, amongst others, is particularly miffed that as a result of the introduction of elephant into the reserve extended walking or hiking along the beaches has been restricted! 

 

Cliff and Wendy Freeman

Although I had been given detailed instructions plus a “map” I got a little lost trying to find the Freemans – looking back I guess I should have read through everything a little more thoroughly rather than just giving the sketch and notes a cursory glance, when you’re stupid you suffer!

Nothing could have prepared me for the magnificence of the Prince’s Grant Golf Estate where Cliff and Wendy live. In short a great deal of thought and planning has gone into this huge project which is still being developed. The narrow roads that wind through the course or estate have been designed for golf carts one of which was parked in the Freeman’s garage! Being on one of the estate boundaries Cliff and Wendy’s house borders onto indigenous forest. What with this and having wonderful view of the Indian Ocean they have, without a doubt the prime site on the estate.

It was good to sit down have some coffee and chat with Cliff, unfortunately Wendy was working at the time of my visit which was really pretty much an unscheduled call. Time has been good to Cliff and although he was recovering from an “op” to his Achilles tendon and was not quite as mobile as he would have liked the “retired” ex Provincial Warden Matabeland south, hasn’t changed much over the years.   

As I mentioned in my last newsletter the Rovos Rail bird shooting expeditions keep Cliff and Wendy fully occupied during the “bird season” during which time they travel as far north as Tanzania. Zimbabwe no longer falls part of the itinerary, I wonder why!

 

Bruce Couper

On my last day in Johannesburg Bruce kindly drove in from Hartebeestport to see me. Apart from catching up with news of the family and that of other Dagaboys in the area we did toss around thoughts and ideas of a trip to Zimbabwe for the Coupers. It’s all going to take a little planning and time as Paula cannot unfortunately just “up sticks” and take leave.

Once we have more ideas as to when it might be I will contact his mates and other Dagaboys and see whether we can organize a mini get together. I ‘m presently chasing up Bruce to renew his passport!   

 

Snippets – Some news on “lost” colleagues

From Rob and Paddy Francis

Angus Anthony: Was in Kimberly with de Beers game ranch
Kim Hodierne: Until recently (??) a geologist with a mining company in Palaborwa, RSA
Ian Middleton: Was at Triangle, Clem might know more
Peter Moore:  Died years ago, Em has contact details for Delores, who has remarried and lived just outside Harare
Henry Pringle: Died some years ago, in RSA, we were contacted by his widow
Trevor Thompson: Was working for a conservation organization, I am sure Scratch will have details

From Jeremy Anderson:

Charles Williams is in the States and heads the Legendary Adventure Company, which also owns Tanzania Game Trackers the safari Company, they used to own Safari South in Maun. Charlie’s email address will be detailed under “New Email Addresses” later in the newsletter.

Niels Jacobsen ended up with his Doctorate on reptiles of the Transvaal and is semi-retired near Plett or Knysna phone 044 8770309

Chris Lightfoot is running Tanganda or one of the big Estates near Mutare.

Peter Wright was in Durban and working at the University, but I guess he is long retired now.

 

From Margaret Peach (Haslam)

Hans van der Heiden and Val are now at Mvu Camp in Luwonde National Park, Malawi. We only discovered this recently when we read the latest Fisherman’s magazine

 

Here, I would ask for some help in making comms with the chaps noted above, with particular reference to those living south of the Limpopo. Apart from our telephone system not being overly efficient international calls are very expensive. I do need e-mail address, if some one could make the necessary enquiries and let me have the information it would be really appreciated.

                                                ________________________                                                     

 

New E-mail Addresses

 

John van der Meulen               africanadventures@pixie.co.za + 27 15 2899 404

 

Brian Sherry                            bri.anne@openworld.com

 

Ron van Heerden                     sanron@lantic.net

 

Ian van der Lingen                  vdlingen@gds.co.za

 

Roger MacDonald                    rmacdonald@plastique.co.zw

 

Roger Parry                             bushwise@mweb.co.zw 

 

Mike Bunce                              mbunce@mweb.co.zw                 + 263 9 243 377

 

Ian van Herden                        anchorflower@zol.co.zw             + 263 9 882 906

           

Doug Evans                              chundukwa@zamnet.zm             + 260 3 324 452

 

Don Parry                                                                                            + 27 44 382 2120

 

Angus Anthony                        bizzybees@mweb.co.za

 

Colin Welensky                        info@gover norscamps.com

 

Anne Moore                             esflight@zim.co.zw

 

John White                              whitefam@zol.co.zw                                

 

Hans & Val van de Heiden       WS33@bushmail.net                                                                  

 

                                                  _________________________________

 

“Dagaboy” – The terminology and an interesting observation.

 

“ Zimbabwe has a proud history of hunting and conservation. This we all know and have known from the days of the “Daga boys.” As far as I can tell, the term “Daga boy” is associated with the once poorly paid National Parks employees who had an “unhealthy” love for hardship, wild areas and even wilder animals and a disregard for the material benefits of the modern world (except perhaps women and beer).

Daga boys, along with a handful of similar eccentric bush types, are synonymous with the origin of professional hunting, high ethical standards and visionary conservation initiatives. Conservation was their life, it had intrinsic value and was natured and cared for accordingly.”  

 

The above “definition” if I may call it that has been taken from an article entitled “Ethical Questions” (African Hunter Magazine No 6 of 2003) and is written by Patrick Aust*

I guess not too many of us have sat down and given the term “Dagaboy” any real thought other than to assess, or compare the similarities of the characteristics we might think we see in ourselves and that of an aging buffalo bull bespattered with mud.          

Well, I guess we never quite see ourselves as others do, the former “definition” certainly gives credence to what has been muted for many years – The staff, with their loyalty and dedication made the department the finest wildlife agency of it’s kind!

 

* Patrick Aust is the son Lt. Col. Charlie Aust (O/C RLI ’79-80)

                                                         ___________________________

 

Where are…….?         

Thanks to every ones contributions and efforts the numbers of “missing” Dagaboys has been reduced dramatically. I will continue to send out the list as a separate email shortly after the completion of this newsletter. I would appreciate whatever feedback you can give.

 

                                                    ____________________________

 

“My Place in the Sun”

I am very pleased to advise you all that Margaret Peach's (Haslam) book entitled "My Place in the Sun" has just been published. I think the short dissertation on the rear cover speaks for itself.

MY PLACE IN THE SUN

My Place In The Sun is written very much from the perspective of a resourceful wife and mother who was closely involved in life out in the bush at a crucial and interesting time in the history of this particular part of Africa. Her account of the triumphs, tragedies and daily incidents, takes the reader through twenty years of a somewhat nomadic existence in a wild and beautiful country which, for most of that time, was going through a period of great unrest. It is even more poignant to read about it today in the context of the current political situation in Zimbabwe.

                                                       

"My Place in the Sun" can be ordered direct from Margaret - email address - lewmarg@netactive.co.za

The price of the book is R 80 and to this should be added the following charges:

Packaging & Postage, airmail but NOT registered ..... R 8.00

Total                                                   R 88.00

Margaret's bank detail's are:

MLPeach, ABSA Bank, Montagu Branch, a/c no..9076679048, Savings account.(please ensure that your details are included on the transfer form)

Zimbabwe - Dagaboys living in Zimbabwe - Funds should be paid into Margaret's daughter's account and a copy of the deposit faxed through to  071 6806 - as this is a Bindura Haulage number please mark "For attention Raye Reid"

Bank details : TJ REID

 A/C No. 0107126 

Barclays Bank

Bindura

Branch Code 2518

Books will be sent by airmail - this unfortunately does increases the total costs by R 17.00 to       R 97.00 - when doing the conversion from Rand to Dollars the "auction rate of the day" will have to be used.

If, by any chance, you experience problems trying to get through to Bindura please fax me a copy of the deposit slip with your name and postal details. I will advise Margaret – my fax number is – 09 476 197 Please mark for my attention.   

I have received feed back on “My Place in The Sun” from the Junor’s, Jean wrote “wonderful to read of the “old times” – it brought back many memories.

Mike Fynn, Richard Peek and I have ordered copies as has Stu Hulley-Miller and a couple of other Dagaboys.

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The renaming and restructuring of the Department

 

The Department of “old” is now defunct and has been renamed and replaced by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

The senior post is that of Director General who comes under the Public Services, all other staff are employed by the authority.

Other notable changes:

·         Provinces will be re-structured and consolidated. Principal wardens, of which there will be three replace the former PW’s. I understand a prerequisite for these new posts is a degree. At the time of writing Principal Wardens have still to be appointed!

·         With regards to other senior positions, terminology has changed fairly drastically in the ecological or “research” division I am told an ecologist is now known as a “Warden Scientific”

I am not entirely sure of the structure of the “field division” but believe the warden in charge of a station will be required to hold a wildlife diploma. (I will endeavour to obtain this and other pertinent information with regards to the structuring of the field sector)

• Although there is provision for the authority to seek and receive financial assistance from government the authority will, in the main, be responsible to generate it’s own income.

 

It is believed that much of the revenue required by the authority will be generated through hunting and the imposition of a 2% levy on the exportation of trophies. The two percent “export documentation charges” are calculated on actual trophy fees plus any subsequent dip and pack or taxidermy handling costs!

As a foot note to the above it is understood that the authority raised in excess of five billion dollars auctioning hunts in the Zambezi valley this year.

In line with “inflation” parks fees and charges have risen sharply. 

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Conservation Issues

1.Hunting leopards with hounds

Hunting leopards with hounds is and will remain a thorny issue. Some approve of the methods being used others don’t. Having recently read a “report” on this very subject I thought many of you would be interested in reading a précis of the article and learning of the conclusions reached. 

The following is a précis with extracts from an article in The African Hunter Magazine No 6 of 2003.

The author admits to enjoying and finding the chase very exciting and notes that he could not find fault in the professional manner in which the hunt was conducted adding that the hounds were fit, obedient and exceptionally well trained.

He raises the question of whether the leopard population, which is an unknown quantity despite the figures being bandied about, can sustain the pressures of what appears to be an extremely successful means of hunting.

Although the writer states that it was very gratifying to learn of the concern of hunters of the day to only take a male leopard and that their integrity in this regard was beyond question he did note, with historical records of violations of current legislation to back up his assumption, that there were others who would not be so scrupulous. Faced with a decision of acquiring “forex” or maintaining ethics the latter would certainly opt for the former and kill what was brought to bay. Also of concern was the purported success rate, openly stated in some quarters as being 100%. The writer noted that it all seemed “just too easy” and that although he was not entirely convinced with the arguments given he was willing to concede that what he had witnessed may not always be the case.

The concluding paragraph reads as follows:

“ Having heard the vocalisation of the leopard which I have no doubt was traumatised when confronted with a pack of highly trained dogs and the ease in which it was finally taken, my reaction is “No” to hunting with leopards with hounds. It does not have a sporting chance. However, while the bait and blind system is probably far closer to providing a sporting chance, the possibility of wounding the animal which may then not be located, possibly become dangerous or dies a slow lingering death is not an option either. Unfortunately in today’s world failure is unacceptable and the human race must be reassured of results, so I believe hunting leopards with hounds which I have no doubt is the most efficient method of dispatching the creature is here to stay but I am not convinced that it gives the animal a sporting chance.

On ending, I wish to make it quite clear that by writing this report it has not been my intention to influence or discredit anyone. I have hopefully given what I consider an honest assessment from both sides, of what I witnessed.

On a very delicate subject, I leave you to decide what route you choose.

Colin Gillies

WEZ** (Matabeland Branch) -              

 

** The Wildlife Society of Zimbabwe has been renamed “Wildlife and Environment Zimbabwe”

                                                     

2.Lion Hunting  – Sustainable Trophies:

Mark Brightman forwarded me the following excerpt from a paper entitled “Sustainable trophy hunting of African lions” noting, “ Here's something forwarded to me by Kevin Dunham which is worth looking at in the Zimbabwe scenario, especially in view of the lion hunting ban in the Hwange/Matetsi and Gwaai areas. The particularly relevant paragraph has been highlighted in bold.

 

Karyl Whitman and Professor Craig Packer of the University of Minnesota, together with colleagues Anthony M. Starfield and Henley S. Quadling published a remarkable article in Nature

"Sustainable trophy hunting of African lions" in February.

The research combines on site observations of Serengeti/Ngorongoro lion and observations from hunting concessions with sophisticated computer software to model lion population data.

In their article, the scientists write that "male lions reach sexual maturity at about 2.5 yr of age and live to a maximum of about 15 yr in nature. The lion’s mane reaches full size at about 4 yr,

and peak reproductive success is attained by about 8 yr. African lions live in stable social groups (‘prides’) containing an average of 6 breeding females and a coalition of 2–3 adult males. The resident coalition sires all cubs born during their tenure, but most coalitions only remain resident for about 2 yr on average — long enough to rear a single cohort of young to independence. Rather than wait for mothers with dependent offspring to rear their current brood, incoming males typically kill all cubs less than 9 months of age and evict older sub-adults when they first take over a pride."

When a hunter kills a dominant male lion, takeover battles for pride control may result in further casualties amongst the combatants in addition to the cubs killed by victorious newcomers. If male

takeovers become too common, cubs are prevented from reaching adulthood resulting in an accelerated population decline. But there is a most significant outcome in the study of Whit-

man and Packer. When the minimum age of hunted trophy males was raised, the chances of population persistence increased markedly — to the point where removing males older .than 6 years of age had no substantial effect regardless of quota size. On the opposite end however, the excessive removal of younger males of 3 years or less invariably lead to population crashes at one point in time. It seems that a responsible hunting strategy which concentrates on hunting only males of 6 years and older would in fact prevent lion prides from changing hands too frequently. As a consequence at least one group of cubs will have the chance to reach independence during the tenure of a coalition. A stable lion population in the region concerned is the result. The number of the mature male hunter-killed lion is actually not having any detrimental effect on this lion population and would in effect "produce" more mature trophy animals in the long run. Consequently the hotly discussed lion quotas, difficult to establish objectively and difficult to control, could be a thing of the past.

To improve population stability, Packer and Whitman challenge the hunters to apply hunting strategies which target nomadic males or resident pride males whose cubs have recently

reached independence. This could significantly reduce infanticide and assist further in managing the lion population to optimal densities.

Another consideration deserves to be looked at: Whitman and Packer suggest that instead of selling a "guaranteed lion hunt" hunters should find back to their roots and buy hunting "opportunities" (which may be successful or not) and/or auction selected hunting opportunities in defined prime areas to maximize economic return.

The important and relevant conclusion is however that a lion population offers sustainable trophy harvests by following the simple harvest rule of not hunting males under 6 years of age and

preferably concentrate efforts and hunting skill on even older males past the prime reproductive age. This should find the approval of all hunters, since the trophy "quality" will definitely be

raised.

Whitman and Packer also delivered a most valuable tool with a simple technique for age-assessment of free ranging lion. Mane size and coloration are in their opinion no reliable indicators of age, but the extent of black pigmentation in the nose gives a fairly close indication. Lions are born with pink noses which become increasingly freckled and black the older the animals get. Noses of 5-year old males from the Serengeti are about 50% black; the scientists found out that Ngorongoro lion are about 8 years when

they reach this stage.

This simple way of determining trophy eligibility – honestly applied in the field and rigorously enforced by authorities and associations alike - will radically improve the scenario for lion hunting

all over Africa. Every African professional hunter worth his salt should be able to judge the age of a lion – if the nose is more than 50% black it’s a shootable trophy.

 

Following up on the above Mark also forwarded me the following:

 

“Here is what Andy Loveridge has to say in connection with the earlier report:-

 ………..I have some fundamental issues with the method proposed to age lions and its implications for sustainable use. Whitman et al do note that there IS REGIONAL variation in the pattern of nose spots- even in very close geographical areas (Ngorongoro vs Serengeti), so this might not even work for southern Africa and there needs to be considerably more data available before this method should be applied in southern Africa. There is also some evidence that males mature more slowly in the southern part of their range. Mane length data from Hwange seems to support this (males are mature in Hwange at about 6.5 yrs). I have discussed this with Craig Packer and he agrees that this might well be the case. So shooting 5 yr olds around Hwange is probably removing prime or slight immature animals- a contention which our data supports. The method also assumes that hunters will behave in a responsible way (nose spots fade very quickly after death) so there is no way of policing this method, and frankly, there are hunters who will abuse this system. My view is that hunting quotas need to be very thoroughly monitored and constantly assessed- which is what we are and will continue to do in Hwange, now that hunting quotas have been reduced (based in large part upon the recommendations of the Hwange lion project).”

 

Results of the 2003 Hwange Game Count

The “census” was carried out on the 9^th of October’03 with coverage being afforded to 49 of the approximate 100 water points available. At this point it must be stressed that I do not know the methodology employed in analysing the count results and what allowances have been made for the incomplete coverage of all points. The figures below have been extracted from the graphical presentations to hand for the period 1990 through to 2003 (14 years). The results are restricted to years unaffected by weather and are presented for interest sake only.     

 

SPECIES	1990	1998	2003
Elephant	13700 +/-	20000 +	18000 +/-
Buffalo	7500 +/-	7500 +/-	3500 +/-
Rhino (Black)	22	9	11
Rhino (White)	63	2	6
Lion	170 +/-	95 +/-	60 +/-
Wildebeest	1250 +/-	900 +/-	400 +/-
Impala	8000 +/-	3500 +/-	3000 +/-
Zebra	2600 +/-	2650 +/-	2400 +/-
Hyaena	330 +/-	325 +/-	165 +/-
Wild Dog	50	25	40

             

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Bits and Pieces on Mana

Although there was in an increase in visitors to Mana over the recent public holidays tourism in general is fairly depressed.

Roads within the park are in general terms in reasonable condition. The eastern approach of the Chimutsi bridge was washed away, this resulted in the opening up of the old road and river crossing which poses no problem to two-wheel drive vehicles.

Briefly then, Cheetah have been sighted on several occasions, fishing has been good and there’s no major evidence of poaching!

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In Closing

As a result of late, wide spread rains the vegetation across the country within the parks estate is in superb condition. There is also an abundance of surface water.

Hopefully the new Parks Authority will, with their new found sources of revenue, take steps to upgrade and revamp facilities within the estate.

 

I need feedback to keep this newsletter going, in closing then, apart from wishing you all well I’ll just add that I look forward to receiving your news from where ever you might be.

 

Mike Bromwich