DAGABOYS NEWS 24.10.03

Dagaboys Newsletters
In this Newsletter:
Since it's barely a month since my last newsletter personal news is a little limited. Be that as it may events on the ground and news concerning the parks estate have dictated the need for this letter to put out now whilst stories and reports are still relatively fresh and parochial.
• Mike Drury's Memorial Service
• Dagaboys News.
• 39 years!
• Pension problems!
• New email addresses
• Where are.......?
• CFU - Apology and correction.
• BBC - Poaching threatens Zimbabwe wildlife
• BBC News - Statistics on Lion
• Landmines Blow Multi million billion Parks Project
• National Parks Hunting Licences Abused
• Gwaai Hunting Ban
• Game Water Supplies.
• Dave Blake on the Mana Pools crocodile incident.

Mike Drury's Memorial Service:

The memorial service for Mike Drury was held at The Church of Christ Borrowdale last Saturday, the 5th of October. The service was well attended by some thirty to forty friends and relatives some of whom came from as far as Kenya, representing the Dagaboys were.John White, Graham Hall, Adrian(Tokkie) Lind, Tim Paulett and Drew Connybeare.
Dave Burton an ex District Commissioner conducted the service, John Slade read the eulogy.
Mike's ashes were interred with flowers in the garden of rest within the church grounds.
Betty was very appreciative of the email messages she received from Mike's friends in the Department and has asked me to pass on her heart felt thanks to all.

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Dagaboys news

1. USA

Rob & Paddy Francis:
Afew days back I received a lengthy newsletter from the Francis's. They've just had their two girls,Mandy and Debbie, across to visit them.According to Paddy they were all on the go for a month and wandered far and wide. The highlight of the trip was their visit to the famous Smokey Mountain National Park which Paddy describes it as being incredibly beautiful. They also found time to visit "Gracelands" - Elvis's home which Paddy says wasn't originally on their travel itinerary but notes " it was everything I could have expected. The actual house is much smaller and less grand than I had thought, but the tours are so well organized, and we all left with only high praise for the whole experience."
It would take me a great deal of time, which I really don't have, to précis Paddy's letter so I'll sum it afew of her last sentences " Once our wonderful holiday with the girls was over, both Rob and I had to knuckle down and catch up on the work backlog, a good thing as it certainly took my mind off the emptiness for a while. And now we are totally back into the swing of things once more." With winter round the corner, Rob busying himself with maintenance matters it appears as though the Francis's are preparing to hibernate.

2. New Zealand

Rob and Anne Murray
Both now well into the dairy farming routine! Anne notes "We are up at 4.30a.m.
and have the first herd in the milking shed by 5.30.Generally milking takes
us up till about 9.30a.m. and then we have to get everything cleaned up ready for the afternoon session which starts at 2.30. and needless to say finishes at about 6.30 and we get home between 7.00 and 7.30p.m. In between the two feedings we have to go and sort out the new born calves and their mothers, separate them from the herd and deliver them to their respective places - cows to the colostrum herd and calves to the barn. We have discovered that it is the only place to get paid while losing weight. Rob has lost 17kgs and yours truly 13kgs. Rob is now only about 4 kgs heavier that he was when we got married. Looking good!!!!

Chris & Julie Pullen
I last met up with Chris several years ago at Dagaboys reunion at Midmar dam. He and Julie are on South Island and live some 40kms from the Murrays.
Chris writes: We are now sharing this wonderful country with Rob and Ann Murray who is now working very hard on a dairy farm some 40km from us. We see them regularly.
I am now employed with the West Coast REgional Council as is Julie and I am still involved in environmental work but on a more broader scale. It is very challenging and interesting work and I make contact with people from all walks of life.
The Pullens can be contacted on jpullen@ihug.co.nz I'm sure they'd appreciate hearing from their old Parks Board budies in Natal
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3. South Africa

Pete Thomson
The Thomson's, are currently on a month's well earned leave. A little birdie (Tommy Orford) tell's me that they're holidaying in Mozambique! If they are I trust they'll enjoy the prawns and beer. Evidently none of them have been too well of late what with bronchial flu which did the rounds in the family.

Bill & Gwyn Howells
Had littlerally two lines from Bill saying they were also proceeding on leave and would be in touch when they returned.

Rowland D'Ivry Russell
I never thought it ever it would be possible to make contact with Rowland Russell again. Well, to cut a long story short I queried his whereabouts with Patricia Tomlinson and lo and behold in a jiffy I receive his telephone number!
Many of you may not remember Rowland. He joined the Federal National Parks as a ranger in 1960 and resigned as Warden McIllwaine in 1975. I first met Rowland in the mid sixties when he was in charge of Zimbabwe Ruins. Rowland was one of the department's flamboyant character's, although meticulous in his administration he had little time for bureaucracy and red tape.This combined with the fact that he was never afraid to voice his opinion irked and rankled just afew in head office.
Rowland and Ursula, both of whom are in fine heath, now live in Phalabowa after years in Pennington on the south coast.
Other snippets of news, Ursula is another who is putting pen to paper - writing about their days at Robins and Rowland celebrated his seventy first birthday on the 17th of his month.

Kevin Thomas:
The Thomas's keeps in touch with a number of Dagaboys including the Junor's and notes that Jean has recently undergone surgery on her arm.
With regards to his business prospects next year Kevin writes: "We are very well, but the strong Rand against the US$ has given most safari operators down here cause for concern. Compared to last year times are hard! Anyway our bookings are looking very good for next year so there is light at the end of the tunnel. We have also started marketing a combined birdshoot/plains game hunt by train through the Free State, Eastern Cape, Karoo & Kalahari. It is a 10 day deal and the train as such is our mobile safari lodge on rails. We also carry 6 hunting vehicles on the train! If we can market a number of these each season it will make us feel a whole lot better."
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4. Zimbabwe:

Ron van Heerden
Ron and Sandy are moving to Tzaneen.I can not provide any further news other than to say they will, for the time being, access their mail via the internet and have asked all to continue writing.

John White
John and Tara have sold up and moved to Alexandra Park. Due to building and other alterations they've been "off line" for a while. Please note their new telephone number as being + 263 4 744 845, their email address remains unchanged.

Steve Edwards
Steve and Wendy are back in Kenya for a three month stint returning to Zimbabwe some time in January. Contact details - as far as I'm aware Steve's mail is being forwarded to him but should any one have a problem please get in touch with me and I'll see what I can do.
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39 years !!

"Spud" Ludbrook's career in conservation began in 1957 in the then Northern Rhodesian Game Department where he served for eight years,it continued thereafter, with short interludes, through until 1999.
Spud joined the Rhodesia Department of National Parks as a ranger in '65 and transferred over to research midway through his service, he resigned as a technician with Fisheries Research in 1973. The University of Rhodesia introduced a two year course in field ecology in '68 - Spud was one of the initial students and obtained his diploma in 1970.
In 1975 Spud joined Natal Parks, he resigned in 1990 having completed fifteen years with the Board.
His final career move was to Botswana where he served from 1991 through to 1999 with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.
Give and take the odd month here and there Spud's service with the four Southern African wildlife agencies amounts to an amazing thirty nine years, surely a record of sorts!
Just as a matter of interest Spud's wanderings through Africa were not solely confined to the fields of conservation - prior to finding his "niche" in life Spud spent a couple of years in Malayia and Hong Kong with the British army, saw service in Kenya during the Mau rebellion then culminated his time in the "uniformed services" with three years in the Northern Rhodesia Police special branch!.
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Pension Problems

From Graham Hall
"Both me and Willy de Beer have not had our pensions paid for about one and a half years now.
I am interested to know whether there are any others among us who have had the same experience.
To add insult to injury PSMAS recently wrote to me asking for subscriptions which they have apparently been unable to obtain fro the Pensions department.
Am I wrong in understanding that at early retirement one of the entrenched benefits was supposed to be;-
a) The pension depending on what percentage was commuted.
b) Medical benefits FULLY PAID irrespective of pension payout.
NB. It is useless to try to contact Pensions Department, either no one answers the phone or if and when they do, you get no satisfaction.
If anybody out there can remember what is supposed to happen re PSMAS subs please broadcast it via the e mail facility because we are all likely to be affected sooner or later."

As I mentioned to Graham "As far as I can recall your medical aid comes off from your pension, It was one of the reasons that I cancelled my PSMAS membership when I was in SA - it was just eating up too much of my meagre benefits.

Just as a matter of interest the Aylwards had similar problems a few months back and went through to Harare - The person who was most helpful was Mr Chando (phone # 703 822 / 5) Liz suggests anyone having difficulties should go in person to the pensions office Mukwati Buildings, 4th St and Livinstone Ave and see Mr Chando (she stresses that you must have your pension number with you)
Re the medical aid - Liz says that the fees have risen drastically - pensions now may not cover contributions and thus PSMAS are asking for money!!!

My situation - I'm currently in Zimbabwe on contract, a work permit as I emigrated in '83, my pension was being paid in South Africa. At the beginning of this year I had three pension cheques returned unpaid. On querying this I was advised that the cheques, which amounted to a meagre hundred odd rand, had been returned due to there being insufficient funds in the pension account! I should add that the bank was very understanding and kindly agreed to reverse their charges on the three cheques which amounted to nearly four hundred and fifty rand. Not wanting to incur similar charges my pension cheques which continue to arrive remain in their envelopes unopened just gathering dust!

I would be grateful if you would let me know what the status is with your pension, is it being paid or not.
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New email addresses

Rowland Russell rrussell@lantic.net Tel # +27 15 781 1292

Ed Ostroske ostroske@kznwildlife.com Tel # +27 33 330 4298

Ian Thomson ian@ica.co.za Tel # + 27 31 7633 904

"Ducks"Donaldson ducls@netconnect.co.zw Tel # + 263 9 236 607

Cliff Freeman wendyfreeman@yebo.co.za Tel # + 27
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Where are.....??

I am trying to trace the where abouts or what's happened to quite a number of Dagaboys - as the list is a little long it will be forwarded directly after this update: The detail required is noted and what ever information you can provide will be of great assistance in helping us "complete" the Parks Roll of field, research and tourist staff..

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CFU - Apology and correction.

STATEMENT from Mr Ben Zietsman, Matabeleland CFU Regional Executive
Officer
APOLOGY
Further to our previous report (Press Release - SA Hunters Arrested in
Zimbabwe, dated 9 July 2003) regarding a group of twelve South African
hunters arrested for hunting on Chipizi Ranch in the West Nicholson area,
Mr Ronnie Sparrow and his company, Fair Chase Safaris, were incorrectly
implicated in this illegal activity.
Recent information has to come light necessitating the following statement:
Mr Ronnie Sparrow of Fair Chase Safaris has informed us that he had entered
into an associate agreement with Mr Nick van Zyl of Ndole Safaris in
Phalaborwa in South Africa at the end of May this year to facilitate the easy transfer of clients to Zimbabwe for hunts conducted by Fair Chase Safaris. Mr van Zyl allegedly used this agreement under false pretences to gain entry into Zimbabwe and to obtain an illegal hunting quota from the Gwanda Rural District Council, which he and the group proceeded to hunt on Chipizi Ranch.
During investigations into the illegal hunt on Chipizi Ranch, it transpired that they had named Mr Sparrow as the supervising Professional Hunter to the Colleen Bawn butcher processing the meat for them. Due to this deceit, Mr Sparrow and his safari company were erroneously implicated in their nefarious activities. I wish to place on record that, to the best of my knowledge, Mr Ronnie Sparrow was not part of this group and he has disassociated himself from them. Any embarrassment and prejudice suffered by Mr Sparrow and Fair Chase Safaris as a result of statements issued by this office regarding the incident is sincerely regretted.
Meanwhile, investigations into the possible involvement of Mr van Zyl's group in the killing of a rhino and elephants continues in Zimbabwe and in South Africa. The wholesale slaughter of Zimbabwean wildlife continues by similar groups in the Gwaai ad Matetsi areas of Matabeleland North. These biltong hunters are entering Zimbabwe to exploit the confusion surrounding land ownership in order to remove large quantities of raw meat and trophies off listed farms, back into their countries by various routes and means, thus risking the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease to Botswana and South Africa. Hopefully these activities can be curbed as authorities in all three countries become aware of the problem.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that one's fellow man will let you down and disappoint you, as these opportunistic hunters are doing. They are cashing in on the political instability in Zimbabwe for short term gain to make pleasure and ego-boosting poaching forays into our beautiful country, dangling rand notes and forex in front of hungry and gullible settlers whilst stripping Zimbabwe's natural wildlife heritage from its people without a twinge of conscience or any sign of remorse. When confronted they display only arrogance and disdain for our people and our country.
Ends
I am sure as to the date of the apology but believe it to be early this month.

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BBC News 1st October - Poaching threatens Zimbabwe wildlife
Barnaby Phillips, Southern Africa correspondent
There is a war raging in the Zimbabwean bush and the wildlife is losing. Poaching of wild animals on the formerly white-owned ranches is out of control. "We estimate that 80% of the animals that lived on commercial game farms have been killed in the past three years," says one expert. Hundreds of ranches have been taken over by settlers and so-called war veterans. In the dry bush country of the Gwayi Valley, anti-poaching patrols are overwhelmed. Every day they find animals that have stumbled into wire snares and are suffocating to death. Much of the poaching is at a subsistence level; desperate people looking for something to eat in a country that is running out of food. But the poachers' snares kill indiscriminately; trapping valuable animals like the sable antelope, which if hunted legally, would earn Zimbabwe many thousands of dollars. In the Gwayi Valley endangered species like the African wild dog have also been killed. "The animals have no chance now - there are snares everywhere, and the poachers are killing much more than they can possibly eat," one wildlife rancher told me. He said that his anti-poaching patrols often come across large animals like buffaloes that have simply been left to rot in a snare. "It is a terrible waste of a precious resource," he said.
I was driven on to what was, until recently, one of Zimbabwe's most successful wildlife ranches - the former owner was forced off the land in July. "This has been our home for 44 years," he told me, "but if the war vets see me here now they might try and shoot me." The network of safari camps on the huge estate have been taken over by settlers and war vets; we did not feel it was safe to approach them. There is a lot more at stake here than animal welfare, or the conservation of endangered species. The safari and wildlife industry was one of the most successful sectors of the Zimbabwean economy, employing tens of thousands of people. Over the past two decades ranchers in southern Zimbabwe restocked vast areas of bush with wildlife. "This is the most profitable way to use this land - you cannot grow crops on this soil," one game farmer told me.
But as Zimbabwe's political and economic problems have worsened, tourism has collapsed and thousands of jobs have been lost. I stayed in one of Zimbabwe's best game lodges, close to its most famous national park - it was a sad, strange experience. The lodge was almost completely deserted. The staff put on a brave face; dutifully polishing the windows, tending the garden and cleaning the swimming pool. But there was no mistaking their sense of despair. In Zimbabwe's climate of fear, few people want to give their names to foreign journalists but I did meet one man who used to work in the safari industry as a tracker and driver. "I am very worried about my future, because without a job how can I keep my children at school?" he said, in a low depressed voice. "Maybe I will try and go to South Africa, it cannot be worse than here".
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BBC News - Statistics on Lion

Subject: BBC NEWS Science-Nature Africa's 'shocking' lion loss
This is the text of an article taken from the BBC News World Edition 7th of October.
It is written by Alex Kirby the BBC's News Online Environment Correspondent.

"Unless rural Africans benefit far more from ecotorism the "shocking decline of the continent's remaining lions will continue, a British scientist says.
Fewer than 20,000 lions now survive in the whole of Africa he says, though they do not face immediate extinction.
The greatest threats to the species his researchers found are sport hunting and conflict with farmers over livestock.
The lions appear to be declining very fast in many of the remoter parts of Africa, outside the tourist spotlight.

The scientist is Professor David Macdonald, director or WildCRU, Oxford University's
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit.

In a lecture at the Zoological Society of London he announced the results of his team's five year study on lion conservation, which has concentrated on fieldwork in Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The estimate so 20,000 lions or fewer compares with a population put at about 200,000 in the early 1980's.
The researchers studied the impact of sport or trophy hunting in Hwange national park in Zimbabwe, surrounded by hunting concessions where the parks department allocate an annual quota: The hunters traditionally target male lions.

Professor Macdonald said their findings suggest the levels of hunting there were not sustainable. Of the adult males the team tagged or collared, 63% were shot by hunters in the surrounding area.
The resulting low density of male lions is exacerbated by the hunter's habit of shooting juvenile males when they find no mature adults.

Impossible pressure
This means males move widely, and may have ranges of 1000 square kilometres, about three times the size of a lioness's range. So it is likely they will leave the protection of the park and move into hunting areas.
Usually, the Hwange lions also associate with more than one pride of females, meaning they are less able to protect the lionesses and their cubs.
Wild CRU estimates there are about 42 adult males in Hwange, where between 1988 and 2002 the hunting quota in the concessions was set at 63 lions.
It says the number shot annually far exceeds the recommended sustainable level of 4-10% of the adult males. The parks department is considering lowering the quotas.
It compares the conflict in Botswana between lions and farmers with the hunting which led to the extermination of wolves,lynx and bears in the UK centuries ago.
WildCRU says: "African carnivores today are facing a fate alarmingly parallel to our long departed carnivores, caught between the needs of a human population....and the predator's own considerable need for space and resources."
In the four years the team spent in Botswana's Makgadikgadi national park, it says, "lions were poisoned, trapped and shot, but never appeared to die from disease, starvation or injury."
WildCRU says some lions follow the seasonal migrations of zebra and wildebeest, but most seem to stay behind to ambush stray domestic livestock.

Not persuaded
The answer, it says, is to make more wild prey available for the lions (through discouraging hunting) and fewer domestic animals.
Consistent vigilance by the herders is critical, but hard to encourage, because they rarely perceive any benefits to themselves or their communities from the tourists attracted by the lions and other wild animals.

Professor Macdonald told BBC News Online:"Ecotourism may work for glitzy areas like the Okavango or Serengeti.
"It's a wonderful hope, a generator of revenue, but it's unrealistic to expect it do everything."
"Local communities get very little benefit from it, but they must. The herders don't see the link between lions and tourists, because they don't see the money."

Frail Flagship
"The lions decline is shocking, because it suggests they're a great deal more frail than we might have thought."
"If they were all in your sitting room, 20,000 lions might sound a lot, but we're talking about the entire continent."
"And there can be no animal in the world more emblematic of wilderness and conservation than the lion."
"If even they have been decimated in a couple of decades, that may tell us something about what's happening to the less conspicuous and emblematic creatures."

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Landmines Blow Multi million billion Parks Project

September 25-October 1 2003
THE FINANCIAL GAZETTE

* Zim can't raise $10 billion for de-mining
* Damaged infrastructure still to be repaired

ZIMBABWE'S participation in the tripartite Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, now hangs in the balance as it emerged this week that the cash strapped southern African country will require an estimated $ 10 billion to clear its side of the park of landmines planted in the area during the 1970's war of liberation.

The project, which also involves South Africa and Mozambique, is on the Zimbabwean side, being hampered by problems of land mines strewn within the Gonarezhou National Park area which borders the Kruger National Park of South Africa, the Financial Gazette established yesterday.

There is no money with which to remove the land mines from the Zimbabwean side of the park.

Although other partners in the project, Mozambique and South Africa, have made significant progress in developing their sides of the park, Zimbabwe which has failed to shed its financial handcuffs against a background of bleak near-term economic outlook, has made very little, if any, progress, amid lingering fears the project implementation clock could grind to a halt.

This has made Zimbabwe the only country among the three failing to implement the project, or at least move at the same speed with its counterparts.

This means Zimbabwe will not immediately benefit from the park, the world's largest wildlife sanctuary straddling the borders of three countries.

Tourism industry sources who cited a string of last-minute complications and financial glitches as having scuppered developments on the Zimbabwean side of the park, yesterday said Zimbabwe, facing a crippling foreign exchange crunch, needed to raise at least
US$ 2 million to clear the mines. This is a top line ripple for a crisis-hit economy struggling to break out of the doldrums.

Environment and Tourism Minister Francis Nhema this week confirmed they were facing problems of land mines in the Gonarezhou.

"it is true we are facing some problems of land mines but it is not the hole Gonarezhou that is affected but just a portion of the park," said Nhema who could not indicate the cost of the exercise nor the extent of the minefield.

"Last time we managed to remove some of the mines because of the assistance we received from the Germany embassy who financed the de-mining exercise.
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National Parks Hunting Licences Abused

September 26 2003
Zimbabwe Independent 5

CONCERN has been raised about rampant corruption in the Department of National Parks and Wildlife's hunting concessions after allegations that senior managers have allocated themselves licences and are wreaking havoc in conservancies.

Speaking in parliament two weeks ago, opposition MDC MP's said there was high-level corruption involving the very people who should be managing wildlife sustainably. Environment and Tourism minister Francis Nhema acknowledged that there was a conflict of interest.

Harare North MP Trudy Stevenson singled out a case involving the chief warden of Hwange National Park and the senior ranger of Sinamatella Camp who authorised hunting by South African companies in the Gwaai Conservancy.

Nhema confirmed that warden Mafu of Hwange Main Camp, senior ranger Mark Russell of Sinamatella, and the veterinary officer in charge of Matabeleland North were involved in unauthorised hunting operations in and around Gwaai Conservancy.

"I would like to confirm that our officers warden Mafu and senior ranger Russell have been implicated in allegations of unauthorised hunting activities in Gwaai Conservancy" Nhema said.

He said part of the Gwaai Conservancy was designated and subsequently acquired by government for indigenous players to participate in wildlife management.

"Therefore, the conservancy no longer exists in its old form, as some of the beneficiaries are using their land for agricultural purposes. "Warden Mafu and senior ranger Russell were beneficiaries under the A2 programme in Gwaai, on condition they participated in wildlife, game ranching," Nhema said.

He said the approved process was conducted at the provincial level and was consistent with the Parks and Wildlife Act, which confers appropriate authority on landowners.

"While hunting was authorised, there is however a clear case of conflict of interest, a matter which is currently being investigated with a view to preferring misconduct charges if found guilty." he said.

Mafu was allocated Railway Farm Number 17 (Malindi) and Russell Goodluck Farm in the same area.

The MP's said the Hwange case was only the tip of the iceberg.

The situation on the ground is compounded by the fact that there are too many people with various powers of issuing authority to hunt, they said.

"You have the district executive officers issuing authority for the hunting of eight beasts done on behalf of the Zanu PF youth militia in various areas in Bulawayo." one MP said.
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Gwaai Hunting Ban

On a more positive note!!

From The Zimbabwe Independent, 17 October
Chefs protest hunting ban in Gwayi
Loughty Dube
Hunting has been banned in the Gwayi Valley Conservancy to stem the plunder of wildlife amidst protests by ranch owners many of whom hold influential positions in the ruling party, the Zimbabwe Independent has heard. The ban on all hunting of game in the area was made by National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority director-general, Morris Mutsambiwa, last week. It comes amidst concerns from conservancy organisations over the rampant plunder of wildlife that includes lions and over 300 elephants protected under a Presidential decree of 1990. The National Parks directive has met with stiff resistance from safari owners in the area. The operators have already written a letter to the Minister of Environment and Tourism, Francis Nhema, complaining bitterly about the ban. "It is important to note that resettled farmers did not empower themselves arbitrarily to carry out sport hunting, they were empowered by National Parks under SI 26/1998," says the letter. "Similarities between what is attributed to your office and negative stories doing the rounds on the internet are of a disturbing nature," it says. "The sources of the negative stories are the former white landowners and they seem to be getting collaboration from your office. Whose interests are you serving?"
The ban on hunting leaves photographic safaris and game viewing as the only activities permitted in the area. The Gwayi Valley Conservancy borders the Hwange National Park and safari ranches in the area have been allocated to new farmers under the government's A2 model. A list supplied to the Independent with names of A2 beneficiaries in the area indicates that most of them have links to Zanu PF. They include the party's central committee member Alice Nkomo in Lot 3 Dete Valley, the party's provincial chairman for Matabeleland North, Jacob Mudenda in Sekumi Estates, Zimbabwe's high commissioner to Zambia Cain Matema in a sub-section of Lot 3 Dete Valley, and ZBC reporter Prisca Utete who acquired part of Sekumi Estates. Dr Christopher Zishiri, chief veterinary officer in Matabeleland North, got Karna Block East. The rest of the beneficiaries are traditional chiefs who include Chief Mabikwa and Chief Joseph Dingani. A company registered as Eternity Trading, whose director is listed as J Moyo, runs Lot 2 Dete Valley. The Zimbabwe Conservancy Trust has also named Matabeleland North governor Obert Mpofu, in one of its reports, as one of the beneficiaries licensed to conduct hunts in the area.
According to a small-scale safari operator in the area, the directive to cease all hunting in the area has incensed the "new farmers", some of whom are said to be operating with fake hunting quotas. Hunting quotas are issued at the beginning of each hunting season and outline the type and number of animals a safari operator can hunt in a single season. "There has been systematic hunting using fake quotas and in some instances, some of the quotas signed by National Parks were blank while some of the quotas had no client information and in some instances some quotas do not state on what farm the hunt was taking place," said a conservationist monitoring the region.
This is encouraging news, rumours abound but I have been unable to shed any light on the conflicting reports emanating from the Gwaai.
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Game Water Supplies
Over the last few days there has been wide spread rains over much of the country, including north western Matabeland. Hopefully this has eased, albeit on a temporary basis, the crisis relating to game water supplies within Hwange National Park
Although interested parties maintain a few of the water points credit must be given to James Wessels who, following a visit to the park in early September, realised that unless immediate remedial action was taken to resuscitate water supplies a catastrophe of immense proportions would result. Through his actions and the generous donations from individuals and businesses three engines were purchased at a cost of 27million dollars plus spares to the value of 5 million. In addition a further 2 million dollars was spent on repairs. In these difficult and lawless times, when the trend is to exploit rather than to conserve, it's great to know there still people about who are genuinely concerned about the well being of our wildlife.I think it's a great effort and a bit of positive news which is these days more of an exception than the rule.
The annual game count was carried out a week or so back - if count figures come to hand as promised I will include the data in my next newsletter. ___________________________
Dave Blake on the Mana Pools crocodile incident
In response to an email from Terry Roach who wrote: " I have just read your report on the croc attack in the Zambezi. I know that practically all female crocs have been removed from this portion of the river by the croc farmers collecting adult breeding stock both from here and zim
I do not know if this would have a effect on the behaviour of the males that have remained in these areas. Would Dave Blake be able to shed some light on this."
Dave replied:"What triggered the crocodile attach at Mana can only be speculated on.
1 I was not aware that farm,errs had been allowed to capture females along the river for breeding stock but do not think the reduction in females would have an affect on male behaviour.
2. It would appear that the attach was carried out by a large male crocodile.
3. August is part of the breeding period of crocodiles in the area.(June to September) The male would have set up a territorial area and any males entering it would be driven off, any female entering entering the area would be courted.
4. Crocodiles have an instinctive fear of humans and will take avoiding action.
5. Crocodile are opportunists and will investigate anything splashing on the surface.
6. Crocodile encounters with canoes may be unprecedented in the Zmabezi but to my knowledge at least two have taken place on Lake St.Lucia.
In the first two canoes were involved. The first struck the crocodile in the shallow water and in it's panic to escape upset the canoe. The second canoe was upset when people spilt from the first tried to climb into it. Everybody was able to wade ashore and the ranger was able to return to the canoes and collect the equipment from underwater. The crocodile had fled the scene.
In the second a canoe struck a crocodile in shallow water and the crocodile spun around and bit the canoe (fibreglass) crushing and penetrating it and inflicting an injury to the calf of one of the occupants. Once again the crocodile fled the scene.. The size of the bite indicated it was in the region of 4 metres.
7. Crocodiles hunt for food at night. Large crocodiles setting out for their feeding grounds at sunset.
8. So what happened in the Katy Reaves case:
8.1 The party set off on the river at sunset, presumably anticipating reaching their camp in daylight. Sunset at Mana on the 4.8.03 was at 17h48.
8.2 We have a large crocodile lying on the bank enjoying the last of the day when he is disturbed by the approaching canoes. He slips into the water and sinks to the bottom as the first canoe passes. He then starts to move into deeper water when he collides with the second canoe. The canoe is partially capsized and Katy in order to save herself flings her arm out and into the water.
The crocodile feeling it is under attack spins around and snaps at it's "attacker" gripping Katy's arm and pulling her into the water. Not recognizing what it had grabbed, the crocodile released her.She was now floundering in the water and the crocodiles instinct clicked in and sensing prey seized her and submerging swam away.
Like all tragedies it is easy to say where things went wrong or how things could be avoided. As you know, animals are not totally predictable in their behaviour. In this case the canoes entered the crocodiles territory. It would have been wiser to move out into deeper water and let the canoes drift past the crocodile. People should be advised that in the case of being tipped into water, they should try and stay calm, splash as little as possible and even swim under water rather than on the surface. Easier said then done!
With your permission I will pass the account on to Toney Pooley who is in the process of writing a book on crocodile attacks, I will ask him to pass in his opinion on the attack."
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Well, that's about it for the moment.Hopefully there will be more personal content in the next newsletter but that of course depends on the what's received, would be great to hear how you're doing and what's happening. Nothing received from the ladies??!!
Please don't forget we are still looking for material for the dreaded book.

All the best.
Mike
For further details of 'Dagaboys' please e-mail mikebromtaxidermy@gatorzw.com