MAPP Newsletter

MAPP NEWSLETTER

 

“ If it was like this before then poaching was not even going to this extent. But good luck to the

animals and fish now they have good Sheppard’s” quote: Philip Mugwisa. This post appeared on our

facebook page, together with many others from Makande locals, not all as flattering, but we are

encouraged to note that some of the locals are concerned about their heritage and we plan to work with

them in our ongoing anti-poaching exercises.

 

Both water based and land based initiatives have achieved tremendous results in March / April.

 

WATER BASED OPERATIONS

 

TOTAL PATROL HOURS 279hrs

NETS RECOVERED 10880 meters

FISH RECOVERED 830 kg

FISHING CAMPS DESTROYED 1

ARRESTS 44

BEST RESULT IN ONE DAY 17th March 2014, arrested 16 fish poachers, 3 illegal kapenta rigs, and

recovered 3 dinghies.

 

Our operative is now using one of the two pelicans very kindly donated to MAPP. The workhorse

donated by the Tashinga Initiative is receiving a minor facelift before heading off to Tashinga where it

will be based and used in anti-poaching operations in and around Tashinga, including the Ume River. The

latter is suffering heightened fish poaching activity, probably as a consequence of our continued

presence in the Eastern basin. Certainly the Zambian Fish poachers are now targeting this area and just

last Thursday DPWMA together with MAPP arrested four Zambian fish poachers destined for this area.

 

LAND BASED OPERATIONS

 

Officially commenced operations 2nd March 2014

9th March 2014, arrested two persons with ivory on the periphery of the Park. One

sentenced to 9 years, case remanded for accomplice

6th April 2014 Four persons arrested in two separate patrols on the Parks boundary, all

of whom were in possession of Ivory. 2 sentenced to three years

imprisonment, two remanded in custody to 29th May.

 

These arrests came on the back of a two week operation conducted by, DPWMA ( Investigations

Department), ZRP, ZRP Support Unit and MAPP. We were privileged to be part of this operation and

delighted to be able to lend much needed logistical support. By all accounts this operation has sent a

shock wave through the poaching community, and there have been no new elephant carcasses

discovered in the Park since then. That might simply mean that the poachers are not as blatant or

arrogant as they were not long ago when we were finding carcasses on the shoreline. The game of cat

and mouse begins.

 

The MAPP fund raising event held in Kariba over the Easter was a great success. Whilst the primary

objective was to raise awareness for MAPP, we were secretly hoping to make some money out of the

event. We were successful in both departments and managed to raise $2600.00. We would like to thank

all those who attended and gave of their support, we hope that you enjoyed yourselves, and very big

thank you to the Kariba community who gave us tremendous support and assistance.

Our raffle tickets are out there and apparently selling well. There are still tickets available so if you have

not yet had your arm bent , tickets are available at Billys meats and Master Angler. Alternatively e-mail

me and I will be happy to assist you.

 

In closing I would like to leave you with a few inspirational pictures taken by Rae Koakes’ who is

presently stationed in the Matusadona National Park on a lion research programme. Not much is known

about the lions of the Park and environmental dynamics have changed substantially since the lake filled.

Prior to that the shoreline supported huge buffalo populations, the pantry for what was then known to

be the second largest concentration of lions in the world. So what has become of the Matusadona lions

since the lake filled, hopefully Rae can give us the answers to those questions. Early indications are that

they are alive and well….