Calvin Manika
HWANGE National Park rangers last week graduated after undergoing a refresher course, a development that is expected to reduce poaching.
The refresher course, which was taught by senior and seasoned rangers, included inter alia the training on new anti-poaching techniques and tactics, the application of the Zimbabwean conservation law and the use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS).
It also involved training on the use of digital radios, ethics, firearms, patrol, criminal investigations, crisis intervention and self-defence.
“The refresher course was necessary especially in the view that poachers are now sophisticated and they are becoming dangerous by each passing day,” said a game ranger who declined to be named as he is not permitted to speak to the press.
With elephant’s population exceeding the park’s holding capacity, rangers were encouraged to be well coordinated and increase their presence in the park.
Further, graduands were informed that wildlife is Zimbabwe’s national heritage which needs their unwavering dedication and commitment.
Hwange National Park is one of the biggest national parks in Zimbabwe and is adored internationally for its flora and fauna.
Also, it is one of the few parks in the entire globe to host the famous and fabled Big 5 wild animals (Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Elephant and Rhino).
The ZimParks authorities, who are the custodians of the national park are facing poaching challenges, especially of elephants.
Poachers, some foreigners, have teamed up with rogue Dete villagers to illegally hunt jumbos for their precious tusks.
In the past, ZimParks and the police have carried out a joint operation, Nhaka Yedu, to arrest poachers and raise awareness of the dangers of the illegal enterprise.
But poachers have developed sophisticated skills and created strong syndicates, that authorities are finding hard to crack.
“Last year there were many arrests of poachers and their accomplices, but most of them are roaming in the villages. Courts are citing lack of evidence,” said Limukani Sibanda, a villager from Mabale.
Some organisations, such as Painted Dog Conservation, are complimenting
the efforts by the authorities in the fight against poaching by deploying their own anti-poaching units.
These organisations use spotlights for night operations, GPS units, mobile phones for data capturing and give volunteers incentives.
