GOVERNMENT uRGED tO sTOP pOACHING, tROPHY hUNTING.

Civic society players have urged the government to stop poaching syndicates, which are ravaging a dwindling national wildlife herd amid a devastating drought induced by the El Nino effect.

The assault on elephants continues unabated and top civic society organizations have called on the government to stop trophy hunting and enhance wildlife protection and anti-trafficking measures. 

The national parks authorities recently reported the death of over a hundred herd of elephants because of a prolonged dry spell that has left the country on the brink of a devastating hunger, the Weekly has learnt.

This catastrophe comes as the country is reeling from an extended assault on local wildlife by organized poaching syndicates which continue to wreak havoc in the natural wildlife conservancies.

As Zimbabwe joined the international community in commemorating World Wildlife Day on March 3 under the theme, “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation,” focus should be placed on using technology to bust the illegal poaching.

Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) statement on the eve of the World Wildlife Day raises the importance of the technology and the ‘impact of digital interventions on ecosystems and communities in an increasingly connected world.’

In a press release, the leading advocacy organisation said the world is facing an unprecedented crisis in biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, with Zimbabwe’s wildlife under unprecedented assault from poachers.

“Zimbabwe is renowned for its diverse wildlife, including iconic species such as elephants, rhinos, and lions. However, the illegal trade in wildlife products, driven by international demand for ivory, rhino horn, and other animal parts, has reached alarming levels.

“Poaching syndicates operate with impunity, exploiting weak law enforcement and corrupt practices by state embedded actors and merchants of transnational organized crime, further exacerbating the crisis.

“The consequences of illegal wildlife poaching are devastating. The loss of key species disrupts delicate ecosystems, affects biodiversity balance, and diminishes tourism revenues, which are crucial for Zimbabwe’s economy. Additionally, local communities that rely on wildlife-based tourism and sustainable natural resource management suffer economic hardships, exacerbating poverty and social instability,” read part of the statement.

CNRG also noted that human activities continue posing significant threats to our planet’s fragile ecosystems and the diverse species that inhabit them compounding the effects of deforestation and habitat destruction.

The press statement also noted Illegal wildlife trade and climate change are also decimating the country’s wildlife as CNRG called for the strengthening of legislative and policy frameworks to address the drivers of poaching and illegal wildlife trade, which also include.

“The Government of Zimbabwe must enact and enforce robust legislation and policies that protect wildlife habitats, regulate extractive industries, and combat illegal wildlife trade. These frameworks should promote sustainable practices and ensure the equitable distribution of benefits derived from natural resources.

“It should allocate adequate resources to strengthen wildlife protection efforts, including anti-poaching measures and the dismantling of illegal wildlife trade networks. International cooperation is essential in combating transnational wildlife crime.

“The government should ban trophy hunting and take a leadership role in campaigning against the practice on the African continent. Trophy hunting has the potential to agitate wild animals and exacerbating human-wildlife conflict,” said CNRG.