Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, [email protected]
THE Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy (MBRC) last weekend held a sports tournament in a bid to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the black rhino and other wildlife as part of World Rhino Day Commemorations.
The World Rhino Day is September 22 and is meant to raise awareness on the importance of protecting the rhino species, which is under threat from poachers.
The MBRC is home to a number of wildlife, among them the black rhino, which is facing extinction. The Midlands Conservancy, which was registered in the early 1990s, offers better protection to the black rhino.
The black rhinos from other parts of the country were therefore moved to MBRC during the past few years.
The conservancy has however been invaded by farmers who are haphazardly settling within the conservancy leading to reduced breeding space for not only the rhino but also other wildlife.
Mining and farming activities have also resulted in the massive deforestation and contamination of water bodies.
Last month, a rhino died after being trapped by wire snares and this was barely a few months after another died after drinking cyanide contaminated water.
This prompted the MBRC to come up with initiatives meant to educate the new farmers on human wildlife co-existence as well the need to preserve wildlife and the sports tournament was one such initiative.
Brilliant Chibura said the tournament was an opportunity to promote co-existence between humans and wildlife.
“This has become part of our calendar every year as we host the tournament to try and raise awareness on the importance of protecting our wildlife.
“Today, we had netball for women and soccer for men with winners walking away with prize-money and medals. But above all, this is an opportunity for us to raise awareness on the need to protect the rhino, which lives together with people in surrounding farms,” he said.
Chibura said the black rhino was facing extinction. “Despite the measures we are taking in educating the farmers, the rhino remains under threat and is slowly facing extinction. I can’t say the figure of how many we have now for security reasons,” said Chibura.
Zibagwe-Chirumhanzu legislator, Jacob Chokururama weighed in saying there was a need for co-existence between humans and wildlife.
“Humans need to understand they are as important as our wildlife to the country’s economy. Such tournaments need to continue as they are a platform for raising awareness against poaching of wildlife and educating each other on how to preserve our natural inheritance ,” said the MP.
He said the event also raises awareness against drug and substance abuse, among other social ills. “We also use such platforms to raise awareness against e drug and substance abuse. The Government is spearheading the fight against drug and substance abuse and as communities we must play our part,” he said.
Cde Chokururama said the programme of drilling boreholes, which is underway is meant to ensure that both people and wildlife have access to water.
“So far, we have drilled more than 50 boreholes across the constituency so that people and their livestock as well as wildlife have water. As we are aware, the El-Nino induced drought has been declared a State of Disaster by Government, which means we need to come up with interventions to protect both humans and wildlife,” he said.
Cde Chokuruma said most of the water bodies in the constituency had dried up hence the shortage of water being experienced.
Ward 2 Councillor, Basilio Mutosvosri and Chief Ndabezinhle Gwesela representative, headman Vandirai also attended the function.
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