Rusape wildlife set for relocation

Senior Farming Reporter
THE various wildlife species at Mona Agro Tourism Conservancy in Headlands are set to be moved to either Karoi or Tsholotsho, with the farmer reportedly holding discussions with responsible authorities over the move.The conservancy falls under the Department of National Parks and Wildlife.

The farm has been repossessed and reallocated to the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affair Cde Mandi Chimene.

The outgoing farmer, Mr Gordon Taylor, who had a partnership with Mrs Christine Murembwe told The Manica Post that he had applied for an extension up to the end of August to enable him to harvest his crops and relocate the various species of wildlife from the conservancy.

Mr Taylor revealed that the movement of the animals would be a costly exercise since specialised equipment and helicopters are required.

“The animals are our major headache because we cannot leave them here. We were just custodians and we have to remove them. Basically the animals belong to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife and we are just custodians.

“We operate the conservancy under National Parks. It is through their authority that we are keeping these animals here,” he said.

Mr Taylor also bemoaned an increase in poaching at the farm. He said poaching was leading to wanton maiming of many animals not intended for consumption.

“It has increased 10 times. The poachers are pouncing like never before. We are engaging them (National Parks) so that we could relocate these animals either at the CAMPFIRE area in Tsholotsho or somewhere in the northern part of Karoi. We are still busy trying to negotiate as we need helicopters and other specialised equipment,” said Mr Taylor.

Some of the animals at the farm include giraffes, impalas, leopards, kudus, zebras, rhinos, hyenas and warthogs among others.

“We were running the conservancy here because the farm is largely mountainous and the ecology favours wild animals. It is something I have worked on all my life. It is not everybody who can keep 400 various animals in the middle of Zimbabwe,” said Mr Taylor.