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Hwange Nat Park
Hwange Wildlife
Saving
Zimbabwe's largest National Park
In partnership with Wildlife & Environment Zimbabwe and The
National Parks & Wildlife Management Authority |
Newsletter July 2009
To all those interested in Hwange Wildlife in the Hwange National Park, alias Friends of Hwange
As we near the end of July, we are well and truly into the dry season in
Hwange National Park. Although we had a good rainy season, surface water in
the South of the park dried up quickly, and the big game returned to the
North of the park early this year. As a result there has been heavy demand
on waterholes and pans in the Park since April, necessitating pumping of
water from then.
For those who have never visited Hwange in the dry season, or have not
witnessed the desperation of animals during a drought, let me try to
describe the scene at a waterhole
that contains inadequate water. Highest up in the chain of animals are the
elephants (of which Hwange has an estimated 20 thousand)
which due to their
size are able to dominate all available water at a pan and prevent any other
animals from drinking. Elephants will stay around a pan that has water until
their thirst is assuaged. If the pan has been totally depleted, and all that
is available is the water coming out of the pipe supplying the pan, an
elephant will stand with the end of his trunk over the pipe, and suck up
every drop that comes out of the ground. As one animal takes his trunk away
from the pipe to pour what he has collected down his throat, another will
immediately take his place and there are all the while multiple trunks
searching and feeling for each drop that might escape.
Since a big bull elephant requires about 200 litres of water a day, the
chaos reigning when multiple herds come in to a pan to drink is hard to
describe, the scene is hugely upsetting to witness. It is bad enough to
watch animals pushing and shoving, trampling on and screaming
at
one another around the water pipe,
but worse still is when there is no water
at all, when the drone of the Lister engine fades away, and hundreds of
animals of all species stand patiently waiting for the engine to start up
and if it doesn't, simply lie down and die where they stand. It is
absolutely tragic to witness a large herd of buffalo walk in from many miles
away to an empty pan. Desperately thirsty, their only option is to rest for
a while, then unrewarded, trudge on to the next pan, a long distance away,
in the faint hope of finding water. One of the most heart rending sights
during the drought in 2005 was to watch the scene when an engine that had
been silent for a time was re-supplied with fuel and was started up. Animals
of all sizes and species started pouring out of the surrounding bush knowing
that the key to their survival lay in the noise of that engine.
At times when there is enough water available in the pans, there are none of
these problems.
Thus we, the trustees of FOH are determined that no matter what the odds, we
cannot let these animals down. We will do whatever we can to keep them going
until the onset of the rains in November.
Due to the world recession, and the inability of our major donors from
previous
years being able to support us, we have had difficulty finding the necessary
resources to keep pumping water to the pans. We have found ourselves
appealing to anyone and everyone to support our cause by donating whatever
they feel they can. However, if we are to avert a major disaster this year,
and avoid the deaths of thousands of animals, there is still great need for
adequate funds to see us through the next four months.
Our major requirement is for diesel to run the Lister engines which are
responsible for driving the mono pumps that supply water to the pans.
Each engine uses about 500 litres of diesel a month, and one litre of diesel
costs about USD 1. We try to supply water to 10 pans spread through the
Northern section of Hwange, this gives an idea of our requirements. USD 20
will keep one pump running for 24 hours. Our five windmills do a wonderful
job, and we are exploring ways to go more "green" and install more eco
friendly systems, but at present these simply cannot keep up with the demand
for water during the height of the dry season, and we are forced to use
Lister engines.
To this end, we are appealing for any donations at all to help us. Dave Dell
has put together a photographic CD of Zimbabwe, photos of wildlife, birds
and scenic Zim which he is selling for USD 20. Proceeds from the sale of the
CD will go towards funds for FOH. The feedback we have had from people who
have bought the CD so far has been tremendously positive and uplifting.
Contact him on the above email address for details if you would like a CD.
Since the withdrawal of the Zimbabwean local currency, and it's subsequent
replacement with South African Rand and US dollars, problems associated with
receiving monies into Zim have disappeared. We have thus set up a local bank
account and are now able to accept donations directly into Zim. Details are
as follows:
Friends of Hwange Trust
Stanbic Bank
Borrowdale Branch
Account number 01400 92243201
Swift Code: SBICZWHX
Corresponding details if required. Bankers Trust New York
Swift Code:
BKTRUS33
There are many people in Zimbabwe and abroad too numerous to mention
individually, who have supported our cause, and we extend to them our
heartfelt appreciation. The following people and organisations deserve
special mention for their contribution in recent months:
Duncan Paul of Dunadventures (RSA) for his ongoing support in cash and kind.
Elizabeth Swain and Chris Ayres (USA)
Thorsten Schafer and the Four Wheel Drive Club of South Africa not only for
their material support, but also for encouraging their members to visit
Hwange National Park
Dave St Quinton (RSA)
Our web address has changed in recent weeks, and is now
www.friendsofhwange.org. Our
thanks to YoAfrica in Zimbabwe for hosting the site free of charge. We will
post any interesting developments as and when appropriate.
Finally, may we extend appreciation for reading our newsletter, and for your
interest in our cause.
The Trustees
Friends of Hwange Trust.
Trustees: G.R. Brown; A.J. Preston; P. Turner; D.C. Dell; B. Edwards; B.
Wolhuter; Founder: R.A. Franklin
Tel: +263-4 707973; Mobile (Dave Dell): +263-11-630152; Email: foh@strachans.co.zw
C/O Box 3021, Harare, Zimbabwe
Website:
www.friendsofhwange.org
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