The Zimbabwe Crisis Is It Ethical To Hunt There?, by www.huntingreport.com

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Comments

Posted: September-01 @ 18:29 est.

Name:

Bill Taylor | fbcoachbt44@yahoo.com

Comment:

I recently returned from hunting with Chifuti Safaris in the Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe. I was there from July 19 - Aug 2 and had a wonderful experience. I had no problems whatsoever on the trip. From the Customs and Immigration authorities at the Harare airport to the trackers and Chifuti camp staff in the hunting concession, I was treated with respect and courtesy.

While it is heartbreaking to see the conditions that Mugabe has forced the people of Zimbabwe to live under, hunting and the revenue it generates is the best way hunters and sportsmen can help the people and wildlife. A boycott would do nothing to solve the political situation and would only make matters worse for the people. As long as hunters are not in danger and you hunt with a reputable safari operator, I would not hesitate to hunt there again. It will take a little more time but Mugabe is on his way out.

Posted: August-13 @ 17:41 est.

Name:

Stephen Porto | s.m.porto@att.net

Comment:

I have read all of the posted copmments on this issue. Having returned from a three-week hunting trip to that beautiful country, I can make the following observations: There was no suggestion by any resident of Zimbabwe that we boycott hunting there. On the contrary, from lodge managers to trackers, the citizens earnestly thanked us for visiting their country and urged us to encourage others to come. They recognize, as do the editors of this publication and most of its readers, that hunting and visiting Zimbabwe is the best way to help its people and its wildlife. As tempting as it is to engage in political philosophy, a boycott will have little, if any, effect on that country's politics. The regime in Zimbabwe will change, for better or worse, but the people and wildlife will endure. We can help them do that in our most effective way-hunting and visiting there.

Posted: August-12 @ 15:06 est.

Name:

Tim Vining | timvining@msn.com

Comment:

I have not yet had the opportunity to hunt in Zimbabwe but hope to do so within the next year. Both sides of this debate have compelling arguments, but from my point of view the weight goes to those in favor of continued hunting. I am particularly moved by the argument of hunter's dollars going to locals and meat from game animals going to the native population. I am encouraged that there are mediated negotiations going on that appear to be encouraging in the form of a shared government. I believe Magube is on the way out. In the meantime let's help the game animals and locals with our hunting dollars. I think the good will we generate during this difficult time will outweight negative consequences at a later date.

Posted: August-06 @ 18:57 est.

Name:

embry rucker | embryrucker@hotmail.com

Comment:

I returned July 27 08 from Zimbabwe. This was my tenth hunt there since 1988 and my seventh in the OMAY. This is a tribal area of about one million acres belonging to the BaTonka people. The Hunting Operator Martin Pieters and I hunted buffalo ahd hippo. One day called on Chief Mola, who I had met before and he seemed glad to see me back. I was assured (for those worried about supporting the central government) that all fees paid by the hunting operator go directly to the Omay Communal Lands Council. They divide it up among the people as they see fit. I had no negative encounters with any one, from arrival in Bulawayo to departure. People are glad to see us hunters come since they know it means money and meat. If we don't support the hunting industry there, it will disappear and the game will cease to have value and will just be slaughtered for meat. The people of the Omay are poor and hungry under the present political situation, but they still understand the value of their game.

Posted: July-31 @ 16:36 est.

Name:

Jose Torano | jtorano@bellsouth.net

Comment:

I have just returned from Zimbabwe July 23, 2008. I was hunting close to Gwanda and had a great time. No problems were encountered and a couple of road blocks with no problems. Local people learn to survive in an economy that is hard to understand and there is a shortage of everything, including the very simple food items we are so used to and blessed to have. We ate plenty of game and local grown vegetables as well as other items, being fully satisfied. Zimbabwe is beautiful and the hunting is great. Keep in touch with your safari operator and don't let the opportunity escape you.

If I had the chance once again, I would be on my way in a second.

Posted: July-18 @ 13:42 est.

Name:

Bob Merchant | rfmerchant@sbcglobal.net

Comment:

Greetings. I have just returned from a 3 week hunting trip on Rosslyn Safaris' Cawston Ranch. It is located 45 minutes North of Bulawayo on the Victoria Falls Road. I was there from June 28 through July 11, 2008. I never once felt threatened by the political situation. I was accompanied by a representative of Rosslyn Safaris at all times--they all spoke the local language.

We were stopped twice at a Police roadblock, a routine event in present day Zimbabwe. The officers all knew the Rossyln staff member, and they frequently voiced a need for meat.

The foreign currency is greatly appreciated by the outfitters as it is the only stabilizer against 2.2 million percent inflation. Unfathomable! Most importantly, the game meat from the trophy hunting serves as the main protein source for the local population.

The key to a successful and safe safari is close communication with your outfitter prior to departure. They are aware of the local events that may impact your trip. Trust their judgement as you would when they are in the field hunting with you. Your safety is always their main concern.

Also, make sure you register with the embassy in Harare before you go.

Posted: July-15 @ 15:54 est.

Name:

Thomas McIntyre | tommymc@fiberpipe.net

Comment:

I have offered my views on the dilemma of hunting in Zimbabe, so I am pasting in the following news article without comment beyond suggesting that not only do the people of the nation suffer the longer Mugabe remains in illicit power, but there is no guarantee that the wildlife is free from serious risk, either.

2008/7/13 15:57:01 (200 reads) Harare - A renowned wildlife conservancy in Zimbabwe has been invaded by pro-Robert Mugabe militia who have demanded the owner vacate the property, an anti-poaching organisation said Thursday.

About a dozen militia members went to the Imire Safari Ranch in Hwedza district east of the capital on Wednesday and demanded the owner leave by the next day, said John Rodrigues, chairman of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force.

Their visit was the second to the farm after having gone there on Sunday and demanded the owner kill three impalas (antelopes) for them to eat, according to the organisation. The owner first refused, but later complied after they threatened to burn down the conservancy.

The farm, run by Norman Travers for more than three decades, is a sanctuary for more than 1 300 animals, housing nearly all species found in the region, including the endangered black rhino.

"Last night (Wednesday), the war veterans went... to the farm and asked him to move out, but we have informed the authorities and are waiting to hear what they say," Rodrigues said.

The war veterans are groups of hardline supporters of Mugabe, who was re-elected as president in a widely denounced one-man poll last week.

Set up in 1972, Imire is a private ranch that has been designated by the country's parks and wildlife authorities as a breeding zone for the endangered black rhinocerous.

The 10 000-acre ranch situated 105 kilometres east of Harare is also home to elephants, zebras and a host of other wildlife which are bred at the farm and later released into the wild.

Travers could not be reached for comment.

The incident comes after reports earlier this week of a number of attacks against farmers who have resisted the seizure of their land. - Sapa-AFP

Posted: July-15 @ 12:40 est.

Name:

Elaina Spraker | spraker@alaska.net

Comment:

My husband and my parents just returned from Zimbabwe (July 08). We hunted with Chifuti Safaris and had the trip of a lifetime; Chifuti is a first-class outfitter who ensured our safety. It was absolutely heart breaking to hear the stories of devastation Mugabe and his ilk have caused; however, the story is much deeper than just Mugabe alone. All of us felt grateful we could contribute “something” to the people of Zimbabwe, whether it be cash, clothing or miscellaneous items. From what I can determine, we are one of the only stable economies the people of Zimbabwe have during this time of desolation. I do caution hunters who travel to Zimbabwe to hunt only with reputable safari outfitters and do not hunt on private farms. >From what we understand, the only stable wildlife populations left are in the concessions (the parks). We heard from two different couples who traveled to Zimbabwe within the past 6 months and hunted on farms. Both says their trips were very disappointing. I say, for the sake of the people, keep the hunting business in Zimbabwe alive! - Elaina Spraker, spraker@alaska.net.

Alaska

Posted: July-14 @ 11:26 est.

Name:

Roy L. Sampson | Hionalaska@msn.com

Comment:

Although some people may feel it is safe to hunt in Zimbabwe, it seems immoral to financially support a system that is so radical. Surely a portion of the hunter’s fees are going to the government. I personally hunted in Zimbabwe back when the country was stable and I can understand why hunters want to hunt there. I do not understand why anyone would want to hunt there now. Thank you for reviewing this situation and I trust you will make the right decision regarding your advice to hunters.

Posted: July-12 @ 21:46 est.

Name:

Mike Jines | mjines@kingwoodcable.com

Comment:

I believe that the only thing a boycott of hunting in Zimbabwe would accomplish is to destroy the lives of the hard working Zimbos that are trying to hold things together through these trying times and seriously undermine efforts to foster conservation of the animal resources in the country. A boycott is not in any way going to pressure Mugabe to leave or expedite his departure. I believe the ever-resourceful and persevering people of Zim -- white and black -- deserve the continued support of the hunting community.

Posted: July-11 @ 04:35 est.

Name:

Scott Hayman | HAYCHIRO@MSN.COM

Comment:

I am a subscriber to the Hunting Report, and my wife and I spent two weeks hunting in the Chewore region of Zim last year. It's my observation that the help my dollars provided directly to those wonderful people I came in contact with, both in camp and the urban areas, far outweighs any trickle down to Mugabe. The politically correct option of boycotting hunting will have a much greater negative impact on those we are helping than it will on the current government. We were thanked over and over by the people we met for coming and were asked to please come back. To abandon these people at this point in time is wrong. I personally don't give a care what a new Zim government may think of my continued support of the hunting community while Mugabe is or was in power. If it's a legitimate government we'll be looked on as those who stood firm and helped where we could. As for helping wildlife, one has only to look at Mozambique and the devastating effects on the wildlife that occurred there due to poaching and lack of conservation during their period of instability and civil war. The decision to hunt or not hunt in Zim is a personal one. I feel we should continue to support the hunting community and people in Zimbabwe as long as we can. Scott Hayman

Posted: July-10 @ 21:21 est.

Name:

Greg Lindsey | gtlindsey@gotsky.com

Comment:

Mugabe will fall. But in the meantime, we have to support the people who are taking care of the animals, PERIOD. We have to maintain a presence, regardless of politics. We have to fight evil, not just walk away until things get better. It's about time the West steps in to help our brothers in Africa. But not by imposing total economic santions that won't work. Was ending apartheid in SA good for the people? Look at SA now! They are going down the same road as Zim. I say enough is enough, let's fight.

Posted: July-10 @ 17:31 est.

Name:

Tom DiPietro | danddpc2@yahoo.com

Comment:

I don't wish to sound too simplistic in addressing a rather complicated issue as this.

But, it seems to boil down to the fact that either decision (to hunt or not to hunt) will have adverse consequences to the people and their resources. Mr. Mugabe is a murderer. Our dollars offer some support or at least our "tourism" gives him some semblance of legitimacy. If we don't hunt the animals will likely die off one way or the other. However, we may shorten Mugabe's days thereby to the benefit of people who suffer under his rule. Our dollars would be better spent supporting the budding programs in other South African countries.

Posted: July-09 @ 17:37 est.

Name:

Justin Trail | Justin_Trail@cis-ais.com

Comment:

My views of the situation in Zimbabwe are admittedly biased. I have close friends who are Zimbabwean residents who are still trying to maintain an existence in their troubled country. Having just returned from an extended safari in the northern part of the country, I feel fortunate to have seen first hand the impact our tourism dollars have on the local economies. I understand that a percentage of incoming funds are siphoned off the top by the illegitimate government of Mugabe. I also understand that real money and goods are getting into the hands of the locals that need them the most. Hunters provide foreign currency and protein to the local people. Both of which are virtually unobtainable elsewhere. If game is not harvested under the regulated eye of parks and safari operators, it will be poached by someone else. Those are the facts. People need to eat, and hunters are providing food, which is much more valuable than Zimbabwe’s meaningless currency.

I understand and appreciate the moral dilemma posed by traveling to Zimbabwe. Indeed, this could be seen as defacto support of the Mugabe administration. I choose to think of it as a choice to support honest, hardworking friends who have been dealt a bad hand. Things will change, and I just hope the good guys can hang on long enough to be there to help clean up the mess. One thing is for certain: If we abandon them now, their near-term future in Zimbabwe is over.

Posted: July-09 @ 17:37 est.

Name:

Don Causey Reply | doncausey@msn.com

Comment:

I understand the argument against hunting in Zimbabwe, and it is compelling. On the other hand, I know hunting dollars are saving wildlife in Zimbabwe and that is of incalculable importance to future generations of Zimbabweans. Also, I remember hunting in Ethiopia in the 80s when Mengistu was in power. He used starvation as an instrument of political power and conducted Stalinist-type purges and population movements. I recall one day in the highlands coming upon this unbelievably abject community. All of the wood had been cut for miles around. The people were starving. They had been moved to this area without any means of support or way to survive. It was clear most of them were going to die. Was it wrong to be hunting? Dancing with a dictator this way? There are moral ambiguities out there that leave ethical, thoughtful people just shaking their head. What to do in Zimbabwe is one of those ambiguities. I must note that Ethiopia still has sustainable populations of game and that is of incalculable benefit to current and future generations of Ethiopians. The hunting I did, and others did, is probably responsible in good part for the survival of that game. I do not disparage the sentiments and thoughts of the writers above. They come at their viewpoints honorably. For my part, I am simply humbled by the complexity of the issue. Ironically, Mengistu is living peacefully these days in Harare, breaking bread with Mugabe.... - Don Causey

Posted: July-09 @ 17:36 est.

Name:

George Leidel | George.Leidel@hma.com

Comment:

I think it has become apparent that we as Americans can no longer ignore what is happening in Zimbabwe and be so self-centered and travel as if nothing is going on politically. Before, we could comfort ourselves by rationalizing that we were helping the economy in some of the peripheral areas with our hunting. The happenings of this past week have changed all of that, at least to this hunter. It's unfortunate that Mr. Tsvangirai had to drop out of the race and go into hiding because of the brutal violence that he felt responsible for. The wife of one of Tsvangirai's colleagues was savagely murdered while her husband was in jail in Harare last week. Murdered by hacking off her arms and legs and setting fire to her torso. We have been encouraged by the State Department not to travel to Zimbabwe and now I have to agree. It's not encouraging that Mugabe receives sympathy from several of his African neighbors, which is not a good sign for the African continent as a whole. Don, I guess I just felt compelled to vent my frustrations on this issue. I was there last summer, and my wife and I had a wonderful time in the bush. The PH's I met all said the bush was the place to be in Zimbabwe. There, you have power, hot water and plenty of food. Outside of camp, you could tell the people were suffering though. It's all very unfortunate. Zimbabwe's potential was almost limitless and the former farm owners that I met seemed to be good businessmen. They speak of those times in very endearing terms. How very sad. In my opinion, we should re-think our attitude on hunting Zimbabwe until the Mugabe situation is resolved and the country is free again. - Best Personal Regards, George D. Leidel, MD

Posted: July-09 @ 17:36 est.

Name:

Tom Mcintyre | tommyMc@fiberpipe.net

Comment:

I appreciate the courtesy and privilege of our sharing opposing views. I am afraid I feel only more strongly than ever about hunters, not necessarily going or not going to Zimbabwe, but searching their own consciences deeply about the decision. The issue, now even more than before, is unfortunately not about whether it is safe or not to hunt in Zimbabwe, or the worthy cause of supporting the safari industry - on a coldly pragmatic level, when, not if, Mugabe falls, how will the safari operators who continued to do business under his bloody regime be viewed by the new government and by the millions who suffered under him while hunters sipped their sundowners - or an obligation to the wildlife - if safari hunting is in fact absolutely necessary for the survival of the wildlife (and the evidence of the vast herds existing in southern Sudan and the giant sable in Angola after more than a quarter century of horrendous civil war does not entirely bear that out), then shouldn't hunters be flooding into Harare and into the field, despite any personal risk to themselves? But it is, and always has been, about all the people of Zimbabwe, who are all Africans whether black or white, and who do not deserve a monster such as Robert Gabriel Mugabe in their midst, while we throw up our hands and ask the disingenuous question, But what can we do? Again, my thanks for the dialogue. - Yours, Tom McIntyre

Posted: July-09 @ 17:36 est.

Name:

William Heubaum | wheubaum@vyn.midco.net

Comment:

Given our back and forth on this issue over the years you well know my position, and by now you have probably read my letter to the editor published in the current edition of Sports Afield. I respectfully submit that the time has more than arrived for all international hunters and respected leaders of the hunting community (such as yourself) to come together and say "enough already--no more hunting in Zimbabwe until the monster and his thugs are history." Our collective voices urging the imposition of total economic sanctions against Zimbabwe of the type which helped end apartheid in South Africa might well be what it takes to convince our government to take such action. Whether or not our government is moved to do that, we as hunters - and, more importantly, as humanitarians - can and should impose our collective will upon Mugabe by boycotting Zimbabwe and depriving him of our valuable American foreign exchange dollars. - Sincerely, Bill Heubaum