Activists target Shearwater (30-11-06)

ination due to the company’s unspeakably cruel and traumatizing manner in which it is handling wildlife.
The storm of condemnation follows the death in captivity of four juvenile elephants captured in the Hwange National Park by Shearwater Adventures for use in its elephant back safaris and for elephant interaction experiences.
While Shearwater claims in its brochures that the elephants it uses for its elephant-back safaris are rescued orphans, they are in actual fact young elephants who have been stolen from their families.
“Whilst Nakavongo Range is beautiful, one can’t say the same for its owners ShearWater Adventures and its activities,” Zimactivism says. “Encourage a Shearwater boycott – become actively involved in a ‘Shame Nakavongo Range Campaign’. In Zimbabwe you can make a difference … get involved. There are a variety of alternative holiday resorts. Make sure your friends in South Africa know the situation,” the group says.
Based in Victoria Falls, Shearwater Adventures boasts a variety of adventure activities including bungi jumping, white water rafting and walking with lions among others.
Zimactivism is encouraging people to send protests to tour operators in South Africa and the UK who market Zimbabwe.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Zimbabwe Conservation Taskforce have all roundly condemned Shearwater for attempting to domesticate animals by taking them away from their families.
However, Shearwater’s office in Victoria Falls this week scoffed at the campaign saying it had no bearing on tourist arrivals at the Range.
“It is the quality that endures at the end of the day,” said a company spokesman who declined to be named. “Nakavongo is the best range in the country and is recognised as such by travellers who do not want to bring politics into their holiday. Our bookings are full and continue to swell because we are the best. These people (leading the campaign) should reveal themselves if they want us to take them seriously,” he said.
“Shearwater is the flavour of this industry and people can say whatever they want. But if all these allegations are true, why hasn’t Shearwater been prosecuted?” the spokesman asked.