Resettled farmers cause chaos on Conservancy

The practice of keeping dogs in wildlife conservancies has attracted the ire of both the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management and wildlife rights campaigners.

Last week National Parks officials were forced to convene a meeting with the new farmers in the area following complaints of stray dogs, which have been seen roaming in private farms and the adjacent Hwange National Park.

Some of the dogs were used to hunting in the communal areas and they continue to do so in the conservancies. Small wildlife species like impala, kudu and hares have moved away as a result, said Petros Siziba, a new farmer in the area.

Siziba, one of the few new farmers running a thriving conservancy in the area, said Parks officials have threatened to cancel leases of all farmers who are keep dogs and rear livestock on their properties. Some of the resettled farmers have been accused of rearing donkeys, goats and cattle increasing the risk of foot and mouth disease.

Hazel David, the owner of Plush Safaris told The Zimbabwean in a telephone interview that the practice of rearing livestock in wildlife designated areas disturbs the ecosystem.

Wildlife farming is very sensitive. There is no way livestock rearing can be mixed with wildlife farming. Apart from killing small animal species, the dogs are scaring away wild life. Some are even migrating to Botswana and Zambia. This issue needs to be solved once and for all, said David.