[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4179″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” css=”” link=”https://scibcdev.com/”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721832466795{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
Above: Wildlife crime – especially when it comes to elephant ivory and rhino horn – is once again on the rise in southern Africa.
Photo: Mana Meadows
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Donate” shape=”square” color=”warning” align=”right” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Finterland3.donorperfect.net%2Fweblink%2Fweblink.aspx%3Fname%3DE342892%26id%3D151|target:_blank”][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721832596111{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Did you know that wildlife crime is on the rise locally here in Zimbabwe, as well as regionally and worldwide? During the “Covid” years, travel restrictions fortunately led to a decrease in wildlife crime. But it is intensifying once again.
Analysis from wildlife crime tracking partners (C4ADS) shows that the trafficking routes between southern Africa to Asia are still being utilized. Southern Africa continues to serve as a source market, especially for rhino horn and elephant ivory.
Sadly we have seen commercial poaching for both ivory and rhino horn increasing on the ground in the first half of 2024.
However, forewarned is forearmed, and the good news is that VFWT knew that a resurgence in wildlife crime was possible – if not probable. And so, we initiated a new project to help counter wildlife crime and support our investigators in their efforts.[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Donate” shape=”square” color=”warning” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Finterland3.donorperfect.net%2Fweblink%2Fweblink.aspx%3Fname%3DE342892%26id%3D151|target:_blank”][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721832646828{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Firstly, VFWT supports Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority investigators by enhancing their capacity for evidence collection. This includes securing resources such as fuel, airtime, and facilitating cross-border meetings with counterparts in neighbouring countries to share information. We also support travel for effective investigations and prosecutions.
Secondly, using its laboratory, VFWT tests wildlife crime samples for species identification, geographic origin, and individual matching.
But there is still a long way to go: our efforts, though impactful, are costly, and we can’t do it without you![/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][mk_padding_divider size=”20″][vc_single_image image=”4180″ img_size=”Full” css=””][mk_padding_divider][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721832769039{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
How can you help us fight wildlife crime?
> US$50 assists us with printing materials for one office for one month.
> US$100 allows a cross-border meeting for a day.
> US$250 enables an investigator or prosecutor to travel across borders for case support.
> US$330 provides 200 litres of fuel for a month of operations for one office.
> US$500 helps us with DNA extraction supplies for species identification in the lab.
> US$1000 will supply one computer which will allow us track, monitor and analyze wildlife crime data to improve our efforts to target places, people and types of wildlife products that are being used.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Donate” color=”warning” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Finterland3.donorperfect.net%2Fweblink%2Fweblink.aspx%3Fname%3DE342892%26id%3D151|target:_blank”][vc_single_image image=”4181″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721832837393{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]We have big news – our efforts are already paying off. In the last eight weeks, we were put to the test in two major wildlife crime operations:
> Maputo, Mozambique: One of our VFWT forensics laboratory technicians was invited to travel to Maputo, where government authorities had seized 644 ivory pieces totalling 5 tons in March. Collaborating with partners TRACE Wildlife Forensics Network and Mozambique Wildlife Alliance, and using a validated mobile lab set up, over the course of a week the team were able to extract DNA from the ivory and amplify it in the mobile lab (pictured below). The DNA is currently being analyzed to determine the ivory’s origin, this will be crucial in helping inform wildlife protection agencies where the elephants were poached.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4182″ img_size=”Full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721832897435{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]> Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe: The second significant outcome occurred closer to home, in Hwange National Park, where a lion was illegally snared and its carcass taken. ZimParks Investigations and local teams worked hard to collect evidence from the crime scene. Following leads, investigators located lion claws and parts in a suspect’s residence, leading to the apprehension of two others involved. The lion parts were analyzed at the VFWT lab. The timing for this testing was fortuitous as the recent lion genetics panel for Zimbabwe lions had just been completed. Using DNA analysis the lab team was able to match the lion parts submitted back to the individual lion that had DNA in the database. This analysis was used in court and the suspects all received a 24-month prison sentence.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4183″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” css=””][vc_btn title=”Donate” color=”warning” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Finterland3.donorperfect.net%2Fweblink%2Fweblink.aspx%3Fname%3DE342892%26id%3D151|target:_blank”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721832925868{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Together, we’re achieving huge things. We hope you will consider assisting us in making an impact in curtailing wildlife crime and helping to ensure a future for our iconic elephants, rhinos and lions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1714123032559{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]For Wild Africa,
Jessica Dawson
Executive Director[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Donate” color=”warning” align=”center” css=”” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Finterland3.donorperfect.net%2Fweblink%2Fweblink.aspx%3Fname%3DE342892%26id%3D151|target:_blank”][mk_padding_divider][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1721889031042{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]
New Staff Member spotlight: Please allow us to introduce Rebecca (Becky) Ndombi, our US Philanthropic Advisor. If you are based in the US and support our efforts, Becky is available to speak with you and help you join our efforts to make an impact in conservation. Becky can be reached at becky@vicfallswildlifetrust.
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