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Leonard Ncube and Fairness Moyana in Gwayi
THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority yesterday said Cecil’s “orphaned” cubs are safe in the jungle, dismissing fears they will be killed.

Cecil’s brother Jericho was also alive and well despite weekend reports that he had been shot and killed by an American hunter.

Parks and Wildlife acting director for conservation Arthur Musakwa led a delegation from the authority to a meeting with wildlife farmers in Gwayi yesterday in the wake of the death of Cecil early last month which shook the world.

The meeting was meant to map a way forward on the future of conservancy in the country in light of revelations that well orchestrated illegal hunting activities are taking place in the country.

Musakwa told The Chronicle after the meeting that there was no need to panic as the cubs were in the safe custody of Jericho, Cecil’s brother, contrary to reports that he (Jericho) had been shot on Saturday afternoon.

Musakwa said ecologists would continue to monitor the cubs.

“The cubs are safe in the jungle. Our checks showed that there were seven cubs that are with Cecil’s brother Jericho. Jericho’s GPS shows that he is still moving which shows he is alive and that means the cubs are safe as well,” said Musakwa.

On Saturday, foreign media was awash with reports that Jericho had been shot dead at 4PM.

Musakwa said the authority was investigating the illegal killing of a lion at a farm in the area but the victim was not Jericho.

The lion was killed by an American hunter at Railway Farm 31 owned by Headman Sibanda.

“Investigations are underway to establish circumstances surrounding the killing of another lion at around the same time also by an American hunter,” said Musakwa.

He said Cecil’s cubs were safe and under the protection of Jericho.

“The cubs will not be killed. Jericho has taken over the territory, if he had been weak, he could be dead now.

“We’re happy that Jericho is moving on and has hooked up with a female lioness called Ketty. That means the cubs are fine and we will keep monitoring them,” Musakwa said.

American dentist-cum hunter Walter James Palmer, whom Zimbabwe is seeking to extradite from the United States, used a bow and arrow to shoot Cecil after luring him out of his protected area.

A professional hunter is reported to have finished him off with a rifle.

“In view of recent illegal wildlife activities, it has become necessary for the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to further tighten hunting regulations on private land.

“The purpose of this meeting is to come up with additional measures to safeguard this industry. The whole idea is to have self monitoring systems and be vigilant so there could be a viable business while at the same time protecting our inheritance for future generations,” Musakwa said.

He said there was a need for people to be vigilant, adding that the Gwayi biodiversity was still viable despite losing Cecil.

“Our tourism is wildlife-based and we still have a lot of it,’ Musakwa added.

Gwayi Farmers Association chairman Mark Russel said they were prepared to work with the Parks and Wildlife Authority in fighting illegal activities.

“We’re trying to put in place additional mechanisms that will help curb such incidents in future as we map a way forward.

“This meeting was productive and we appreciate the recommendations forwarded by farmers as they aren’t only for Gwayi but for the industry as a whole,” he said.

Russel said mobile anti-poaching units had been established in the area and they had reduced incidents of illegal hunting.

Farmers suggested the need for quarterly meetings with Parks and Wildlife officials to fight illegal activities.

They proposed that the authority should come up with pre and post hunt forms to ensure adherence to procedure by all parties.

The farmers suggested that regular workshops on conservation and hunting and the creation of a code of conduct to be signed by all hunting parties, would alleviate the problem.