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ZIMBABWE is attracting unwanted attention from international poaching syndicates targeting its abundant wildlife and authorities need to be vigilant to curb the scourge. Tough measures need to be put in place to stop the lucrative illicit trade in ivory which has seen at least 55 elephants being killed in the Hwange National Park through cyanide poisoning since early 2015. Twenty-two of the jumbos were discovered on October 25, with three ivory tusks missing.

A close knit syndicate involving senior figures and foreigners is behind the poaching and we are glad that the noose is tightening on it with a comprehensive audit in the offing to flush out all culprits. The Sunday News yesterday quoted Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri as saying investigators were combing the wildlife sector for clues on the latest elephant killings in Hwange and the probe had been expanded to include Parks employees.

Last week, The Sunday Mail reported that the poaching syndicate involved senior police and Parks officials working in cahoots with Asian nationals. This lends credence to suspicions that criminals in China and other countries in the Far East are fuelling poaching to feed the voracious appetite for ivory in that region.

What is exacerbating the situation is that they are pouring huge sums of money into this trade and poorly resourced rangers and other security agencies tasked with protecting our wildlife find themselves at the mercy of poachers.

It does not help matters that most low level employees of the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority are poorly remunerated and the temptation to give in to the demands of poaching syndicates is high. Two years ago, an unprecedented number of elephants were killed in the Hwange National Park using cyanide but authorities quickly clamped down on the practice and restored normalcy.

The syndicates are back with a vengeance and Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri has assured the nation that they are on top of the situation. “We’re pulling all the stops to deal with (poaching via cyanide poisoning). Information at hand shows cyanide is being smuggled from Zambia and South Africa.

“We’ve information on how these syndicates are operating, and the net is closing in as we speak. A joint operation is in progress, with a lot of work already done to bring the culprits to book.”

She added: “What I want to make clear is that we’re going to change a lot of things in the wildlife industry. There are going to be serious reforms. We’re going to factor in all issues, starting from the bosses down to the rangers. We’re, therefore, going to conduct an audit to get to the bottom of the matter.

“It’s clear that the system is not watertight. We had a situation where numbered elephants were killed, so this shows the system is not tight.”

The minister said top Parks officials were splurging funds on themselves instead of operations personnel, primarily rangers and conservationists and a major shake-up was looming in the game sector, with hi-tech conservation techniques and animal product value-addition among targeted initiatives.

“We’re unhappy that money realised by the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is being spent on the bosses, but not rangers. It appears the money is not being invested in wildlife but luxuries.

“I’m concerned, for example that the boss of Hwange National Park actually resides in Bulawayo. This is an example that casts doubt on whether they’re committed to duty or just their lavish lifestyles.”

“Further, our concern is that (the authority) is not providing the right treatment and working conditions to rangers. It doesn’t make sense that their working conditions are deplorable. These rangers are not paid bush allowances; they lack basics like tents and food, ambulances and schools; and their salaries are low, too.

“So it’s easy for them to be tempted to get into poaching. Our call is that those involved in poaching syndicates should be jailed for 20 years. We’ve had situations where some of these poachers are fined US$300 and left to walk scotfree. They end up going back to their crime, killing even more animals.”

We agree with the Minister that Parks officials should prioritise the welfare of rangers and stop splurging money on themselves. Authorities need to redouble their efforts to contain poaching. It is clear that syndicates are receiving assistance from our border agencies in transporting their cargo out of the country. We need to tighten security at all entry and exit points. We also need to enlist the assistance of the various embassies of the countries where our ivory is being shipped. We reported last week that two men travelling from Zimbabwe were intercepted in Hong Kong with 36kg of ivory products and it is time the Chinese government is brought into the fight against this illicit trade.