WILDLIFE HORROR STORIES

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It is estimated that game ranches have lost between 80% and 90% of wildlife to poachers and the larger conservancies, have lost around 60%. Some game ranchers have reported that they do not have a single animal left.

Some of these game ranches and conservancies are home to endangered species. The poachers do not discriminate between endangered and common species. The Painted Dog, an endangered species previously hand reared on a conservancy in Gwayi near Victoria Falls, has been totally eliminated.

On a conservancy in Matabeleland, it is estimated that almost 50% of their Black Rhino, also an endangered species, has been slaughtered by so called " war vets ".

In many cases, wild animals are caught in wire snares and left to die an agonizing lingering death. Very often the perpetrators do not return to the snares to collect the meat - they merely leave it to rot. What could possibly be the purpose of this madness?

One method used by war vets/poachers to capture and kill animals is to force an animal into a corner, utilizing hunting dogs. Once the animal is cornered the poachers spear it with assegais which are made from metal rods stolen from bore holes. Frequently, the terrified animal frantically tries to escape with the embedded spears protruding from its body. It tries to run between the trees but the assegais prevent it from moving any further. In a desperate attempt to free itself, it pushes through the trees causing the assegais to tear its insides out.