SABLE IN CAPTIVITY

A herd of 160 Sable have been held captive in small enclosures just outside Harare since February 2002. The reason for their captivity is that they are subject to a legal battle. Two prominent black Zimbabweans allegedly struck a deal to sell these Sable, which were confiscated from a conservancy during the land grab, to a South African. The deal went sour and there is now a court order preventing the release or relocation of the animals.

In November 2002 a vet inspected the animals and reported that 26 had died since their capture and the condition of the remaining Sable was not good. They were malnourished and had developed excessive growth on their hooves, which had also become infected due to their confinement.

The ZCTF assisted a veterinary team to tranquilize the Sable and treat their hooves, with the help of a donation of Z$ 200 000,00 from Barbara Elsworth, however, the head vet used 2 million dollars worth of his own medical supplies. An appeal has gone out to try and raise the money to reimburse him.

The ZCTF visited the enclosure on the 2nd January 2003 and confirmed that the Sable were still there.

Sable undergoing treatment.

An enclosure just outside Harare where the animals have been kept for a year.