Intenational Anti Poaching Foundation

Subcategories

• IAPF Zimbabwe

  The IAPF sets out its mission in Zimbabwe

  Despite the negative press that Zimbabwe receives around the world it is still a captivating destination that simply has to be seen to be believed. Areas that have maintained wildlife protection efforts are some of the most spectacular in the world and must not be ruled out as a holiday destination. However some areas that have not been able to maintain sufficient anti poaching units have been decimated.

  Ten years of economic oppression and instability has painted a picture where poachers have been free to slaughter wildlife by the masses. The magnitude of the devastation caused by the demand for ivory and bush meat from the area is unprecedented. Poaching with snares is indiscriminate, with old taboos against eating certain animals forgotten about as the supply of wildlife dwindles.

  Many sources estimate that overall up to 70 per cent of Zimbabwe’s wildlife has vanished. In some areas it has been recorded as high as 83 per cent overall. Once one of the worlds premiere wildlife havens, it now faces an enormous conservational challenge. The IAPF is determined to be a part of the change that is required here. Through direct action and community based education the IAPF is confident the tides can be swung in affected regions.

  From its beginnings in Zimbabwe the IAPF is now stretching out abroad to where the services are also required. Daily requests come in from around the world for these services but unfortunately we can only do so much at one time. We have anti-poaching systems that work, but unfortunately cannot keep up with the funding required to implement these systems everywhere. Chad, Zambia, Botswana, Congo, India, Sumatra, Russia and Namibia are just a few of the countries requesting assistance from IAPF. Let’s hope that in the future we can source the funding to deliver our training for free, to all the rangers of the world that protect our wildlife.