The IAPF through sponsorship has been able to assist with the training and equipping of rangers from around the area.

Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and has been designated a World Heritage Site under UNESCO. The Falls are surrounded by the 2,340 ha Victoria Falls National Park and the 57,000ha Zambezi National Park. These state-protected areas are home to numerous species of fauna and flora, which, through recent times have unfortunately been subject to a dramatic increase in various forms of poaching.

LOCAL ANTI POACHING INITIATIVE

Charles Brightman, a local safari operator and conservationist, together with the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, established the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit in January 1999 in an effort to fight the alarming levels of destruction that were taking place. Having started off with three scouts initially, the unit has grown in strength and now has sixteen full-time scouts actively patrolling an area of approximately fifty square kilometres surrounding Victoria Falls. Their patrols operate seven days a week as they endeavour to combat poaching in all its various forms. VFAPU personnel comprise of ex-commercial security guards and ex game scouts from Parks and Wildlife Management Authority.

Working with the appropriate authorities, VFAPU has been able to achieve many positive results, thanks to past and present support from various stakeholders and supporters. During 2009, a total of 394 were snares were removed from the bush and a total of 436 poachers were apprehended within their operational area. Through our darting programme, VFAPU was able to dart and treat a number of mammals that sustained injuries due to wire snares from poachers.

Unfortunately, during 2009, 23 buffalo, 5 elephant, 3 giraffe, 5 eland, 3 sable, 6 kudu, 6 warthogs, 7 impala and 1 lion were poached in areas surrounding Victoria Falls.

To learn more about VFAPU please visit their website at www.vfapu.org