THE HERALD (Harare, Zimbabwe) 25 January 06 12 Crocs Die of Starvation (Tsitsi Matope)
Harare: At least 12 crocodiles have died of starvation on a farm in Serui, near Chegutu, while another 258 are close to death after going without food since November last year.
Malham Farm was allocated to Zimbabwe Tourism Authority chief executive officer Mr Karikoga Kaseke on November 3 last year.
Mr Kaseke yesterday confirmed that he was allocated the farm but said he could not move in without an official offer letter.
"I was shown the farm early in December but I have not received an offer letter yet. I had placed some guards there but later withdrew their services."
Officials from the Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ZNSPCA) yesterday rescued the surviving crocodiles and took them for feeding and treatment at Pangula Farm near Chikurubi Maximum Prison.
The state of the four-year-old crocodiles, which were being kept in four dry ponds, is heart-rending with some showing signs of serious skin damage following lengthy exposure to the sun.
The emaciated state of the rescued crocodiles was in sharp contrast to the two-year-old counterparts at Pangula, which appear much bigger and healthier.
Workers at the farm said the crocodiles were last fed on baby chicken last December.
"We last fed the crocodiles last month because when we requested for their food nothing came," one of the workers said.
The ZNSPCA Mashonaland West and Midlands Regional Inspector, Mr Jimmy Zuze, said his organisation came to know about the crocodiles after one of the workers called to tell the reptiles were succumbing to hunger.
He said after visiting the farm and getting a first-hand account of their situation, he tried to advise the workers on what to do to improve the health of the crocodiles.
"I requested to meet with the owner of the farm, who I was told was Mr Kaseke after I had visited the farm again and saw that the crocodiles were still dying mainly due to lack of food and a non-habitable environment," Mr Zuze said.
After his attempts to meet Mr Kaseke proved futile, he wrote him a letter.
"Nothing came out of the warning letter until we informed Parks and Wildlife Management Authority about the issue. We found a place to put them for safe keeping while we provide them with food and expertise on how to improve their condition from Parks," Mr Zuze said.
Yesterday Mr Kaseke said when he was shown the farm, he had spoken with a relative of the former owner whom he gave permission to continue with the crocodile farming while he waited for his offer letter.
"I cannot move onto that farm without an offer letter. Neither can I claim it to be officially my property without documents supporting that," Mr Kaseke said.
Environment and Tourism Minister Cde Francis Nhema yesterday said cruelty to animals was a serious offence that warranted a custodial sentence.
"We, however, know that wildlife farming is a new venture for many people and we always encourage those with no knowledge to nurture the animals to seek help from Parks," Cde Nhema said.
He said, considering billions of dollars were generated through crocodile farming, it was sad to hear that so many had been left to starve to death.
"Crocodile farming is one of the most lucrative businesses in the aquatic and wildlife sector that brings in a significant amount of foreign currency, creates employment and brings in the aspect of appreciation and knowledge of the species behaviour."
Parks public relations manager Retired Major Edward Mbewe said when the crocodiles reached slaughtering stage, they each fetched up to US$1 500.
He said the authority was now checking the land records to establish who actually owned the farm so they can invoke the Parks and Wildlife Management Act.
"We need to find out if the owner had permits or if no one owns the farm we will recommend that the crocodiles be looked after by the State. All animals belong to the State."
He said anyone found engaging in wildlife farming without a licence was required to pay up to $20 million to secure a permit and a fine of $100 000 for each animal.
"We are going to further inspect the farm and whoever owns it has to apply for a permit and demonstrate that he has the necessary knowledge and facilities to look after the crocodiles before we can release them."
12 Crocs Die of Starvation