Countryside Management Association News

Three rangers with the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority drowned in May whilst carrying out anti-poaching and rhino monitoring patrols at Lake Mutirikwi Recreation Park. The rangers were Peter Mapfumo, 26, Mujovani Tafara, 29, and Tigere Donald, 21. The Wildlife Authority received a report on May 25th from a ranger who said that two bodies were floating in the lake at Pioneer Bay. The matter was quickly reported to both the parks regional manager and the police. No foul play is suspected. It appears that the rangers might have rowed on the lake in a canoe that was not fit for use, as there was evidence that the men might have tried to fix the canoe before launching it into the lake. Operations on the lake were not part of the patrol plan. The Authority has since provided burial assistance to the bereaved families, including caskets, food and transportation of the bodies of the deceased. This tragedy follows an incident earlier in May when a Parks official was trampled to death by an elephant he had attempted to cull at Lake Kariba.
Roger Cole; CMA International Adviser