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NEWS
SBRT TRUSTEES REPORT 2016
During this year we have seen a continued and serious increase in the poaching of rhino in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. Last year 1,338 rhinos were killed by poachers in Africa. This has been carried out by professional gangs of armed poachers with trade connections who kill the rhino and smuggle the rhino horn to the Far East where it is sold for a high price.
In the Midlands Conservancy on the night of 11th September 2015 Tangarira, our aged bull rhino, was killed by poachers with one shot to the head and his horns chopped off. We have since dehorned our three remaining adult rhino.
We have had great news that Tendai had a baby female rhino calf on the night of the 18th of May 2016 and Ronda has also had a female calf on 12th august 2016. Both these calves are doing well.
Our conservator, Dave Strydom is carrying out all our anti-poaching security and the monitoring of our rhino and is doing an excellent job in catching poachers, but sadly when it comes to the Law Courts, the criminals seem to avoid punishment or only get small fines.
The Education Centre has continued its success with its outreach programmes and has become a focal point for environmental education in the area. We are giving financial support to the building of the Rhino Secondary School near to Pauldale primary school. We have launched a number of micro-finance projects to encourage local women to start-up in their own profitable enterprises and they are doing well.
Following the general election, which showed a surprising support for the 93 year old President Mugabe and his ZANU PF party there is considerable squabbling amongst politicians of all parties over succession - once President Mugabe has left office.
The introduction of indigenisation to force businesses to hand over 51% of their shares has created great uncertainty among businesses but it does not affect our charity. The government is now bankrupt and has defaulted on all major international loans and has difficulty in paying wages and salaries to its own government officials.
For financial security we use the main International Banks for the transfer of funds to Zimbabwe The trustees were satisfied that there were no serious incidents or other matters which they should have brought to the attention of the Charity Commission.
John Gripper OBE B.Sc MRCVS
Chairman of Trustees
March 2017
THE BEST NEWS EVER
Tendai has given birth to a little female calf. She was born on the 19th May. The Monitors found her and her calf in the very thick thorn scrub. She charged at them immediately and on investigation they discovered her calf. I went along to confirm her birth and she continued to charge at the slightest sound and smell and she took off with her baby. We moved off to a safe distance to monitor her. Mrs Doreen Sibanda asked if she could name our new addition and her name is Togara which means To Stay.
LATE NEWS
Ronda had a rhino calf on the 12th of August 2016. The newborn calf is female and will be called Rachel to follow the Rs with her grandmother being Rosalind.
All our Rhino are in good health.
Dave Strydom
Consevator
Latest news
The SBRT has published one newsletter per year that is available as a pdf file through the links below. This has now been replaced by an annual report. In addition, the page is used to convey urgent news or announcements as and when a need arises. It also provides links to partner organisations that support our actions or which have actions that we support.