NOW PUBLIC INTERVIEW: ZCTF Talk Rhino in Zimbabwe

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At a time when it appears that all of the news coming from Zimbabwe has been about cholera, elections, politicking, the money crisis, and the repression; the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force was working to help one of the rhinos in Imiree Safari Ranch.

I have the honour of inviting Johnny Rodrigues of the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force to talk about this venture for Now Public and its readers:

1.      Taking into account the situation in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Zimbabwe. How were the El Paso Rhinos Hockey Team able to help the ZCTF go to Johannesburg, South Africa and find food for Tatenda [one of the rhinos]?

The El Paso Rhinos donated money. We used the money to travel to Johannesburg and buy the food which is not available in Zimbabwe.

2. How much food does a Rhino need to sustain life?

A baby rhino normally drinks milk from its mother until the age of two. As Tatenda's mother was killed by poachers when he was only 6 weeks old, we have to buy milk for him to replace his mother's milk. Without that, he will die. Until the age of 2, he needs about 50kg of fat free skimmed milk powder per month. He will be 2 in November this year and then he won't need the milk any more. He also eats about 40 or 50 kg of game cubes per month. He won't die without these but they are very good for him and they keep him healthy.

3. How does Tatenda get along with Shamu and Hogwash [the other two Rhinos]?

Hogwash is not a rhino - she is a warthog. She was orphaned around the same time as Tatenda so they have been together since they were very small and they are now inseparable. From shortly after they were born, they have been sleeping together in the same pen and Hogwash follows Tatenda everywhere. Shanu is a 4 year old female and Tatenda was only introduced to her a few months ago. When they met, it was like love at first sight. They all get on very well together.

4. What is the average life span for a Rhino?

35 to 45 years

5. Please feel free to talk about the Imiree Safari Ranch for the readers of Now Public.

A visit to Imire Safari Ranch is an unforgettable experience. There are beautiful thatched chalets to stay in and the food is very good. During the day, you can go on game drives and see many beautiful animals like rhino, elephants, kudu, sable, eland, zebra, giraffe. impala, lions, hyenas and nyala. At lunch time, you are taken into the game park where there is a lovely picnic area overlooking a dam. The lunch is served outdoors and whilst you are eating, the elephants come and play in the water. When they are finished swimming, they come into the picnic site to meet the people. You can touch them and feed them. You will then be taken to meet Nzou, an elephant who is the leader of a herd of buffalo. Nzou thinks she is a buffalo and she is very protective over her herd. Imire gives you the unique opportunity of having very close contact with wild animals and I would recommend it very highly.

6. How is the Imiree Safari Ranch at the present time?

It is doing very well.

7. Are there any other ranches that ZCTF monitor or have contact with?

We mainly deal with Imire but there is also Bally Vaughan Wildlife sanctuary. This is a wildlife orphanage. Sick or orphaned animals are taken there and once they are strong enough, they are released back into the wild. It is also a wonderful place to visit.

8. Will this be an ongoing process? Finding food in Johannesburg, South Africa for the Rhinos?

We will have to keep supplying the milk for Tatenda until the end of this year but the supply of game cubes is ongoing. If we find more orphaned baby rhinos, then we will have to supply them with milk as well.

9. Are the Rhinos receiving medical care in the Imiree Safari Ranch?

Yes. John and Judy Travers, who own the ranch care for the animals. If they are not able to deal with any medical condition themselves, they call in the wildlife veterinary surgeons to assist.

www.zctf.mweb.co.zw

I would like to thank Johnny Rodrigues and Zimbabwe Coinservation Task Force for coming to give some good news from Zimbabwe for Now Public. For the rest, this is Roberto Alvarez-Galloso for Now Public until next time