Posted Feb 19, 2008
Farewell to Tusker!
A few weeks ago I had just sat down to write this newsletter, to tell you all about the marvellous Xmas we had in Zimbabwe at Lake Kariba, and how we spend our time watching Tusker an Elephant and his mates just infront of our chalet, when I received an urgent petition asking as many people to sign it to prevent Tusker from being shot. I would like to thank all of you who responded so quickly to try and help with this situation. Sadly they had sent this letter out too late as he was shot the day before. We were absolutely mortified!
For years we have been going to stay at Wild Heritage at Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe and one of the main reasons we love going there is the game and particularly the elephants walk freely past your chalet. We have watched Tusker and five other bull elephants browse on the trees in front of us and we have seen Tusker come and drink out of the swimming pools Sadly it seemed that Tusker had got a great taste for human food . A campsite called Chirarara, down the road from Wild Heritage, has a large New Year’s Eve party every year. From all accounts Tusker decided to join in! Speaking to someone who was there, and who was also anti Tusker being shot saw him taking peri peri chicken off the barbeque; squash cooler boxes and destroyed tents in his search for food. He put his tusk through the back windscreen of a car and smashed the glass and was then seen pulling out fuel containers, clothing and anything that was inedible and tossed it out . Tusker then proceeded to devour the food he found in the car. He squashed a few cars and trailers in his attempt to find more food.
Sadly there were also drunken youths that threw bottles at him and tried to pull the hair out of his tail. It would be only a matter of time before someone was killed. National Parks did try and re-translocate him to Hwange National Park last year which proved unsuccessful . Sadly they decided to put him down.
I personally disagree that a big party is held in a National Park area where game move around freely. People are the cause of all this as someone must have started feeding Tusker at one point for him to get such a craving for human food. I sincerely hope that Tusker’s companions don’t fall in same trap!
News from Derek Solomon (South Luangwa National Park)
In November 2007 saw the start of our Animals in Action week - 20 guests from all parts of the world gathered at Mfuwe Lodge to enjoy presentations and field outings with the various specialists including TV personalities Jonathan and Angela Scott from Kenya and UK wildlife artist Jonathan Truss.
The weather couldn't have been better other than one mid morning shower on day 1 that caught everyone on the way back from a sumptuous bush breakfast. The brief rains prior to the function had turned much of the Park emerald green and the animals were making the most of the new grass growth.
The first presentation on elephant behaviour by Derek Solomon was interrupted by the arrival of three large bulls coming to feed on the wild mangoes falling from the massive tree next to the lecture room. As if on cue, they demonstrated some of the behaviours under discussion. From then on the bulls or the breeding herd led by matriarch Wonky Tusk came through the lodge every day, sometimes twice, giving everyone fantastic photo opportunities and an exceptional wildlife experience.
Jonathan and Angela Scott were one of the major highlights of the week giving amazing illustrated presentations on photo techniques and the making of their TV series "Big Cat Diary". Each day a different group of guests went out with the Scott's to learn more about practical wildlife photography and during "siesta time" they were on hand to help everyone with their cameras and photo techniques. One guest said "I have learned more about camera use from 30 minutes with Jonathan that I have done during the past five years attending photo courses".
On one evening drive the Scott group was lucky enough to find a pair of mating leopards and on the last morning everyone was able to spend time photographing a pack of wild dogs. Lions, more leopards, buffalo, hippos by the dozen, giraffe and a host of smaller mammals - including many tiny impala lambs on wobbly legs - were all on the menu for everyone to see. Birding highlights included a Pel's Fishing Owl at the lagoon in front of the lodge, flocks of brilliantly coloured Lilian's Lovebirds and a Western Banded Snake Eagle. Literally hundreds of photos were taken at both of the Carmine Bee-eater breeding colonies near the lodge but the mega-tick, however, for a small group of birding enthusiasts was an African Pitta displaying in a tall tree in a patch of dense woodland in an area known fondly as the "pitta patch
A presentation on the history of the Park by Phil Berry gave an insight into his extraordinary life during the early days leading up to his time with the Save the Rhino Trust before joining The Bushcamp Company to run their Kuyenda Bushcamp.
Each morning a different group went on a walk with Manda Chisanga to learn about the use of the trees and other vegetation followed by his fascinating talk on medicinal and traditional uses of the plants of the Valley.
There was no siesta time for wildlife artist Jonathan Truss as he worked on a stunning oil painting of two elephant bulls in the river, sold by auction at the end of the week to raise funds for SLCS.
An important part of the program was a visit to the South Luangwa Conservation Society (SLCS) base to meet some of the scouts and CEO Rachel McRobb, and learn about some of the poaching problems in the areas surrounding the Park. The group then went on to Chiwawatala School and were entertained by singing & dancing children - ably assisted by one of our guests! The morning was rounded off with a shopping spree at Tribal Textiles and the day ended with the excellent play 'Kusanga' performed by the local SEKA (Sensitisation and Education through Kunda Arts) theatre group.
Whats Happening in the Farming World in Zambia
You might have been seeing from the press that Central and Southern Africa are experiencing a La Nina and it has been pouring with rain .
Apparently Livingstone had the highest rainfall its had in December in a 100 years. Lusaka normally gets 800 ml for the season which takes us into April and we have already had over 1000ml and some people we could expect 1600 ml to 2000 ml for the season.
The rain is causing havoc for tobacco farmers in Zambia and particularly soya bean farmers whose crops are under water .Commodities in all markets had a dip in sympathy with the world stock exchanges but most have bounced back. The local continuing rains are a concern for those farmers with late crops, soyas and tobacco. Concerns are now that the flue cured tobacco crop could fall below 14 million kilos. Burley and flue cured tobacco throughout the region is fairing badly with the rains and the burley crops in Eastern Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique especially badly hit. Commodity prices are firm but individual inputs costs such as fertilizer are outstripping the gains in cost. Equally so is the costs of cereals and soyas impacting on white and to a lesser extent red meat.
Demand remains strong however, for grains, oilseeds and livestock products with wheat hitting US$512/T on ZAMACE this week.
Price indicators for chicken US$2.7 per kilogram frozen and live cattle selling at $2.7 per kilogram.
Raiders of the Night!
Hyenas are causing havoc on Zambezi Ranching and Cropping Company, only 26 km from the Lusaka main airport. They mysterious raiders have been coming in at night and have been killing calves. ZAWA (Zambian Animal Welfare Authority) and Ranch Managers have not been able to shoot or trap these allusive killers.
CHANGES TO VISA ENTRY FEES INTO ZAMBIA
Effective 26 January 2008 the Visa Waiver Scheme is scrapped and all visitors have to pay the full visa fee.
All visitors are required to purchase a tourist visa. Please visit the Zambian Immigration Website for full information. This site has not yet been updated with the new rates which were introduced on 26 Jan 2008. For guidance, the visa rates for single entry are:
| Nationality | Visa Fees |
| British | GBP75/USD140 |
| USA | USD 135 |
| Canada | USD 55 |
| Other (where fees are charged) | USD 50 |
Although the new rates are being enforced already, they have not been approved by parliament and it is important that all visitors to Zambia are advised that we expect the tourism industry to lobby this decision and the rate your clients are charged on entry may be different.
take care
Ian and Daphne Lindsay
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