Zimbabwe Seven

Category: Uncategorized | Date: Jul 14 2009 | By: zimbabwe7

Dear Readers

It has been ages since we were last in touch with you all. SORRY! The past weeks have been hectic with one thing and another, but primarily our Workshop of Welfare of Wildlife in Captivity. This has been a long time in coming. By now you are aware that I have a ‘few’ very strong opinions when it comes to animals! What we as human have and continue to subject these magnificent and innocent creatures too is just too barbaric for words. My belief is that if you have a belief and in some way can then put it into action – then that is what you have to do! Time in Africa seems to operate at a different rate to perhaps my mental timetable, so with persistence, last week we held what I hope to be one of our first Welfare of Wildlife in Captivity workshops. The main objective behind this workshop was to get the authorities our Department of National Parks to address the pressing issues of cruelty cases of animals who are in appalling conditions here in Zimbabwe. I suppose in a way to take responsibility of the situation and correct the wrongs as much as one can. The outcome was fantastic and very encouraging. Support came from all angles and we had had a very enjoyable workshop, with discussions, heavy debates and interacting with one another and sharing knowledge!

On the 7 & 8 July 2009, the Tikki Hywood Trust co-ordinated and conducted a workshop to introduce the fundamental principles of caring for wild life in captivity.

Before I go any further into the objectives and reasons behind why we felt that this workshop was so important to be held, we must first extend gratitude to the following people; Roxy Danckwerts of Chedgelow Farm who not only allowed us to hold the workshop at her beautiful home, but we were able to use her animals in a practical manner which made a huge impact on the trainee inspectors. Secondly is our Department of Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, for their support in getting the 16 participants to the workshop, as well as for believing that this type of information exchange is now a vital issue which needs to be addressed in our country.

There is a worldwide debate on animal welfare in captivity. It is a very sensitive issue, and one I do believe Zimbabwe has an obligation to address. The reason behind this workshop introducing wildlife welfare in captivity, is because like minded people have come together to address the ever mounting concerns developing when it comes to this issue.

In order to address this issue we have to understand what it is! So what is animal welfare?

I believe animal welfare is the ethical responsibility of ensuring animal well-being. Animal well-being is the condition in which animals experience good health, are able to effectively cope with their environment, and are able to express a diversity of species-typical behaviours. Protecting an animal’s welfare means providing for its physical and mental needs.

Ensuring animal welfare is a human responsibility that includes consideration for all aspects of animal well-being; proper housing, management, nutrition, disease prevention and treatment, responsible care, humane handling, and, when necessary, humane euthanasia.

There are numerous perspectives on animal welfare that are influenced by a person’s values and experiences. There are also various means of measuring animal welfare, including (but not limited to) health, productivity, behaviour, and physiological responses. Animals must be provided with the correct water, food, proper handling, health care, and an environment appropriate to their care and use, with thoughtful consideration for their species-typical biology and behaviour.

• Animals should be cared for in ways that minimize fear, pain, stress, and suffering.
• Procedures related to animal housing, management, care, and use should be continuously evaluated, and when indicated, refined or replaced.
• Conservation and management of animal populations should be humane, socially responsible, and scientifically prudent.
• Animals shall be treated with respect and dignity throughout their lives and, when necessary, provided a humane death.

In short the above has been the outline of what we spoke about on the course. From my point of view, I believe that the course had an amazing effect all around. Most importantly it created awareness and gave options to existing and potential problems facing wildlife in captivity here in Zimbabwe.
What has arisen from our discussions throughout the workshop is the fact that just between two captive facilities here in Zimbabwe there are 103 lions in captivity, whose futures now lie in the balance! Those numbers are horrific, if one has to look at the economic state of the country and the amount of food and care that 103 lions are going to require.

As a result of this workshop, the inspectors will take this newly found knowledge and apply it in working situations where wildlife is kept in captivity throughout the country. Hopefully, this will unify our efforts to bring standards of captivity to the same level in Zimbabwe across the board and alleviate unnecessary pain and suffering. Furthermore, it will prove that we, as Zimbabweans, are conscientious about our wild heritage, regardless of our positions within private, public or institutional facilities.

 See below : Exceptional handling facilities at Chedgelow Farm