ZAMCON is a conservation operation tailor-made for Zimbabwe. Working in the Zambezi Valley, ZAMCON will cover an area of around 200 square kilometers with 60 kilometers of river frontage along the Zambezi River on the international border with Zambia. The entire area falls within the boundaries of National Parks land.
Blake Muil, a Professional Guide with 30 years’ experience working in every sector of the wildlife industry in Zimbabwe, will be the man on the ground in the Zambezi Valley. Blake has an impeccable reputation, is known for his very high ethics, standards and principles and has a vast knowledge of the flora and fauna of the Zambezi Valley. Blake has well established long-term relations with National Parks, local communities, officials and other operators in the area.
Cathy Buckle, a well-known Zimbabwean author and long-standing current affairs writer will undertake data capture and analysis resulting from biodiversity monitoring undertaken by ZAMCON. Cathy will document, communicate, publicize and promote the work of ZAMCON, undertake fund raising and assist in crafting a conservation model which can be replicated around Zimbabwe.
The cornerstone operations of ZAMCON
1. Anti-poaching patrols will be conducted throughout the ZAMCON area of operation. Game Scouts will be collected and deployed by ZAMCON based on information from National Parks.
With support of ZAMCON, Scouts will camp out in the bush, monitor and track in areas where poaching is detected.
2. Three-night conservation courses, unique to ZAMCON, will be run while camped out in the wild with children, their parents and National Parks Scouts. Together they will learn about tracking, survival skills, making fire, finding and boiling water and navigating in the wilderness. Camping out in the bush with Blake and the Parks Scouts, participants will sit around the camp fire at night learning about how and why we conserve and the importance of looking after animals and their natural environment. Promoting mutual respect between children, their parents and National Parks staff is a founding principle of ZAMCON.
3. Biodiversity monitoring and continual recording of flora and fauna throughout the ZAMCON areas of operation will be undertaken to provide critical data base information, collated for the use of National Parks and independent research purposes.
4. Boat Patrols will be undertaken along the Zambezi River shoreline to curtail netting and depletion of fish populations. Shoreline clean-up operations will take place involving community participation, collecting and removing plastic and teaching volunteers about conservation activities.
5. Engaging with local communities, ZAMCON will assist with human/animal conflict and encourage innovative crop raiding prevention using natural means. Combined meetings with local communities, National Parks and local Councils will help to engender a comprehensive understanding by villagers on the ground in recognizing and benefitting from the value of the animals in their areas.
6. Engaging with schools in local communities, ZAMCON will educate youngsters about conservation.
We will identify children who want to get involved, assisting and nurturing them so they later use their knowledge and expertise in Zimbabwe’s wildlife conservation.
ZAMCON has already got: A boat for river patrols. Tents, stretchers and camping equipment needed for Scouts on extended bush trips.
Mobile deep freezes to carry food, water and drinks for Game Scouts.
Portable electric fencing for security around bush camps and invertors for lights at night.
What we need to get up and running is a vehicle. This has been identified, is in excellent condition with low mileage, fitted with bars, benches and a winch and is ready for use in the field. The situation on the ground in the Zambezi Valley is dire.
We are looking for US$28,000 /£23,000. Donations can be made via the link at Cathy’s website, www.cathybckle.co.zw or bank transfer to Cathy Buckle at:
Lloyds Bank Guernsey, MRS C. M. BUCKLE, Acc # 10415268, Sort code 30-93-73
IBAN GB29LOYD30937310415268 SWIFT LOYDGB2L BIC LOYDGGS1001
For further information on ZAMCON please contact Cathy Buckle on [email protected] or via WhatsApp on +263773170529.
ZAMCON Hands-on, ethical conservation.