Snake poacher fined and imprisoned in Zimbabwe

As first appeared in Zim Morning Post, here. Written by Farayi Machamire.

December 23 2023

Pythons are listed as specially protected species in the southern African nation

Anti-poaching Tracking Specialists team and K-9 unit sniffed out and apprehended the poacher.

I

mage by Anti-Poaching Tracking Specialists.

A man from Chipinge in southeastern Zimbabwe has been slapped with substantial fines and a prison sentence after being found guilty of trespassing and poaching a python in the Chipinge Safari Area.

Mwari Mapakame was found guilty on three charges when he appeared before Magistrate Alfred Chinembiri in mid December 2022, including trespassing, poaching a python, which is a specially protected reptile animal, and using an unlawful firearm.

Mapakame received a six-month sentence for trespassing that was completely suspended for five years.

Chipinge Safari Area received compensation in the amount of US$3,500 (£2,824).

On poaching a python, he was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, with six months suspended for five years. 18 months effective immediately.

The python skin was turned over to the State while the accused was to pay an amount of US$2,000 (£1,614) as compensation to Chipinge Safari Area.

For use of an unauthorised firearm, Mapakame was fined Z$40,000 (£100). If in default and he fails to pay before December 30, he would serve one month imprisonment.

The rifle and ammunition was forfeited to the State.

The matter came to light after Anti-poaching Tracking Specialists led a reaction team to the adjacent Rhino Intensive Protect Zone, Chipinge Safari Area, leading to the arrest of Mapakame.

This came after two shots had been fired and unaccounted for.

“The lead dog team was mobilised, and we prepared for night operations, leaving base under the cover of darkness, the rangers arrived at Chipinge (Safari Area) well before dawn and joined forces with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority stationed there,” ATS said in a statement.

“In just over one hour of detection, K9 ‘Justice’ picked up the scent. On track for a further four hours, a single poacher, armed with a shotgun, was apprehended at 09.10AM, with the canine immobilising the shooting arm, and rangers safely recovering the dog and weapon,” added ATS director Bryce Clemence.

The anti-poaching unit, which is among anti-poaching units leading the line in dismantling dozens of notorious poaching syndicates, paid tribute to the rangers who handled the evidence with professionalism and took great care when crafting their statements.

“Collaborative efforts and teamwork are essential on the front-lines of conservation. ATS has been supporting Chipinge Safari Area this year with ranger training, it was an honour for us to work alongside the unit and support them in this apprehension, which was expertly handled from start to finish,” ATS said.

This article is reproduced here as part of the African Conservation Journalism Programme, funded in Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe by USAID’s VukaNow: Activity. Implemented by the international conservation organisation Space for Giants, it aims to expand the reach of conservation and environmental journalism in Africa, and bring more African voices into the international conservation debate. Written articles from the Mozambican and Angolan cohorts are translated from Portuguese. Broadcast stories remain in the original language.