Imire Game Park
Annual Report
January 2009- December 2009

This year 2009 has been a year of great reward and harsh survival. Imire's commitment to the wildlife industry have rewarded Imire with the privilege of custodianship of a pair of breeding white rhino in October 2009, we are deeply honoured. This was definitely the highlight of the year; we received a four year old male and a three year old female. Whilst we had initial problems with them trying to adjust to their new environment, they have now settled in the Matabwa section, unfortunately the fence line on the Idube boundary needs constant repair to prevent them from breaking out. At time of print, we are still trying to get them feeding on game feed, this will, however, be a process that can only be achieved over time as they become more familiar with their new surroundings. The two white rhino were dehorned on arrival whilst in November, 3 of the 4 black rhino were dehorned by Dr. Foggin. This sadly is a vital exercise to protect the rhino from poachers. Tatenda remains too small to be dehorned yet; his time will come next year.

2009 has generally been a successful year; however, problems remain with the poaching from surrounding settlers on the plains game. Whilst we must be grateful to the anti poaching unit and the rhino and elephant guards that there have been no incidences with rhino or elephant poaching we suffered numerous losses, especially giraffe and zebra who continue to be poached for their hide. Impala, especially their young have become prey to intruding hunting dogs, as well as jackal, whilst eland, kudu and waterbuck are regularly shot for the game meat.

Another addition to the Imire family was Katanga, the first elephant to be born on Imire, hence the name. Whilst we had initial fears that he would be too premature, he has filled out and continues to get stronger as he now has started to feed on supplementary cubes. His mother, Mundebvu, needs constant monitoring as she can be very protective. The two elephant bulls, Makuvusi and Toto have become a little volatile towards the end of the year and will soon need their GnRH vaccinations.

A sad loss to the game park this year was the death of Kuda, our 8 year old male lion. Dissection revealed that a bite from a venomous snake was the cause of death. Kuda was replaced by a lion from Antelope Park, although he arrived as an aggressive misfit, he has developed a good relationship with his female companion, Pop. Another loss was two ostrich, both which seem to be poisoned, a sad loss as we made a huge effort to sustain the numbers after importing four ostriches. It is evident they are under enormous as the two lodge section ostriches were also killed last year.

The plains game is exploding in some departments and is very stagnant in others. The impala, eland, Blesbok, wildebeest and jackal push the boundaries in terms of our carrying capacity. Zebra, giraffe, kudu, reedbuck, Tsessebe and waterbuck have numbers that are ideal for the game park. There is an obvious stagnation in the numbers of Nyala and Sable, the reason for this most definitely seems to be supply of game feed as the lodge sable are doing very well with a constant supply of cubes, two Nyala have moved to the lodge section to capitalise on this food. The number of python in the Nyala section caused problems at the beginning of the year as the killed at least two Nyala young. At the end of the year it has become noticeable that the warthog numbers far exceed our carrying capacity for the game park.

Through fierce marketing skills, the tourism on Imire has risen remarkably throughout the year helping Imire to maintain our status in the industry as one of the leading tourist destinations in Zimbabwe. We have managed to survive the rollercoaster of escalating prices and hyperinflation that has hit so many lodges and tourist destinations. Our policy on educational tours and survival courses for the underprivileged and school children of Zimbabwe has seen 51 buses with 1327 kids come through the game park, with education on conservation being the major thrust as well as giving the kids the joy of witnessing wildlife in their natural environment. Community participation is a prime requisite for Imire.65 kraal leaders and chiefs were invited on an educational tour, with Imire respecting the value of a good relationship with the surrounding community in order to protect the wildlife within. In Sept a 2day workshop was initiated with the surrounding rural schools in respect to the environment. A rural football match was played in memory of the loss of the Imire breeding rhino herd, it was a great success with shirts handed out with Protect the rhino of Zimbabwe printed on the backs.



John Olivey
Game Park Manager
Imire Safari Ranch

022 22094
0912 522201
Skype john.travers50
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www.imiresafariranch.com