There is still an opportunity for golfers to play their part in conserving Zimbabwe’s wildlife by supporting the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit’s (VFAPU) annual fundraising Golf Day, to be held in Harare on September 21.

Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit scouts on patrol around Victoria Falls.

The field is filling fast but there is still space for more teams to enter, as well as for businesses or individuals to sponsor greens, tee-boxes and prizes for the event, organised and sponsored by the hospitality group, Africa Albida Tourism.

VFAPU Head of Operations, Charles Brightman, said the $24,972 raised at the Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club event last year was vital to ensure that its operations against all forms of poaching in the Victoria Falls region could continue. 

“Our supported operations last year produced positive results, where a total of 245 poachers were apprehended, and we were able to save a buffalo, a giraffe and several warthogs injured by poaching activities,” commented Brightman. “VFAPU was also instrumental in saving a pangolin from poachers, which was rescued after an under-cover operation.”

During 2017, VFAPU also removed 388 wire snares from the bush around Vic Falls, according to Brightman.

“The annual VFAPU Golf Day is such an important event, providing necessary funds and support for the unit, and we look forward to seeing all the teams on the course soon,” said Brightman.

Africa Albida Tourism Chief Executive, Ross Kennedy said: “VFAPU has always been a major part of our corporate social responsibility programme, and we continue to support it nearly 20 years later.”

It is significant that all money raised through the Gold Day goes directly to VFAPU, and in the last six years alone $115,000 has been raised for the unit through this event, according to Kennedy.

Up to 144 players, making up 36 teams, participate in the VFAPU Golf Day, and will include lunch, entertainment, prizes and a charity auction.

Since VFAPU was established in 1999, the unit has arrested 734 poachers, removed more than 22 300 wire snares, and 224 mammals injured by snares which have been treated and released back into the wild.

VFAPU, which works in support of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, operate in a 50 square kilometre area around Vic Falls, and has 17 scouts patrolling seven days a week.

For more information on VFAPU Golf Day and how you can play your part in conserving Zimbabwe’s wildlife please e mail: golf@africaalbida.co.zw.