Urgent Apeal for Hwange National park

by Friends of Hwange
(21st August 2015)

WE ARE URGENTLY APPEALING FOR DONATIONS OF CASH OR DIESEL, NO MATTER HOW SMALL, TO KEEP THE WATER PUMPS IN HWANGE NATIONAL PARK RUNNING SO AS TO AVERT DISASTER IN 2015.
Friends of Hwange Trust (FOH) was established in 2005 in response to the severe drought affecting HNP at that time which resulted in many animals perishing due to lack of food and water. The National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority no longer had the resources necessary to pump sufficient water to the pans and this situation has not changed to date. Circumstances this year are similar to the disastrous season of 2005, and each and every donation ensures an extra day of survival for countless animals within the Park boundaries.
Every animal, bird, insect or plant in a complete ecosystem exists in harmony. Each living creature plays its part in the whole picture. For decades, the heartbeat of HNP has been echoed by the beat of Lister engines that pump water to the pans in the dry season.
The rains this year were patchy and erratic, and the park is very dry. Although we have recently installed 7 new solar systems around the Main Camp area, these alone cannot pump sufficient water to meet the demand. We need to run diesel engines to pump water at a further 10 pans 24/7, each of which uses 200 litres (44 gallons) of diesel every nine days. We need to continue pumping until the rains arrive in mid-November.
We were fortunate enough to see the regal magnificence of Cecil the Lion many times, and we deplore his recent killing in the strongest possible terms. But we would like to stress that FOH does not focus on individual animals or individual species. We support the welfare of all the species in HNP, and we guarantee that every dollar donated directly benefits the animals. It is due to much loyal support that we are able to count our efforts to preserve the pulsating life in this amazing wilderness a success to date. This year is a crisis year, and we need help.
To donate please visit www.friendsofhwange.com or email dave@friendsofhwange.com