MCS NEWSLETTER 119

1 – SPRING

Winter changed to spring in late July, and the sun returned after weeks of miserable grey cloud and chill winds.  The Matopos basked in the relative warmth, and it was time to get out again.  And as always, the Matopos had plenty to offer.  Great dwalas in their yellow lichen swept down to wooded valleys, where the trees held aloft either their bare branches or their autumn colours.  This year the aloes have been particularly noticeable and the at the time of writing the Aloe exclesa are reaching their prime.  Great red spears amongst the grey woodlands.

Every season in the Hills has its particular charm, but there is something special when the aloes burst into colour against an otherwise plain background.

First off, the blocks are the Aloe chabaudeii which lifts its pink flowers in May.  This is followed by the Aloe greatheadii with despite being the smallest of the aloes, sends its dusty pink flowers nearly two meters above the golden grass.  The red-hot poker Aloe acculeata follows closely with its brilliant orange turning gold flowers that attract such attention.  And then it’s the turn of the Aloe excelsa, mostly red, with individual flower stalks up to 75cm in length.  Occasionally spectacular orange excelsa are found, and usually with more heads than the red.  And the rarest of all, the bi-coloured excelsa turns from red to white as it opens.

2 – NEXT EVENT

Don’t forget your Sunday picnic lunch and drinks!

3 – REPORT BACK

Ten tough members made their way out to The Farmhouse on what must have been the worst winter day of the year.  With temperatures plummeting to 13°C, a bitter wind, and up to half-an-inch of rain, it was a forbidding day.  But we were able to enjoy a day out all the same.

As usual the visit started with a cup of tea, under shelter at the “Top Camp” at the Farmhouse, as the rain drummed down on the IBR roof.  Once the rain and guti lifted we managed a delightful walk along the dwalas, with interesting views.  Realising that the rain was on its way back we turned at the summit and raced for home, reaching the camp just before the weather closed in again, and revived ourselves with yet another cup of tea.

Thereafter we enjoyed various drives on the property, with some game viewing which was unexpected given the weather.  Any self-respecting animal was well tucked up in the trees.  Lunch followed at the main Farmhouse facility with heaters on, and early in the afternoon the last members headed for home.

Once again, the Hills showed that despite the weather there is always something to do and enjoy!  Much appreciation to Barney and Kyle for their hospitality.

4 – RAINFALL

An unusual season finally came to an end.  The late rains have had a positive impact in the Hills with most rivers and streams still flowing into August, and wetlands still very wet.

Western Matopos 544mm and Eastern Matopos 658mm (80% of average) as of 30 June 2022.  Bulawayo 665mm (110% average)

5 – WETLAND BUILDINGS FACE DEMOLITION

NewsDay 3 June 2022.

Hundreds of buildings constructed on wetlands across the country face demolition after a special committee was set up to remove the illegal structures.  The committee comprises officials from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), police, the City of Harare, Chitungwiza Municipality, Ruwa Local Board and Epworth Local Board.  Harare Provincial Affairs secretary Tafadzwa Muguti said the committee would deal with the mischief by land barons who have been invading land reserved for other developments.  “There has been a resurgence of land invasions by land barons in Harare Metropolitan Province with land invasions taking place in most of our wetlands and land earmarked for development projects.  Recently land barons invaded the Monavale Vlei which is one of the world’s acclaimed Ramsar sites,” Muguti said.

6 – STUDENTS IN MATOBO STRUGGLE TO PASS EXAMS

Matobo residents have blamed the poor pass rate in the district on low budgetary support to schools in the area.  They made the remarks at a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee meeting on budget, finance and economic development on sustainable development held in Maphisa on Thursday.  Matobo youth initiative representative, Decent Dube said government should allocate more funds to the education sector, with a particular focus on rural schools.  “There are schools that recorded a zero percent in the Grade 7 final examinations because schools here have a shortage of teachers.  The government should allocate more funds to the education sector to employ more teachers,” Dube said – Southern Eye, 4 June 2022.

7 – MINERS DIGGING DEEPER IN NATIONAL PARKS 

The Standard, 28 Feb 2022

Mining activities are still taking place in Zimbabwe’s national parks, defying a government ban announced last year, according to a new report by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela).  Government last year banned mining activities in national parks following an outcry against a Chinese firm that had been exploring for coal in the famous Hwange National Park.  The ban came after campaigners took the government to court to prevent potential ecological disasters.  Two firms had been given a licence to explore for coal in the national park, which is home to more than 40 000 elephants and the endangered black rhino.  In its latest report, Zela said illegal and legal mining activities were still rampant in Hwange National Park, Chimanimani National Park and Umfurudzi National Park –

8 – AVOID FIRES IN WILDLIFE ZONES: GOVT

With acknowledgment to Vanessa Gonye, Newsday, 23 June,2022

ENVIRONMENT, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has urged communities in wildlife zones to avoid harmful practices such as igniting veld fires that are likely to increase human-wildlife conflicts and loss of lives due to loss of habitat.

Speaking at the Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards 2022 Exhibition in Harare on Tuesday, Ndlovu also said wildlife photography was important in finding solutions to the challenges communities face while interacting with nature.

“The exhibition is important to Africa in many ways.  It inspires the African people to embrace and engage with nature.  It raises awareness among our people about the importance of conserving nature which we depend on for our livelihoods and wellbeing.  It reminds us of the unique natural heritage endowed to us, and the unique relationship we have to our wild animals and wild spaces.

“It depicts some of the challenges that we encounter in our conservation journey such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, climate change, illegal wildlife trade and trafficking of wildlife products, among others.  In so doing, it provokes thoughts and ideas of potential solutions and policy responses to these conservation challenges.”

Ndlovu said the exhibition reminds people about the importance of co-existence between humans and wildlife since the photographs tell the African conservation story in a more vivid way than a thousand words would.

He bemoaned the massive loss of tourism business at the peak of the COVID -19 pandemic.

“Wildlife, as well as their habitats, are a valuable economic resource and at the heart of Zimbabwe’s world-renowned tourism business.  We witnessed massive declines in tourism numbers after COVID-19 hit, losing more than 80% of our tourism revenues between 2021 and 2022.  However, with support from organisations such as AWF (African Wildlife Foundation), we have managed to keep our national parks open and our rangers working… I hope that more Zimbabweans are able to photograph our wildlife and wild lands for a chance to be featured in exhibitions such as the one we are seeing here today,” Ndlovu added.

Speaking at the same event, AWF Zimbabwe country director Olivia Mufute said people working tirelessly to conserve wildlife must be rewarded through awards.  The Benjamin Mkapa African Wildlife Photography Awards 2022 Exhibition coincided with AWF’s 60th anniversary.

9 – ZIMPARKS WALKS FINANCIAL TIGHTROPE AS TOURISM BATTLES TO RECOVER

With acknowledgment to Tatira Zwinnoira, Newsday, 27 June 2022

THE Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) is navigating through some of its toughest times in decades.  The agency, which is tasked with a difficult task of overseeing the southern African country’s rich wildlife endowment, says it is walking a financial tightrope this year.  In its 2022 budget, the authority projected incomes to come in at US$22,8 million, giving it impetus to carry out its crucial interventions across wildlife estates.

The authority based its projections on faster tourism industry recovery as pandemic fears fizzle out.

However, the scenario is completely the opposite.  Along the way, subdued tourism receipts have continued, even as the authority says the outlook is positive going by the trend so far.

The tourism sector generates the bulk of ZimParks’ income, while it earns donations from non-governmental organisations that came in at US$1,75 million in 2021 and is expected at US$1,33 million this year.

According to Precious Mhaka, chief finance officer at the agency, management has reviewed forecasts down to US$16 million after taking into account actual developments on the ground.

This is about US$6,76 million below budget and the slower than expected revenues are likely to hold back the execution of crucial developments.

In terms of expenditure, Mhaka says ZimParks is expecting expenses of US$14 385 303, which will translate to about US$2 million surplus.

ZimParks management has acted after the slower than expected tourism recovery, rolling out a cost-cutting regime to tame runaway expenses.

Cost cutting measures are generally painful, but downward reviews of nearly 18% compared to last year, are seen helping the authority make a surplus, and stirring the ship past the rough waters as tourism gains traction, albeit at a much slower pace than initially projected.

If all ends up as planned, the projected surplus will represent a significant positive trajectory for an authority that reported a deficit in 2021, when income of US$14,1 million, was almost US$3 million lower than US$16,91 million in expenses.

In 2020, ZimParks experienced revenues of US$10,42 million against expenses of US$13,71 million for another deficit of US$3,28 million.

The last time the company had a surplus was pre COVID-19, in 2019, when the company recorded revenues of US$12,01 million against expenses of about US$8 million giving a surplus of just over US$4 million.

The global spread of COVID-19 from 2020 has significantly affected ZimParks’ ability to continue because the authority only relies on tourism revenue.

“Our revenues are not only affected by COVID-19, but by the price fluctuation that was taking place,” Mhaka said during a tour of the authority’s ivory stockpiles by Harare based diplomats.

The country holds 130 tonnes of ivory in its vaults.

When the pandemic spread across the globe in 2020, terrified governments responded by applying swift curbs to global travel, ordering millions of travel loving people to stay indoors as efforts to prevent contagion went into full gear.  The results of the drastic actions were catastrophic.

Over US$3 trillion was wiped out of international tourism markets, driving many operators into bankruptcy, or near bankruptcy.

The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) said arrivals plummeted by a staggering 90% in the first year of the calamity alone, responding to the grounding of global airlines and tight intercity curbs rolled out by Harare, whose pandemic management strategies have been ranked among the region’s best.

Last year was no different as it saw new variants of COVID-19 emerge leading to more travel restrictions not only locally, but internationally as well.

Before the global spread of COVID-19, in 2019, Zimbabwe’s tourism receipts were US$1,24 billion and after the pandemic spread globally the following year in the southern African nation earned US$359 million.

Last year, tourism receipts only rebounded to US$397 million a year, an 11% uptick from 2020 as recovery from the pandemic continues, according to the ZTA.

“For 2022, as we speak right now, we have actually collected about an equivalent of US$3 million from January to April, and we are riding on a loss, a deficit, of about US$826 000.  Meaning to say, we are actually in a dire situation as the authority.  If there are issues of funding, this is actually one other area that is important that we are supposed to look at,” Mhaka said.

“On average, the authority requires about US$1,5 million (per month) to function very well in terms of revenue, but as we speak right now, we are managing to generate US$800 000 so there is that deficit of about US$700 000 which is accumulating every month”.

In a normal year, the 2022 expenses would be the budget.  But, due to the authority having debtors, higher staff costs and experiencing exchange losses its expenditure does not cover all their obligations.

Thus, the authority has had to prioritise essential expenses, hence, the higher budgeted figure compared to the expenses expected for the year.

“The Authority had outstanding debtors amounting to US$8 351 601 of which US$6 860 778 (82%) was owing for over 365 days.  Some of these outstanding balances were lease rentals dating back to 2010,” reads the Auditor-General’s report on ZimParks financials for 2019.

“However, there was no evidence that management had invoked the termination clause of the lease agreements.  Furthermore, some operators had either expired or unsigned lease agreements.” Lease agreements and rentals is a major revenue source for ZimParks.

Other revenue generators include boating facilities, accommodation units, annual registration fees, permits, servicing facilities, law enforcement through tickets and fines, hunting, selling park products, training facilities, investment, and trading facilities.

However, ZimParks earns a huge chunk of its revenue through conservation fees from land and water bodies under the authority, charges that fund the authority’s ability to conserve its land and water properties.

Mhaka said in terms of expenses, the authority needs money for anti-poaching and law enforcement, park management expenses, scientific research and international relations, training, development, tourism, commercial activities, general administration costs, and staff costs.

“The staff costs actually do take much of our expenditures in the organisation,” he said.

ZimParks requires an average of US$178 000, monthly, to pay its workers that are slightly above 2 000 and around 700 to 900 contract workers with the authority needing an additional 1 000 staffers.

“When things actually staggered, as you can see conservation fees in 2019 were about US$6,2 million, they came down to US$1,6 million (2020).  Look at our expenses now, they actually started to balloon.

“Our expenses went as far as US$13,7 million in 2020 (revenues US$10,42 million) and we actually had a loss/deficit of about US$3,28 million,” Mhaka said.

“But, still, under that circumstance, we managed to score some successes meaning we had so many austerity measures that the authority had to employ at that time.  In 2021, again, the same scenario.  Our expenditure went as far as US$16,91 million and as we proceeded the biggest cost was staff costs.”

ZimParks low revenues were alluded to by the Auditor-General, in her report on state entities and parastatals for 2020.

In the report, ZimParks transactions and balances in 2020 were not converted to local currency using an appropriate exchange rate that reflects the economic substance of its value as provided by International Accounting Standard 21, “The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates”.

“Subsequent to February 22, 2019, the Authority applied interbank exchange rates which came into existence, through Exchange Control Directive RU 28 of 2019 issued by the RBZ and was initially pegged at a rate of 2,5.  This was after a period of foreign currency scarcity and constrained exchangeability of bond notes, coins and electronic money to other foreign currencies,” reads the 2020 report.

“No assessment was carried out to show appropriateness of the interbank rate to the existing economic environment.

“The interbank rate and the exchange rate of 1:1 applied on comparative amounts does not represent the price that can be received for foreign currency as many were unable to access foreign currency through the interbank market,” it added.

Without implementing the appropriate exchange rate, ZimParks revenues could have actually been less while its expenditures could be higher in 2020.

The auditor general made suggestions on how ZimParks could improve its revenue collection.

“It (ZimParks) could not differentiate between the domestic and international clients for billing purposes.  In addition, the system could not allow the allocation of the rates of conservation fees which are dependent on the different activities intended by the client,” the Auditor General’s 2020 report read.

“The fee per room, per night, per person needs to be identified to facilitate the total bill in case of group bookings.  Domestic and International clients are charged different rates therefore it is necessary for the system to indicate the type of client billed.  There was no adequate segregation of duties within the booking system, so the supervisor could create, void, and complete a booking.”

The Auditor General said invoices were not being generated sequentially to allow sequence tests to be performed in order to confirm whether all invoices were captured in the revenue system.

“This test was necessary given the fact that the Authority was partially automated.  Manual receipts were captured in the system at the reporting stage,” the Auditor General’s 2020 report continued.

“Therefore, I could not trace receipts to the schedule or tariffs and verify whether all manual receipts were subsequently captured in the system to determine completeness, accuracy and classification of revenue.”

In response, ZimParks has rolled out a revenue receipting Point of Sale System (ZimParks-ICE POS) starting with Victoria Falls on pilot test bases.

The idea is to ensure that all transactions should obtain a cluster-based system reference for completeness purposes.

“However, due to the limited revenue inflows owing to the COVID-19 impacts, the implementation process is being delayed by the significant investment costs associated with networking, back power, infrastructure and manpower restructuring that comes along with the introduction of any new revenue collection system,” read ZimParks response to the Auditor General.

This is why ZimParks’ has aggressively been pushing for the sale of its ivory stockpile and its six to seven tonnes of rhino horn to realise millions of dollars in revenue which is banned.

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Cites, enforced on July 1, 1975, to protect endangered wildlife animals, the sale of wildlife products from endangered species is prohibited.

Ivory sales, in particular, were banned in 1989.

The last time Cites was successfully pressured by African and Asian countries into allowing the sale of ivory, in particular, was in 1999 and 2008.

This is why in a recent declaration endorsed by the Zimbabwe government and those of Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zambia, challenged Cites as all of these countries have significant elephant populations beyond their individual capacity.

In Zimbabwe, elephants were part of the wildlife animals that killed 68 people last year, up from 60 in 2020.

The authority also reported that for 2022, up to April, at least 32 people had been killed.

However, cites is unlikely to give in as it is now putting pressure on top ivory source markets of Vietnam, China and Japan to phase out legal purchases of ivory.

Namibia is reportedly now selling elephants to countries in the gulf region, violating Cites, according to a recent broadcast dated June 3 from the French state-owned international news television network, France 24.

The governments of Botswana and Zimbabwe have also threatened to do likewise.

10 – CLIMATE CHANGE THREATENING AFRICA’S WILDLIFE

 With acknowledgment to Gary Mthombeni, Newsday, 13 July, 2022

THE African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) has expressed concern over depleting water sources in Africa’s wildlife parks, which might increase human-wildlife conflict as animals search for drinking water in human settlements.

In a tweet yesterday, AWF said:  “Africa’s animals, landscapes and rural communities bear the brunt of #climatechange.”

During the 2021 rainfall season, Hwange, in Matabeleland North province received 148 millimetres of rainfall in January, 144 millimetres in February, 70 millimetres in March, 0,25 millimetres in April and no rains from May to July.

The area is also prone to human-wildlife conflicts as animals search for drinking water during the dry season.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Tinashe Farawo yesterday told Southern Eye that water shortages at Hwange National Park were usually experienced during the dry seasons of September and October.

“At the moment we are not experiencing the water problems because we usually experience the water problems around September to October.

“Over the past two years we have experienced good rainfall.  Hwange National Park is also run by 100% borehole water.  Whenever there is drought, water tables are low, and we use the borehole water.  The water that we got from the rains early this year is also still available,” Farawo said.

11 – VILLAGERS BLAME CLIMATE CHANGE ON LOST TRADITIONS

With acknowledgment to Irene Moyo, Newsday, 14 July, 2022

LUPANE villagers in Matabeleland North province have blamed climatic shocks affecting their area to the abandonment of cultural practices such as rain-making ceremonies.

Sibangilizwe Ndimande, a villager from Pupu said communities had abandoned the culture of conducting rain-making ceremonies, which he believes has resulted in climate change.

“The climate has indeed changed judging from where we come from.  Long back it used to rain a lot and people really did not have a problem with water shortages because they followed their culture,” Ndimande said during a Lupane Youth Development Initiative discussion on how communities can adapt to climate change.

“When the rainy season came, people gathered and performed traditional dances in their respective areas where communities asked for rain.  In Tsholotsho they had a rain-making ceremony whereby elderly women and young girls gathered and prayed for rain.  Traditionally men are prohibited in those ceremonies which are performed where there is water.  With the proper implementation of these traditional practices, the rains would come soon after the ceremony,” he added.

A villager from Ndimbili, Sihlobo Mpofu said modern practices had resulted in climate change.

“Culture has been abandoned, and communities are suffering.  Hunger and starvation are now the order of the day, and the rainfall patterns nowadays do not sustain the needs of the community.  We now need interventions from the government.

“We need irrigation equipment so that we can start farming projects to get money and food security since there is inadequate rainfall in our area.

“We usually experience little or no rainfall, and there is only wind and cold weather.  The harvests are no longer enough for commercial purposes.  We only harvest to eat,” Mpofu said.

Recently, communities in Matobo district also experienced water shortages due to erratic rains.

The Matopo Youth Development Initiative said available water sources such as boreholes were now overwhelmed and failing to cope with demand as existing dams usually dry up long before the next rainfall season.

12 – GOLF COURSE AND HOTEL COULD COST VICTORIA FALLS ITS WORLD HERITAGE STATUS

With acknowledgment to Jane Flanagan, Saturday July 16, 2022, The Times

The United Nations will deliver an ultimatum to the governments of Zimbabwe and Zambia to immediately halt unsanctioned development at Victoria Falls or risk losing its unique heritage status, according to documents seen by The Times.

UNESCO officials conducted a recent visit to the site to “assess the potential threat” to the natural wonder from plans for lodges, a golf course and a hydroelectric dam.  The area’s wildlife migration routes and unique rock structures, as well as world’s largest sheet of falling water, earned its world heritage site status in 1989.An unusually punchy report for the next meeting of the world heritage committee warned that the southern African site is “facing increasing threats” from a number of developments inside the protected area which threatens its special status.

Praz disowns Vic Falls project: The Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Praz) has dissociated itself from permits issued to two firms by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to set up commercial enterprises on the Cataract Island and Rainforest at the heart of Zimbabwe’s foremost tourism site, the Victoria Falls, emerging details show.  As reported by the Zimbabwe Independent last week, ZimParks, who are the third respondent in a High Court application, is facing a lawsuit from Lawrence Benjamin Norton alongside nine other applicants for issuing permits to Adage Success and Scan- ner Investments who intend to set up commercial operations close to the falls.  The court case was filed in May this year at the High Court in Harare.  The Environmental Management Agency (Ema) and Praz are cited as respondents in Norton’s application, who is seeking to “prevent the development of commercial interests at the Cataract and Rainforest sites”.  In February, United Nations agency Unesco noted that the Victoria Falls “is facing increasing threats from individual and cumulative infrastructure developments, whose footprints are inside the property”.  At the heart of Norton’s application lies the question of the involvement of Praz and Ema in the issuance of permits to the two companies without going to tender.  Praz this week told the Independent that they were not involved in issuing the permits.  The two companies are cited as first and second respondents in Norton’s application – Independent, 5August

13 – FIREWOOD POACHING RILES ENVIRONMETALISTS

With acknowledgment to Silas Nkala, Newsday, 25 July 2022,

Rampant firewood poaching, driven by the country’s increased power outages, has riled conservationist group, Isandla Esihle/Ruwoko Rwakanaka, which has called on authorities to intervene to stop the forestry plunder.

The organisation, led by the National Tree ambassador Never Bonde, aired its concerns in a petition to the Minister of Environment Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu and copied to the ministry’s permanent secretary, Environment Management Agency (EMA), Forestry Commission and Allied Timbers Company.

The concern comes as Zesa Holdings recently increased load shedding due to depressed generation at Hwange and Harare thermal power stations including loss of one unit that produces 125 megawatts at Kariba Hydro-electric Power Station.

The intermittent power cuts have resulted in urban residents resorting to firewood as the readily available and affordable alternative energy source.

“In recent investigations carried out in different towns and cities, this office expresses concern after establishing that there are mushrooming firewood and charcoal dealers in towns and cities.  During this exercise, it was established that most firewood dealers have no licences while some hold expired licences, hence the need to make a follow-up by relevant authorities to ensure renewal of these documents,” Bonde said.

He further noted that some illegal dealers produce and sell charcoal not classified in the licences issued.

“Firewood and charcoal find their way into towns where there is a ready market due to hiked electricity charges and other environmentally friendly alternative energies.  We call for a combined effort from stakeholders to carry out checks on firewood dealers in their areas, asking for and validating licences held.  Further, the government must review the schedule of fines for perpetrators of environmental crimes and the registration application fees for dealers,” Bonde added, appealing to the Forestry Commission to increase its visibility in small towns where some of these crimes go unabated.

The minister is yet to respond to the issues raised.

14 – SOCIETY CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

20^th August 2022                       Matopos Heritage Trail Run

18^th September 2022                  Field Trip

20^th November 2022                  Annual General Meeting

24^th November 2022                  Matopos Classic MTB

15 – MEMBERS NOTEBOOK

Subscriptions

Subscriptions for the year 1 October 2021 to 30 September 2022 are now overdue.  Please ensure that your subs are up to date There has been no increase in rates.

US$ 20             Individual/Family

US$    5            Pensioner/Student

US$100            Corporate

If you need any information, please contact matoboconservatiosociety@gmail.com

MCS Branded Apparel

The Society has a small stock of sleeveless fleece jackets, in olive green with orange MCS logo, available at US$20 each.  They are ideal for the cool mornings and evenings.  We also have stocks of hats and caps at $10 each.  CD’s and shopping bags are also available at $5 each

Additional branded apparel will be ordered on request.  Regret prices cannot be confirmed until the order is finalised.  Please place orders before 30 September 2022 for:

1. Woven cotton shirts in light khaki or stone with MCS logo embroidered in orange. Short or long sleeve
2. Knitted cotton golf shirts in “bush” colour as available with MCS logo embroidered in orange. Short sleeve only

Please send orders, specifying sizes required, to the Secretary via WhatsApp +263 71 240 2341

Website

The MCS website www.matobo.org is updated whenever new material is available.  A recent innovation has been the “Newsletter Archives” page, which now has every newsletter since the Society’s inception.  The “Resources” page has the following available for download:

• MCS Constitution
• Matobo Bird C/L
• Matobo Butterfly C/L
• Matobo Aloe/Grass/Orchid C/L
• Matobo Tree/Shrub C/L
• Matobo Herpetofauna C/L
• Matobo Mammal C/L
• Map of Rhodes Matopos National Park
• MCS Project List
• Bibliography of Matobo World Heritage Site (prepared by Paul Hubbard)

Member suggestions and contributions for the website are welcome.

Please email to matoboconservationsociety@gmail.com

Facebook

We have revamped our Facebook page “Matobo Conservation Society”.  We continue to update our Facebook page; we welcome any contributions from Members.  Go to “Matobo Conservation Society” on Facebook, and “like” the page to ensure you get regular updates.  Over 1,000 people are following us on Facebook.

The Natural History of the Matobo Hills

This MCS publication is available at the Natural History Museum, or from the Treasurer for US$30.  Arrangements can be made to send by registered mail anywhere in Zimbabwe for an additional US$5, or outside Zimbabwe for an additional US$10.  Please email matoboconservationsociety@gmail.com