Wildlife activist uses arts to fight poaching
Tusk Wildlife Ranger in Africa 2020 award winner, Amos Gwema is planning to do an extensive community campaign with Shangano Arts to raise awareness on poaching. Last year, Gwema collaborated with Shangano Arts to raise awareness on the wildlife crime using drama and poetry.
“I am planning to do an extensive community awareness campaign with Shangano Arts, possibly to cover the whole country if resources permit,” Gwema told Standard Style.
“I want to cover areas like Tsholotsho, Binga and Plumtree, among others. Let me safely say the whole of Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South and even possibly covering the whole country.”
He said the rural community is taken advantage of by those from urban areas who promise them “gold”.
“The rural community needs to be taught that ‘If you see something, say something’ …this refers to wildlife conservation,” he said.
“The community is taken advantage of by those from urban areas who promise them hefty amounts of money for supplies of ivory and pangolins, among other natural resources.
“But all that is lies, so the aim is to teach the rural community that crime does not pay.
“Some willing wildlife crime ex-convicts will also be engaged to pass the message to the community based on their experiences while in prison.”
Gwema applauded the community of Hwange for being aware of issues to do with wildlife crime.
“I have been doing collaborations with Shangano Arts to teach the community of the dangers of committing wildlife crime and others did listen like the villagers who last year handed back a pangolin to authorities,” he said.
“The campaign I have been doing, the response is really good. Illegal possession of live pangolin and ivory both attract a nine-year jail sentence.”
Gwema said his aim was to work with various artistes in the country.
Shangano Arts Festival director, Petros Ndhlovu said: “Last month, two youths under chief Hwange discovered two dead elephants and reported them to the Zimparks, thanks to the awareness campaigns done in Hwange communities by Shangano Arts and Community Action Wildlife Trust.”