There have been heartbreaking scenes at the funerals of two
rangers from Zimbabwe who drowned during an anti-poaching patrol in the lower
Zambezi Valley.
The past few days have been terrible for the Akashinga (the
brave ones) anti-poaching team in northern Zimbabwe.
Three rangers drowned earlier this week in a river while on
patrol, two of them giving their lives as they tried to rescue a colleague who
had got into difficulty.
During a patrol on March 25, 2018, five wildlife protection
rangers were on patrol in the lower Zambezi Valley. Three members of the team
began crossing a river while two others navigated around a cliff face. While
Rangers Tendai Hungwe, Edzai Malunga and Tarzman Foma crossed the river, one
began to struggle. The other two quickly came to her aid. Tragically, all three
drowned.
Zimbabwe Republic Police officers were immediately notified
and responded to the location where the bodies of the rangers were recovered.”
The International Anti-Poaching Foundation says the local
community has come together to show their support for this team during the
funerals. One of the services is still to be held.
Founder Damien Mander said on Facebook that the 30 women on
the Akashinga team had insisting on digging the graves themselves, refusing to
pass the shovels to local men.
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